Back To You /Mialotte

Beginning

Day 1

It was like a nightmare that Charlotte couldn't seem to wake up from. Yesterday was a blur and haunted her memories. She had read through Mia's letter what felt like hundreds of times. Each time she read it, she hoped it would say something different.

' I want you to live your life to the full and take in everything that is possible. So I have a request for you. '

How dare she expect her to live her life to the full when she wasn't here. With what arrogance , she also dared to make a demand.

'I'm going to be away for a year. '

A whole year. How could she just disappear for a year and leave her behind like that? Who did Mia think she was?

' Go out and experience everything, go partying, date, discover your sexuality. '

Was Mia really so naive that she thought Charlotte would just do this? That she would simply swap what they had built up for a one-night stand. Did that also mean that Mia would do the same?

' I will come back, then you will know if I am really your forever person. '

Just yesterday morning, Charlotte would have said that Mia was her forever person. But just now, she was no longer sure. She didn't even know how she would react when Mia turned up again after a year.

Charlotte wanted to scream, she wanted to pack her things and look for Mia. Pull her back, bash some sense into her head. Ask her what that was all about.

Charlotte had tried, she had tried again and again to call her, to write her messages. But Mia's number no longer seemed to exist.

' I want you to live your life as if I never existed. '

That was the reality for Charlotte right now. It was as if Mia had never existed. All traces of her in the house had disappeared. Without the letter and the necklace around her neck. Charlotte wouldn't even believe that she was really real.

In all the chaos in her mind, she did something to stop herself from falling completely into the abyss. She marked with a big red X in her calendar when Mia would be back.

Once she had done that, Charlotte crawled back into her bed. Under the duvet, she could still smell some of Mia's perfume. This would be the start of an agonising year.

365 days, without her.

Day 4

When Marjorie still hadn't heard from Charlotte on the third day, she became worried. Her friend had called in sick for the week on Monday. After Marjorie had written her a message to ask what was going on, she didn't hear back from her.

At first, the manager thought that Charlotte must be in a really bad way. But now it was Wednesday, and she still hadn't heard from her.

She put her phone down again after she had called Charlotte several times today, but she hadn't responded. After a long back and forth, she had actually called Mia. But to her surprise, Mia's number was no longer taken.

This was the point where Marjorie became really worried. She didn't really want to invade Charlotte's private life too much. But she saw no other way out.

She dialled a number that Charlotte had given her for emergencies. It took a moment, but then a man's voice rang out.

"Hello, Lancaster."

"Hey Thomas, it's Marjorie."

Thomas was Charlotte's ex-husband, Marjorie had seen him a few times over the ten years they had been married.

The man seemed to have to think for a moment about where to put Marjorie. "Oh yes, Marjorie. What can I do for you?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but I just wanted to ask if everything is all right with Charlotte. She called in sick, but when I asked her what was wrong, she didn't respond." Marjorie played nervously with the phone cord, she had the feeling that she was digging somewhere, where she shouldn't put her nose.

"Charlotte is sick? She told me she has to work late all week and can't take the girls." His voice sounded worried.

" Oh, well..."

"Marjorie, can you please see if she is alright. I'd love to do it myself, but I'm so busy with work and the children."

Marjorie kept quiet for the rest of the day. She didn't want to create any unrest among her employees. As soon as the clock struck seven, the manager had already disappeared from the office.

On the way to Charlotte's house, all the scenarios ran through her mind.
What if something bad had happened?

Charlotte only realised that someone must be at her door when the doorbell didn't stop ringing. She slowly got out of bed. She felt weak and dizzy.

Had she actually eaten anything in the last few days?

Every step robbed her of more strength. It was even worse than the battle she was fighting in her mind. She opened the door without really lifting her eyes to see who was standing there. But when someone gave her a firm hug. Something broke inside her that she was trying to hide.

Marjorie had to hold her friend so tightly so that she wouldn't lose her footing. The manager's fear had been confirmed - something bad had happened.

Charlotte was stirring listlessly in the pasta with some pesto. Marjorie had put it in front of her and, with a stern "Eat something!", pressed a fork into her hand. But Charlotte wasn't hungry, but for Marjorie, she forced herself to eat something.

Charlotte watched as Marjorie read the letter in disbelief. Her expression changed from neutral to questioning and finally angry.

"She can't be serious!"

Charlotte couldn't answer. What should she say? She herself was incredulous at first, and anger slowly rose up inside her too. But she still couldn't bring herself to curse Mia, especially not in front of Marjorie.

"Why is she doing this to you?! Especially after everything you've been through?!"

Again, Charlotte couldn't bring herself to answer. Marjorie said what she was thinking deep inside. These thoughts hurt. To reassure herself, Charlotte reached for the heart hanging around her neck. She stared at the food in front of her, which was probably cold by now.

Tears slowly formed in her eyes. How much she had cried over the last few days and still more seemed to pour out of her.

Two arms wrapped around her, and Marjorie hugged her tightly.

" Don't worry, my love. I'll be there for you..."