Across the Ocean - Kyra Cooney-Cross

Chapter Six - Silent Street

It's now been a whole week since I'd seen or gotten a text from Kyra, and the silence was beginning to weigh on me. Every time my phone buzzed, I hoped it was her, but it never was.

 Instead, it was just the usual notifications or messages from back home. I kept myself busy at the Canteen, trying not to dwell on her absence, but it was hard not to. The absence of her texts, her presence, her laughter was louder than every other thought I had.

Three days ago, Steph came into the Canteen, her face lighting up when she saw me. She bounced over to the counter, exuding her usual energy. 

"Hey, Ella!" she was in her usual, tracksuits with a cap on.

"Hey Steph, how ya going?" I smiled punching in her usual. Skinny Flat White.

"I'm good! How did dinner with Kyra go last week?" she asked, her excitement palpable.

I forced a smile, trying to hide my disappointment. "It was great," I half lied, hoping Steph wouldn't notice the strain in my voice. 

"She said you were really busy this week and couldn't catch up," Steph replied, her enthusiasm dimming slightly as she readied her order.

My heart sank. Kyra had told her that? Why would she lie about me being busy? "Yeah, just a lot going on," I said, trying to sound casual, though the weight of her words stung.

Steph looked at me with a mix of sympathy and confusion. "Maybe you two will catch up after our game this weekend then?" she suggested, her tone hopeful.

"Yeah, that would be nice," I replied, eager to end the conversation before my emotions spilled over. I handed her the coffee, feeling a knot tighten in my chest.

"Thanks! See ya later then?" she said with a friendly wave, taking her coffee and heading out the door.

As the door closed behind her, the loneliness was back, taking up every thought, feeling and glimpse of bliss. 

The café felt quieter, emptier, despite the steady stream of customers. I went through the motions, taking orders, making drinks, and chatting with regulars, but my mind kept drifting back to Kyra.

I couldn't shake the feeling of rejection and confusion. What had I done wrong? Why had Kyra suddenly disappeared from my life after such a promising start?

 The questions gnawed at me, but I had no answers. I replayed our the last texts over and over, trying to find a clue, a hint of what might have gone wrong.

The weekend game that Steph mentioned was looming, what was she talking about? Maybe they had a games night planned? 

I couldn't help but hope that if there was a games night, Steph might invite me and it might give me an opportunity to see Kyra, to confront her, and to finally get some clarity. 

But the fear of facing her, of potentially hearing something I didn't want to, made my stomach churn. I was never good at confrontation, I mean I was okay at it. Only when I was standing up for something or someone other than myself. I was never a good self advocate. 

Despite the hurt and confusion, I knew I had to keep moving forward. The Canteen, my new friends, and this new chapter of my life in St Albans were important to me. 

I had to focus on the positive, on the things I could control, even as I longed for answers that seemed out of reach.

Getting home from work, I felt the London winter chill was freezing me to my core. The cold seemed to seep into my bones, mirroring the chill in my heart. It had been almost ten days since I last heard from Kyra, and her silence was a constant weight on my mind.