Temporary Fix

Chapter 9: The Disappearance

The weeks that followed Trixie's pivotal night with Louis were a whirlwind of emotions. The intimacy they had shared felt like a blossoming flower, vibrant and alive, but the joy was quickly overshadowed by an unsettling silence. Louis, who had once been a constant presence in her life, suddenly stopped reaching out.

At first, Trixie brushed it off, convincing herself that maybe he just needed some space. After all, their relationship was still new, and she understood that it could take time to navigate the transition from friends to something more. Yet, as days turned into weeks and the silence stretched on, her optimism began to wane.

Sitting at her kitchen table, Trixie stared blankly at her laptop screen, the bright light flickering against her furrowed brow. Her fingers hovered above the keyboard, ready to type, but her mind was a tangled mess of confusion and hurt. The vibrant discussions they'd shared, the laughter, the soft touches—all seemed like distant memories now. She felt as if she was caught in a dream from which she couldn't wake up, where the happy moments were just illusions.

"Get it together, Trixie," she muttered to herself, trying to shake off the feeling of melancholy. "He's probably just busy with work or something. You're overreacting."

But as each day passed without a single text or call, doubt crept in like an unwelcome shadow. She found herself replaying their last conversation over and over, searching for clues in his words, trying to decipher what had changed. Was it something she said? Something she did? The more she thought about it, the more her mind spiraled, leading her to dark conclusions.

"Maybe he wasn't serious about us after all," she whispered to herself, the thought sending a wave of sadness crashing over her. "Maybe I misread everything."

In a desperate attempt to drown out the noise of her thoughts, Trixie buried herself in work. She threw herself into her projects at the marketing firm, tackling tasks with fervor and determination. Emails flew back and forth, meetings filled her calendar, and she focused on every detail of her work as if it were a lifeline, pulling her from the depths of her swirling emotions.

On the surface, she appeared fine. Colleagues complimented her efficiency and creativity, and her boss praised her dedication. But underneath, she was unraveling, and the façade was growing harder to maintain.

"Hey, Trixie, do you have a minute?" Claire's voice cut through her concentration one afternoon as she knocked on Trixie's office door.

"Sure, come in!" Trixie forced a smile, but it felt heavy on her lips.

Claire took a seat, concern etched across her features. "I've noticed you've been a bit off lately. Is everything okay?"

Trixie hesitated, debating whether to open up. "Yeah, everything's fine," she replied too quickly, a lie slipping effortlessly from her tongue. "Just busy, you know?"

Claire studied her for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I get that. But remember, you don't have to carry everything alone. If you ever need to talk, I'm here for you."

"Thanks, Claire," Trixie said, her heart warming at her friend's kindness. "I really appreciate it. I just have a lot on my plate right now."

"Okay, but just know that I'm here if you want to vent or hang out. You're not alone in this," Claire reiterated before standing up to leave.

As the door closed behind Claire, Trixie sank back into her chair, feeling a mix of gratitude and guilt. She knew Claire cared, but the thought of opening up about her feelings for Louis and the subsequent silence felt daunting. What if she revealed her heart, only to have it shattered even more?