Crossing States

Chapter 6

The day after their chance encounter, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to reach out. Seeing Luca again had stirred something in him—a mix of nostalgia, guilt, and an odd desire to reconnect. He had missed their friendship, even if he hadn't realized just how much until now. After hesitating over the message for what felt like hours, he finally sent a simple text, "Hey, you free to grab coffee sometime? We should catch up."

Luca stared at the message on his phone for a long time before responding. Part of him didn't want to go. It had been easier keeping Ethan in the past, as a memory of childhood summers, free from the complications of the present. But another part of him—perhaps the part that still missed the boy he once considered his best friend—was curious, drawn to the idea of seeing where this might lead. After a moment, he typed back, "Sure. How about tomorrow?"

The following afternoon, they met at a small café near campus. The space was quiet, filled with the sound of light chatter and the clinking of mugs, but to Luca, the atmosphere felt thick with tension. Ethan sat at a table near the window, waving Luca over with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. They exchanged awkward greetings, both of them aware that this wasn't the carefree reunion they might have imagined.

"So... how's college treating you?" Ethan asked after a long sip of his coffee, trying to break the ice. He leaned back in his chair, his usual confidence slipping just enough for Luca to notice.

"It's fine," Luca replied, shifting in his seat. He wasn't sure how honest he should be. Part of him wanted to downplay his struggles, not wanting to appear vulnerable in front of Ethan, who seemed so at ease with everything. "Classes are tough, but I'm managing."

Ethan nodded, his gaze drifting out the window before returning to Luca. "Yeah, same. Soccer's been keeping me busy, but it's fun. College is... different from what I expected, though." He hesitated, searching for the right words. "I don't know. I guess I thought things would just fall into place like they did in high school."

Luca could sense the vulnerability behind Ethan's casual tone. It wasn't the same confident, easygoing guy he'd seen yesterday. There was something more beneath the surface. Still, Luca didn't know how to respond. He felt disconnected, like they were talking in circles around the real issues—around the years that had created a rift between them.

"Yeah, I get that," Luca said quietly, stirring his drink with a slow, deliberate motion. "College is... a lot." He paused before adding, "It's weird, though, running into you like this. After all these years."

Ethan smiled, but it was tinged with uncertainty. "Yeah, it is. I honestly didn't think we'd ever see each other again." He let out a soft laugh, but the awkwardness hung between them like a weight. "Do you ever think about... you know, back then? The summers, the treehouse, all the stuff we used to do?"

Luca felt his chest tighten at the mention of their past. The memories came flooding back—the carefree days of climbing trees, whispering secrets, and imagining endless adventures. But those memories felt distant, almost like they belonged to someone else. The boy Ethan used to be wasn't the same person sitting across from him now.

"Yeah," Luca said, his voice quieter now. "I think about it sometimes."

Ethan leaned forward, his gaze softening. "I miss those days, you know? We were pretty much inseparable. I don't know why we drifted apart like that. I mean, I know it was because I moved, but..." He trailed off, his words hanging in the air between them. There was a look in his eyes—guilt mixed with longing, as if he was trying to reach back to a time when things were simpler.

Luca's heart twisted at the confession. He had wanted to hear those words for so long, to know that Ethan had thought about him, about what they had lost. But now, hearing it, it didn't feel the way he had imagined. The years apart had created a chasm that couldn't easily be crossed, and Luca wasn't sure if he was ready to try.

"I guess we both changed," Luca said, his tone neutral, but his eyes cast downward. "Things happen. People grow apart." He couldn't bring himself to look at Ethan as he spoke.

Ethan nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just... I don't know. Seeing you again, it makes me realize how much I've missed having you around. I know it sounds cheesy, but we were best friends, Luca. And I don't think I ever really replaced that."

Luca swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Ethan's words. He wanted to believe him, wanted to let himself feel the same pull that Ethan was clearly feeling. But he couldn't ignore the voice in his head that reminded him of the years Ethan had been absent, of the loneliness he had felt after their friendship faded away.

"I don't know, Ethan," Luca said after a long pause. "A lot of time has passed. I'm not sure we can just... pick up where we left off."

Ethan's face fell slightly, the hopeful spark in his eyes dimming. "Yeah, I get that." He leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming on the table as he considered Luca's words. "But maybe we can start over? I mean, we're both here, at the same school. It feels like... I don't know, maybe it's a sign or something. That we were supposed to find each other again."

Luca forced a small smile, but inside, he felt conflicted. He wanted to believe in the possibility of rebuilding their friendship, but something held him back. Could they really start over? Or had too much changed between them?

"We'll see," Luca said softly, his words noncommittal. "Maybe."

They sat in silence for a few moments, sipping their drinks, both lost in their own thoughts. Ethan seemed eager to push forward, to recapture the bond they once had, while Luca felt himself retreating, unsure if he was ready to open that door again.

When they finally stood to leave, Ethan clapped Luca on the shoulder, his smile more subdued this time. "Let's keep in touch, okay? We should hang out again soon."

Luca nodded, though the agreement felt tentative, unresolved. "Yeah, sure."

As they parted ways outside the café, both of them walked in opposite directions, each feeling the weight of their unresolved emotions. Ethan couldn't shake the strange pull he felt toward Luca, the desire to rebuild something that felt lost but not gone. Luca, on the other hand, remained guarded, wondering if they could ever truly reconnect or if their friendship was something best left in the past.

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