The video auto-played before you could stop it.
Nicholas Chavez. A name you hadn't said out loud in years but one that still held weight in your heart. He was your ex. A relationship that you both thought would end dying in each other's arms. Nick and you would talk about the future all the time, marriage, kids, etc. But that all went through the door when he told you he had to move to LA. He had always wanted to be an actor and you strongly supported his dream but when he said he was going to move, you couldn't go with him. Your whole life was in the town you lived in now. This caused a giant fight between the two of you and it ended with Nick leaving out the door, never to be seen again.
You hadn't planned to watch his interview—some late-night talk show, the kind of thing he always said he'd never do—but there he was, sitting across from the host with that same boyish smile that had once been yours.
The interview was charming, funny, effortless. It was Nicholas at his best. But then, the host asked about his personal life.
"So, Nick, we hear there's a special someone?"
You froze, your coffee cup halfway to your lips.
Nicholas smiled, the kind of smile that told you everything you didn't want to know. "Yeah," he said, his voice soft, almost shy. "Her name's Victoria. She's amazing."
Victoria.
You set the cup down, your hand trembling. It shouldn't have hurt this much. Not after all this time. But it did.
Because once, you'd been his amazing. Once, you'd been the person he talked about with that look in his eyes.
You closed the laptop and pushed it away, trying to convince yourself that it didn't matter. That he didn't matter.
But the truth was, he still did.
____________________________________
The next morning, the coffee shop was unusually busy. You almost didn't go in, but the thought of fresh air and a good latte pulled you inside. You shuffled through the line, keeping your head down, your thoughts still tangled with yesterday's revelation.
When you finally got your drink and turned toward the door, you froze.
There he was.
Nicholas.
He stood by the counter, his back to you, but you'd know that frame anywhere. The same way you knew the exact sound of his laugh, the way his voice softened when he said your name, the way his hand always sought yours without thinking.
Before you could stop yourself, your feet carried you toward the door. But then he turned, and your eyes met.
For a second, it felt like the world stopped.
His expression shifted, surprise flickering across his face. "Y/N?"
You didn't wait. You bolted, pushing the door open and stepping into the chilly morning air.
"Wait!"
His voice chased you, but you didn't stop. Not until you were halfway down the block and his hand gently caught your arm.
"Y/N, please," he said, his breath uneven. "Don't walk away."
You turned to face him, and there he was, looking at you like no time had passed at all. But time had passed. Years of it. And now, there was a gap between you that couldn't be crossed.
"What do you want, Nick?" you asked, your voice sharp, though your heart ached.
He hesitated, his hand dropping to his side. "I don't know. I just... I didn't expect to see you. Not like this."
You crossed your arms, trying to protect yourself from the flood of emotions threatening to drown you. "Well, now you've seen me. Happy?"
"Y/N..." His voice was soft, the way it always got when he was trying to say something important.
"I saw your interview," you said abruptly, needing to cut him off before he could go further. "Victoria sounds great. I'm happy for you."
His brows furrowed, confusion flashing in his eyes. "You're happy for me?"
"Yes," you said, though the words tasted like lies.
He looked at you for a long moment, like he was trying to piece together a puzzle. "Is that all you have to say?"
"What else is there to say, Nick? You left. You didn't stick around, remember?" Your voice cracked, and you hated yourself for it.
He flinched, guilt shadowing his face. "You know why I left. It wasn't—"
"Don't," you interrupted. "Don't try to justify it. I don't want to hear it."
He took a step closer, his voice low. "I would've stayed. I would've—"
"Married me?" you asked bitterly, the words slipping out before you could stop them.
His silence was answer enough.
You shook your head, stepping back. "It doesn't matter now. You made your choice, and I've made mine."
For a moment, it looked like he might argue, like he might try to fight for something that was already gone. But then he nodded, his shoulders sagging.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
You nodded, not trusting yourself to speak. Then you turned and walked away, leaving Nicholas standing alone on the sidewalk.
And this time, he didn't follow.
