The evening air carries a slight chill as the sun fades, leaving behind traces of amber in the sky. I stand by the window, absently watching the lights flicker on across the town. It feels like another life out there—so distant, yet so close. The weight of the day has settled into my shoulders, and the only thing keeping me grounded now is my phone, which buzzes with another notification.
Theo's email stares at me from the screen, like an invitation and a question all at once. I want to respond, but there's a hesitation in me, a sense that this email deserves more than a quick reply. I let out a deep breath, tapping the screen to open it again.
It's his words, the way they seem to land in that space inside me that I don't like to visit. I skim the message once more, running my thumb across the screen. The weight of his concern, gentle but piercing, makes something twist inside me. I feel this strange mix of longing and sadness that I don't know how to interpret.
