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by Lencredemesnuits

by Lencredemesnuits

Zachary gives an embarrassed smile, then suddenly turns his gaze back to the almost fully set sun. His voice takes on a cold tone:
• "You should go home, Elisa. It's starting to get dark outside."
Why did he go to so much trouble to organize this meeting only to cut it short so quickly?
• "Well, I can stay a bit longer, you know... My mom thinks I'm having dinner at a friend's house."
• "Go home," he insists with authority.
His sudden coldness stuns me. A shiver runs through my entire body. Offended, I get up to leave.
• "Do you want me to drive you home?" he asks, getting up as well.
What nerve! I can't believe it. This guy just pushed me away in an instant, and now he wants to play the polite man who drives me home... Not a chance. I don't respond and quicken my pace towards the bus stop, without even looking at him.

* * *

• "You're already home, sweetie?" my mom asks, surprised.
• "Yes. I'm tired from the start of classes, I'm going to go rest."
• "But your evening with your friend, did it go well?"
• "Yes, yes, great."
• "What did you eat?"
• "Pizzas! Well, I'm off, Mom, I'm exhausted. Good night!"
I go upstairs, trying to hold back my tears so as not to worry her. As soon as I'm on my bed, I break down. I can't yet process the emotional rollercoaster I've just been through.
Like yesterday, I think for hours and struggle to fall asleep. Moreover, I'm starving but can't go downstairs to eat, at the risk of arousing my mom's suspicions. I receive a message notification. My heart secretly hopes it's Zachary, contrary to my pride that wants to stop me from looking...

📳 Sasha: "Hello, beautiful, do you want to have lunch together on Monday?"
I'm happy to hear from Sasha, even though I feel a bit of disappointment and frustration that it's not Zach who sent the text.

📤 "Hey, why not, yes. If you don't have anyone to eat with, you can join me, of course. 🙂"

📳 "Why do you think it's necessarily to avoid being alone that I'm asking you?"
📳 "You know, if that were the case, I could very well go with the people from my class. But I really enjoyed spending time with you today, that's why I'm asking. 😉"

📤 "So sweet 🥹🥰 The pleasure was mutual."

Without knowing it, Sasha really lifts my spirits.

📳 "Great, see you on Monday then, Elie 😘 Sleep well."

📤 "Thanks, good night to you too ☺️"

📳 "🫶😴"

Although I'm still anxious about seeing Zachary at the university, I finally fall asleep, my heart soothed by these messages full of kindness and budding friendship.

* * *
September 10, 2021
A week has already passed since that fateful meeting on a cliff, which ended in disaster. Seven days without any explanation. Seven days that Zachary has completely disappeared. I haven't seen him once at the university and haven't received a single message, not even to apologize or check on me. It seems he has simply vanished since that sudden turn of events.
I still often think about it. I want to move on, but the confusion I'm in makes it much harder. And I feel so alone in this story. I haven't confided in anyone, not even my mom or Sasha. I just want this episode to be erased from my memory as if it never happened.
Classes, however, are going well. Every lunchtime, I now meet Sasha at the cafeteria. It's become our new routine. Every day, we spend one to two hours together eating, and whenever an opportunity arises, whether between lessons or at the beginning and end of the day, we meet up as well.
Aside from this trouble with Zachary, we tell each other everything about our lives. I've never felt so close to someone so quickly as I do with her. And I increasingly enjoy her company. This girl is sweet, calming, funny, wise, and full of life. I feel so grateful that our paths crossed. I couldn't have dreamed of a better friend than Sasha.
Tonight, for the first time, we planned to meet outside the university. Well, officially to my mom, it's the second time, since she thinks I already met her in town for dinner, which was just an alibi to meet my mystery correspondent. Since it's Friday, and therefore the weekend, and my first week of classes went well, I'm allowed to spend the whole night at her place. On her side, her parents already left this morning for a romantic getaway and won't return until Monday. They know I'm coming and have no problem with it either.
As usual, I take the bus to Sasha's place. With my trusty headphones on, I lose myself in my thoughts, watching the scenery pass by through the window. As the bus crosses the city center, I daydream, imagining the lives of all the people I see.
Suddenly, during a stop of barely a minute or two during which new passengers board and settle in, my eyes stop on a couple walking away, hand in hand, towards the bar at the corner of the street. The woman is small, blonde, well-dressed, and wearing pretty red heels. The man is tall, thin, and has the same hair as Zachary. Their clothes match. I think that could have been us one day, this lovely couple visibly very much in love.
The bus starts again. Slowly, we reach their level and pass them. I then see their faces from the front. I especially notice the eyes of this young man... Damn, I can't believe it! It's really Zachary himself. There's no doubt about it. But what is he doing there with this girl? Is she his girlfriend or just a new conquest he's planning to dump before even sealing the deal? The bus turns, and their faces disappear into the distance.
Throughout the rest of the journey, questions continue to swirl in my head, as always since this mysterious guy entered my life and turned everything upside down. Once I arrive, I see Sasha, who came to the bus stop to wait for me. She sees me through the window, and her face lights up. She waves at me. It's almost therapeutic; seeing her smile instantly makes me forget all my worries.
I hurry to get off and greet her. I notice she's wearing makeup, which she usually never does. Her cheeks are highlighted with a lovely fresh pink, and her eyes are outlined with a nice and discreet eyeliner. She's also wearing a beautiful glittery gloss. It all suits her perfectly.
• "You're even more beautiful than usual, I see," I say, hugging her. "You can talk, you're always beautiful. How was the trip?"
The second she asks me this question, tears instantly well up in my eyes, despite myself. Sasha looks at me with a confused, puzzled expression.
• "Elie? Are you okay?"
• "I... I think I need to tell you something."