Crossing States

Chapter 3

The first few weeks after Ethan moved felt like a blur to Luca. The texts came regularly at first—quick updates about Ethan's new house, the size of his new room, and the new town that felt too big and too loud. They exchanged emails, filled with jokes and memories, as if trying to hold on to the friendship by reliving their shared past. But even through the screen, Luca could sense the distance creeping in.

Ethan's new life seemed worlds away. He had moved to a bigger city, with bustling streets and new faces everywhere. His texts soon started to include names of kids Luca didn't know, mentions of a new school, new friends, and new experiences. At first, Ethan tried to keep Luca in the loop, sending photos of his new neighborhood and stories about the kids he was meeting. But Luca couldn't shake the feeling of being left behind.

Meanwhile, back in their quiet suburban town, Luca found himself standing on the familiar street corners they used to roam together, but now alone. The swing set at the park creaked without Ethan by his side, and the treehouse in the backyard—their old kingdom—stood empty, a relic of a time that already felt so far away. He missed their shared adventures, the easy conversations, the way they used to just *be* without effort. And with every day that passed, he felt that familiar ache of loss growing deeper in his chest.

Luca's first days of middle school were rough. The halls felt too big, the faces unfamiliar, and without Ethan, it was harder to find his place. The kids in his class already seemed to have their groups, their shared memories, and Luca struggled to fit in. He found himself sitting alone at lunch more often than not, his phone resting beside his tray, waiting for a message from Ethan that came less and less frequently. When it did come, it was shorter, more rushed, as if written between moments in a life that no longer included him.

On the other side of the state, Ethan's life was speeding up. Middle school in his new town was a whirlwind of activity—bigger classes, after-school sports, and endless social events. At first, he made an effort to stay connected to Luca, but as the days went by, he found himself swept up in the excitement and challenges of his new life. His new friends were fun, always dragging him into some new activity, and before he knew it, entire weeks would pass without him texting Luca.

The guilt sat heavy in Ethan's stomach. He knew he should reach out more, keep his promise, but every time he tried, something seemed to get in the way—a game, homework, a new friend inviting him to hang out. And with each missed text, it got harder to bridge the growing silence between them. He missed Luca, but it was easier not to think about it. Easier to convince himself that they would pick up where they left off the next time they talked. But deep down, he knew things were changing.

Back in their hometown, Luca's loneliness deepened. He stopped checking his phone so often. When he finally did hear from Ethan, it was a rushed update about soccer practice or a funny story about a new friend. Luca tried to respond with enthusiasm, but the gap between them was widening, and the words felt hollow. It wasn't just the distance; it was the feeling that their worlds no longer aligned. Ethan was making new memories with new people, and Luca couldn't help but feel left behind, stuck in the shadow of a friendship that no longer felt as real.

As the months turned into a year, the texts became sporadic—brief check-ins that felt more like obligation than connection. Luca, who once looked forward to every ping of his phone, now dreaded the reminders of what they'd lost. Ethan's life had moved on, and though he still cared about his friend, it was harder to find space for someone who was no longer part of his everyday world.

The silence between them had grown into a chasm. The emails stopped. The texts became so infrequent that when Luca's phone buzzed, it wasn't Ethan he expected to hear from anymore. They had become strangers in each other's lives—boys who once couldn't imagine life without each other, now barely speaking, their bond reduced to distant memories.

Luca sat in the treehouse one final time, staring out at the empty yard, the weight of the past heavy on his shoulders. He didn't want to admit it, but he knew: their friendship was slipping away, and no amount of promises could bring it back.

（＊＾Ｕ＾）人（≧Ｖ≦＊）/（＊＾Ｕ＾）人（≧Ｖ≦＊）/（＊＾Ｕ＾）人（≧Ｖ≦＊）/（＊＾Ｕ＾）人（≧Ｖ≦＊）/