𝗧𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗜𝘁 (𝘚𝘢𝘱𝘯𝘢𝘱)

𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻

The days following Taylor's departure were filled with a mix of routine and longing for both Taylor and Nick. The initial excitement of their renewed relationship had given way to the reality of long-distance challenges. They both found comfort in their daily rituals, but the absence of each other's presence was a constant reminder of the miles between them.

Taylor's days were filled with work and attempts to keep busy, but the quiet moments often found her reaching for her phone, wishing for a text or a call from Nick. She made a habit of sending him good morning and good night messages, along with random texts throughout the day to let him know she was thinking of him.

Nick, on the other hand, adjusted his schedule to accommodate their time zone differences. He often found himself staying up late to catch Taylor before she went to bed, making sure their conversations were as meaningful as when they were together. Despite his efforts, there were moments when he felt the sting of missing her, especially during the quiet evenings when he would have otherwise been beside her.

To cope with the separation, both Taylor and Nick found solace in their shared interests. They scheduled regular video calls, set up virtual date nights, and kept up with each other's daily lives through social media and messages. Yet, despite their best efforts, they occasionally struggled with feelings of loneliness and the difficulty of not being physically present for one another.

Amidst the adjustments and the longing, Taylor decided it was time to share her news with an old friend. She reached out to George, someone she hadn't spoken to in a while but who had always been a reliable friend.

They arranged a call, and as Taylor settled into her favorite chair, she dialed George's number. The call connected, and George's familiar face appeared on the screen, a warm smile greeting her.

"Hey, Taylor! It's been a while," George said, his tone friendly and welcoming.

"Hi, George. Yeah, it's been too long. I've got some news to share with you," Taylor said, taking a deep breath. "I've reconnected with Nick. We've been seeing each other again, and it's been amazing, but he's still in the city while I'm back here."

George's eyes widened in surprise and curiosity. "That's great news, Taylor! But I can imagine how tough it must be with the distance. How are you handling it?"

Taylor nodded, her expression reflective. "It's been challenging. We're both trying our best to make it work, but it's not easy. We're adjusting to the time zone differences, and I miss him a lot."

George's face softened with understanding. "I can only imagine how hard that must be. If you ever need to talk or need a distraction, I'm here for you."

Taylor smiled gratefully. "Thank you, George. I really appreciate that. It means a lot to have a friend to talk to."

A few days after their initial conversation, George reached out to Taylor with the idea of reconnecting more frequently. He proposed setting up a group chat where Taylor, George, and Nick could all stay in touch, allowing Taylor and Nick to have a friendly face around and providing George with the chance to reconnect with an old friend.

Taylor agreed enthusiastically, and George set up a group chat with Nick. The first message was a simple, friendly greeting from George, and Nick responded with equal warmth.

"Hey, Nick! It's nice to see you sucked it up and fixed things" George joked 

Nick replied promptly, his tone dramatic "Well hello to you two asshole"

Over the next few weeks, the group chat became a lively space where they shared updates, jokes, and support. George and Nick's interactions were friendly and engaging, helping to bridge the distance between Taylor and Nick. Eventually adding Clay into the loop as well.

One evening, during one of their scheduled video calls, Taylor and Nick were joined by George. They had planned a casual catch-up, and the conversation flowed easily between the three of them. Taylor watched with a smile as Nick and George reminisced about old times and shared stories.

At one point, George turned to Nick with a teasing grin. "So, Nick, how are you finding the long-distance thing? I bet it's not as easy as it looks."

Nick chuckled, glancing at Taylor with a fond smile. "It's definitely not easy, but we're making it work. Taylor's been amazing through it all. We're both doing our best to stay connected."

George nodded, his expression supportive. "It's great to see how much you two care about each other. If you ever need someone to talk to or get some advice, just let me know."

Taylor felt a wave of relief and gratitude. The support from George made the distance feel a bit more manageable, and she appreciated having a friend who understood her situation.