Trauma changes people. trauma changes everyone.
All rights for the 9-1-1 cast and all rights to most of the plot goes to ABC. New plots and new characters belong to me 🫶
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MILES
The pizzeria felt heavier these days, like the air itself had grown thick with tension. It had been weeks since I broke up with Lydia, and I was still kicking myself for how I handled it. One second, I was frustrated and overwhelmed, and the next, I was ending things with the person I cared about most.
And now? Now Lydia was here, but she wasn't. She was quiet, distant, a ghost of herself.
I leaned against the counter near the ovens, pretending to be focused on folding boxes, but my eyes kept drifting to the register. Lydia was there with Tyler. He had her laughing-a sound I hadn't heard in weeks-but it wasn't the same. Her laugh was soft, like she was trying to convince herself she still had it in her.
I knew I should say something to her. Apologize. Try to fix what I'd broken. But every time I thought about it, the words got stuck in my throat. How do you tell someone you're sorry for being a complete idiot?
Delilah walked up beside me, her tray balanced on one hip. She followed my gaze, her eyes narrowing when they landed on Lydia.
"Have you talked to her?" she asked quietly.
I shook my head, keeping my eyes on the boxes in front of me. "No. I don't know what to say."
Delilah let out a soft sigh. "Miles, come on. You two are Lydia and Miles. You'll figure it out."
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Lydia and Miles. That's what everyone always said about us, like we were this unshakable team. And we had been-until I went and ruined it.
I shrugged, my voice low. "I don't know if we will."
Delilah gave me a sharp look, but she didn't say anything else. Instead, she turned and walked away, leaving me with my thoughts.
I looked back at the register. Lydia was already looking at me, her hazel eyes meeting mine for the briefest moment before she smiled softly. It wasn't much-just a quick curve of her lips-but it was enough to send a pang straight through my chest.
Her smile. God, her smile. It was the prettiest thing I'd ever seen, and knowing I was the reason it had dimmed killed me.
She looked away, busying herself with the next customer, but I couldn't take my eyes off her. I knew I'd messed up. I'd messed up so bad, and I didn't know if I'd ever be able to fix it.
But one thing was clear: I wasn't ready to give up on Lydia-not yet.
