LOVE BEYOND TIME

CHAPTER 4: SHE'S GONE

It had been a month since Mia and Ethan's friendship blossomed into something neither of them could quite define, yet it felt undeniably special. In the space of that month, they had become almost inseparable. They studied together, shared quiet evenings playing video games, sometimes baked, and even visited each other's homes. They laughed over burnt cookies and silly jokes, and in every small moment, their bond grew deeper.

Yet, despite the closeness, they never spoke about what lay beneath. Words like "love" or "feelings" were left unspoken, hovering in the air between them, heavy and uncertain. Maybe they were too afraid to acknowledge them, knowing their time was limited. Both Mia and Ethan were aware that life was fragile—after all, they were each carrying their own battles, trying to make the most of the time they had left.

One bright Saturday afternoon, they decided to go out on what they playfully called a "friend date." It was a lighthearted idea, meant to be nothing more than a fun outing, just the two of them. Mia had suggested it one night while they were studying, and Ethan had agreed immediately. There didn't need to be any special reason for them to spend time together, but today, for some reason, felt different to both of them.

Mia stood in front of her mirror that morning, brushing her hair as nervous energy danced in her chest. She didn't understand why she felt so anxious—it was just Ethan, after all. They had spent countless hours together in the past month. But as she adjusted the soft dress she had chosen to wear, she couldn't shake the feeling that today would be different. She tried to push the thought away, grabbed her bag, and headed out to meet him.

When she arrived at the café, Ethan was already there, sitting at a small table by the window. He looked casual, as he always did, in his usual hoodie and jeans. But there was a light in his eyes when he saw her that made Mia's heart skip a beat. He smiled softly, and Mia returned the gesture, feeling warmth spread through her.

"Hey," he greeted, his voice soft, as though the day itself carried a certain weight neither of them had anticipated.

"Hey," Mia replied, sliding into the chair across from him. The space between them was filled with a comfortable silence that had become their language over the past few weeks.

They ordered their food and settled into the kind of quiet that only comes from deep familiarity. Every now and then, Mia would glance at Ethan, her heart swelling with unspoken words. She didn't know why she felt this way today, why there was this strange anticipation buzzing beneath her skin. She didn't dare ask, though. Some things were better left unspoken.

Their food arrived, and they ate in companionable silence, the sounds of the café around them creating a soft backdrop. Ethan was just reaching for his coffee when his phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen and smiled faintly.

"It's my parents," he said, sounding a little excited. "They're probably calling from Grandma's place."

Mia smiled back, watching as Ethan answered the call. He had told her before how much he adored his family, especially his mother. Mia could still recall the way his eyes softened whenever he spoke about his mom. He had told her stories about how his mom always sent him care packages with homemade cookies or how she used to sing him to sleep when he was little. There was such love in his voice whenever he spoke about her.