My Penpal

14- Building Conflict

The next day, Macy sat in her living room, phone in hand, staring at the contact information for Michael, Amelia's ex-husband. After a moment of hesitation, she hit call, determined to see if there was any way to rekindle a connection that had long since faded.

When Michael answered, his tone was brusque. **"What do you want, Macy?"**

**"I just wanted to let you know that Amelia has moved on,"** she said, her voice laced with a mix of concern and hope. **"She’s seeing someone new—someone really great. Maybe this could be an opportunity for us to talk things through, you know?"**

Michael’s chuckle was cold but didn’t fully mask the undercurrent of vulnerability. **"Honestly, I couldn’t care less about Amelia or what she’s doing."**

But inside, he felt a twinge of something different—a longing, a flicker of the feelings he thought he had buried. **"I mean, it’s whatever. She’s happy, right?"** he added, trying to sound indifferent.

Macy sensed the hesitation in his voice. **"But what if—"**

**"No 'what ifs,' Macy. Amelia and I are done. I’ve moved on,"** he replied, trying to convince himself as much as her.

Yet, as the words left his lips, he felt the weight of the truth pressing down on him. He couldn’t deny that a part of him still cared about Amelia, even if he had pushed those feelings aside in the name of moving forward. **"I don’t want to be involved in any of this drama."**

Macy sighed, sensing the conflict in him. **"You don’t even know what you’re missing! She’s a great person, and I think you both could still have something if you just tried."**

Michael’s silence spoke volumes. He was torn, battling the remnants of love and pride. **"I don’t want to try. I just... I can’t."** His voice was quieter now, almost a whisper.

Macy pressed on. **"But deep down, you still care for her. Why deny it?"**

The admission hung in the air between them. Michael finally broke the silence, **"Maybe I do, but it doesn’t matter. I messed up too much. Amelia deserves better than me."**

Macy could hear the pain in his voice and felt a flicker of hope. **"What if you showed her that you’ve changed? People can grow, Michael."**

**"It’s not that simple,"** he said, frustration creeping in. **"Every time I think of her, I remember all the reasons we fell apart. But I can’t shake the feeling that I still care. I just... I don’t want to hurt her again."**

Macy sighed again, this time with understanding. **"But avoiding her won’t help either. If you truly care, maybe you should talk to her. At least give her a chance to decide for herself."**

Michael considered her words, a battle of emotions raging within him. Finally, he spoke softly, **"I’ll think about it."**

They hung up, and Macy leaned back on the couch, pondering how to help her sister and Michael navigate the tangled web of their past. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but perhaps there was a chance for healing—and for love—to blossom again.

As for Michael, he stared at the wall, lost in thought, realizing that despite everything, Amelia still had a hold on his heart. The question remained: was he brave enough to confront his feelings and reach out, or would he let her slip away for good?

Great choice! Focusing on **Michael's Internal Conflict** will provide depth to his character and create emotional tension in the story. Here’s how you can expand on this element:

### Scene Outline: Michael's Internal Conflict

1. **Opening Reflection:**
   - Start with a scene where Michael is alone, perhaps sitting in a park or at a café.
   - **Flashback:** Introduce a memory that highlights a significant moment between him and Amelia, such as a cherished date or a pivotal argument. This memory should evoke strong emotions, illustrating the depth of his feelings.