Why Don't We One Shots

A love that lasts, Jonah Marais

Jonah never imagined that a summer romance could change his life forever. He had always been content with his quiet life, focused on his music and his dreams, avoiding complications. He had always been good at keeping things simple—until Y/N walked into his world.

It was the middle of summer when they first met. Jonah was visiting a small lakeside town, trying to take a break from the chaos of his life in the city. The lake, the trees, and the solitude felt like the perfect escape. He spent most of his days fishing and thinking, trying to clear his head. But that all changed the moment he saw her.

Y/N was sitting on the edge of the dock, her legs dangling over the water as she hummed a tune to herself. She didn't seem to notice Jonah at first, lost in her own world. Jonah, however, couldn't take his eyes off her. There was something magnetic about her. She had a way of existing in the moment, of not caring about anything else. It was a quality Jonah hadn't seen before in anyone. He found himself walking toward her, his steps tentative but drawn by an undeniable pull.

"Hey," Jonah said, his voice almost a whisper as he approached her. "You come here often?"

Y/N looked up, her brown eyes locking with his. There was a smile on her lips, but it was soft, almost shy. "Yeah, I do. It's a good place to think. You come here often?"

Jonah shrugged. "First time actually. Just needed to get away from the noise."

Her smile widened at that, as though she understood exactly what he meant. "I get that. The city can be overwhelming."

They talked for hours that day, sitting by the lake, sharing stories, and discovering how much they had in common. Jonah found himself opening up to her in a way he hadn't done in years. It was easy to talk to her, to laugh with her, as though they had known each other forever. By the end of the day, he knew he wanted to see her again. And Y/N felt the same.

Over the following days, they spent more time together. Jonah found himself constantly looking for excuses to be near her, to have those quiet moments by the lake, talking about everything and nothing. Y/N was different from anyone he had ever met. She was carefree but thoughtful, confident but kind. Jonah couldn't help but be drawn to her.

But as much as he wanted to believe that what they had was real, a part of him knew it was just a summer fling. They came from different worlds. Y/N lived in the small town, while Jonah's life was chaotic, filled with the demands of being in a band, traveling, and constantly in the public eye. Their time together felt fleeting, and Jonah tried to convince himself that it wouldn't last. It was just a summer. He told himself he would leave soon, and it would all fade away. But with every moment, every kiss, and every conversation, he felt himself falling harder.

Y/N, too, felt the pull. But she was hesitant. She had always lived in the small town, her life quiet and predictable. She had dreams, but they were small dreams—dreams of finding someone who would make her laugh, who would understand her. Jonah seemed perfect, but she didn't want to get hurt. She had seen it happen before, where people came and went, leaving nothing behind. She didn't want to be one of those girls who fell in love with someone who would eventually leave her behind.

Still, every time she looked into Jonah's eyes, she couldn't help but believe that maybe this time was different.

But the summer eventually came to an end, and Jonah had to go back to his life. The reality of their situation hit them both like a wave. They had spent months telling each other how much they cared, how they would make it work, but now, as Jonah prepared to leave, the uncertainty of it all seemed so much bigger.

The night before Jonah was to leave, he and Y/N sat on the dock one last time, staring at the water. The air was heavy with unspoken words, the quiet between them louder than anything they had said before.

"You're really leaving, huh?" Y/N said quietly, breaking the silence.

Jonah turned to look at her, his heart heavy. "Yeah. I have to. You know how it is."

Y/N nodded, her lips pressed together in a tight smile. She didn't want to cry. She didn't want to let him see how much this hurt. "I know. But I guess that's how things go sometimes, right?"

Jonah reached out to take her hand. "I'm sorry. I didn't want it to end like this. I thought... maybe we could make it work."

Y/N squeezed his hand. "I thought so too. But I don't know if I can do that. You have your life, Jonah, and I have mine. It's not that simple."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them was thick with everything they hadn't said, everything they couldn't say. Finally, Jonah stood up, pulling Y/N into his arms. The kiss they shared was filled with all the emotions they had been holding back. It was a kiss that told them both everything they didn't want to admit—that it was over, even if it felt wrong.

The next morning, Jonah left. Y/N stayed behind, her heart heavy with the memories of their time together. She tried to move on, to find comfort in the routine of her life. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't forget Jonah.

Years went by. Jonah's career flourished, and he traveled the world. Y/N lived a quiet life in the town, going through the motions, but always thinking about the boy she had loved. She had tried to forget him, but every song, every sunset, and every moment by the lake brought him back. It was as though he had left an imprint on her soul.

One day, Y/N was walking through the town when she saw him. Jonah, standing there, looking just as he had when he left. Her heart skipped a beat, and before she could stop herself, she ran toward him, throwing her arms around him.

"I never stopped thinking about you," Jonah whispered into her ear, his voice thick with emotion. "I tried. But I couldn't. I couldn't forget."

Y/N pulled back, looking into his eyes. "Neither could I."

Their love had endured the test of time, and despite the years apart, they had always known they were meant to be together. Their lives had changed, but the connection they shared hadn't faded. It had only grown stronger.

They never spoke of the time they had lost, but they didn't need to. They had found each other again, and this time, they would never let go.