MISS YOUR FACE - NOAH SEBASTIAN

003

Noah's gaze met mine as I stepped out of the bathroom, his expression a mix of uncertainty and something else I couldn't quite place. I swallowed hard, the familiar flutter of nerves returning. He cleared his throat, trying to bridge the gap that had formed over the years.

"Val," he started, his voice a low rumble. "Can we talk for a minute?"

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Sure. What's up?"

We moved to outside of the restaurant, away from the bustling crowd. The silence between us was heavy, charged with all the unspoken words and emotions that had accumulated over the years. Noah ran a hand through his hair, trying to find the right words.

"I, uh, I didn't expect to see you ever again," he began awkwardly. "Not after... well, everything."

I took a deep breath, my voice barely above a whisper. "Neither did I. It's been a while."

Noah nodded, his eyes searching mine. "I've been thinking a lot about the past. About us. And seeing you again, it brought back a lot of memories."

"Yeah," I replied, my heart pounding. "I've been thinking about it too. It's hard to just... forget."

He winced slightly. "I know. And I didn't mean for things to end the way they did. I left without really explaining why. I was just... scared to leave you and telling you to your face I wouldn't have wanted to leave, but I had to for you me and the band."

"It's okay," I said softly, trying to hold back tears. "I understand why you left. I mean, you had your own path to follow. It just wasn't easy."

Noah looked down, his hands shoved into his pockets. "I've missed you, Val. Not just as a friend, but as someone who... meant a lot to me. I guess I never really told you that."

My heart skipped a beat. "I missed you too. More than I cared to admit." He nodded, his gaze meeting mine again. "Seeing you today, it's clear you've grown a lot. You're doing amazing things, I'm very proud of you."

"Thanks," I said, feeling a mix of relief and sadness. "I'm trying my best. It's just... seeing you again, it brings up so much."

"I understand," Noah said, stepping a bit closer. "I hope- I hope we can figure out how to move forward. Not just for the collaboration, but for us. Maybe... reconnect in a way that makes sense for both of us."

I took a deep breath, considering his words. "I'd like that. But let's take it slow. We have a lot to sort through."

Noah smiled, a small, hopeful smile. "Yeah, slow sounds good. Just, let me know if you ever want to talk or catch up."

I returned his smile, feeling a sense of closure and a glimmer of new beginnings. "I will. Thanks."

"Anytime," Noah said softly. "Let's see where this takes us." As we stood there, the weight of the past felt a little lighter. The future was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, it felt like there was a chance for something new. As I'm about to go to my car  Noah took a deep breath, his eyes locking with mine as if searching for reassurance. "Val, before we wrap this up..."

I tilted my head slightly, waiting for him to continue.

"I'd really like to stay in touch. I mean, beyond just the professional stuff," he said, his voice soft but earnest. "Would it be okay if I had your number?"

My heart fluttered at the request, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. I nodded slowly, a shy smile forming on my lips. "Yeah, of course. I'd like that."

Noah's expression brightened, a look of relief and genuine happiness crossing his face. "Great. Let me give you mine, too."

We exchanged numbers, the simple act of typing our contact details into our phones feeling surprisingly intimate. As we finished, Noah looked up, his eyes meeting mine with a touch of vulnerability. "Thanks for agreeing to stay in touch," he said. "It means a lot."