THE LIGHT BEYOND LOSS

A New Perspective

The first days of the new term at GIA passed by in a blur of classes, assignments, and catching up with friends. Livia was slowly getting back into the rhythm of school life, but something had shifted inside her during the break. The conversations with Jonas, the long hours spent reflecting in the maple garden, and the growing realization that time was moving faster than she had anticipated—it all weighed heavily on her.

She had thought about Jonas a lot, about what he meant to her and where they stood. But after all the introspection, she had made a decision. She wasn't ready for a relationship, not now. Not with everything still so uncertain. But even with that clarity, she knew she had to talk to Jonas. She had to let him know how she felt, to make sure they could continue their friendship without the weight of unanswered questions between them.

But finding the right moment was harder than she had expected.

One afternoon, about a week after returning to school, Livia found herself alone in the library. She had come there to study, but her mind kept wandering back to Jonas. She knew she couldn't keep putting it off. If she didn't talk to him soon, it would only make things worse.

As if on cue, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw Jonas's name on the screen.

Jonas: Hey, you free? I was thinking we could grab some coffee later.

Livia stared at the message for a moment, her heart skipping a beat. This was it—the opportunity she had been waiting for. She quickly typed a response.

Livia: Yeah, sure. How about 4 p.m. at the student café?

A few minutes later, his reply came through.

Jonas: Perfect. See you then.

Livia put her phone down and took a deep breath. She was nervous about the conversation ahead, but she knew it was necessary. She couldn't keep pretending everything was fine when there was so much left unsaid between them.

At 4 p.m. sharp, Livia walked into the student café. The air was warm with the smell of fresh coffee and the chatter of students unwinding after classes. She spotted Jonas sitting at a small table near the window, sipping on a cup of coffee. He looked up as she approached, a smile spreading across his face.

"Hey," he greeted her, standing up to give her a quick hug. "Glad you could make it."

"Of course," Livia replied, trying to sound casual. "I could use a break from studying anyway."

They both sat down, and for a few moments, they made small talk. Jonas told her about his latest antics with John, and Livia shared how busy her classes were already getting. But beneath the surface, Livia could feel the tension building. She knew they couldn't avoid the real conversation for long.

After a few minutes, she took a deep breath and decided to dive in. "Jonas, I've been meaning to talk to you about something."

Jonas looked at her, his expression curious but cautious. "What's on your mind?"

Livia hesitated for a moment, then continued, "I've been thinking a lot about... what you said before the break. About how you felt. And I just wanted to be honest with you."

Jonas's face softened, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—uncertainty, maybe, or anticipation.

"I care about you, Jonas," Livia said, choosing her words carefully. "You've been an amazing friend, and I don't want that to change. But... I don't think I'm ready for anything more than that right now."