Box Of Matches | ✓

16

Days turned into weeks, and the initial euphoria Ariel felt after her date with Colby began to fade. She sent him texts, left him voicemails, but each attempt to reach out was met with silence. Colby had completely disappeared from her life, and the absence was like a growing void that she couldn't ignore.

At first, Ariel tried to rationalize his lack of response. She told herself he must be busy with work or maybe he was dealing with something personal. But as days turned into weeks, the hope she clung to started to wither. She couldn't understand what had gone wrong, and the uncertainty gnawed at her.

One particularly slow afternoon at The Book Nook, Ariel found herself staring blankly at the register. The shop was quiet, the usual comforting atmosphere now tinged with an ache of loneliness. Salem, sensing her distress, rubbed against her leg, offering what little comfort he could.

Mr. Thompson came in for his regular visit, and Ariel greeted him with a forced smile. He noticed her subdued demeanor immediately.

"Everything okay, Ariel?" he asked gently, his eyes full of concern.

She hesitated, then shook her head. "Not really, Mr. Thompson. It's Colby. He... he just stopped talking to me. No calls, no texts, nothing. I don't know what happened."

Mr. Thompson sighed and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry to hear that, Ariel. Sometimes people don't know how to handle their feelings or situations, and they take the easy way out by avoiding them. It doesn't mean it's right, but it happens."

Ariel nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "It just hurts, you know? We had such a great time, and then he just vanished."

Mr. Thompson squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "Give him some time. Maybe he needs to sort things out. And in the meantime, focus on what makes you happy. Don't let his actions dictate your feelings."

After Mr. Thompson left, Ariel tried to take his advice to heart. She threw herself into her work, organizing new book arrivals and helping customers find their next great read. But every quiet moment, every lull in activity, brought her thoughts back to Colby.

One evening, after another long and uneventful day at the store, Ariel sat on her couch, her phone in hand. She stared at the last text message she had sent to Colby, still unanswered.

"Hey, just checking in. Hope you're okay."

With a sigh, she set her phone aside and got up to water the plants scattered around the house. As she moved from room to room, tending to her leafy companions, her mind replayed the memories of her date with Colby—the laughter, the conversation, the kiss. She felt a pang of sadness, wondering if she would ever understand what went wrong.

After finishing her chore, Ariel made her way to her bedroom. The soft hum of the ceiling fan filled the room, a gentle reminder of the quiet night outside. She sat on the edge of her bed, feeling the weight of the unanswered questions pressing down on her.

Determined to distract herself, she opened her laptop and pulled up Colby's YouTube channel. She scrolled through his videos, looking for any sign that might explain his sudden silence. As she watched him and Sam explore haunted locations and share their adventures, she couldn't help but smile at their antics. But the joy was tinged with a deep sadness, knowing that the person who had brought so much excitement into her life was now a ghost of his own making.

Despite everything, Ariel couldn't bring herself to hate Colby. She missed him, and the pain of his absence was a constant reminder of how much he had come to mean to her. She knew she needed to move forward, to find a way to be okay without him. But for now, all she could do was hope that one day, he would reach out and give her the closure she desperately needed.

As she closed her laptop and lay down to sleep, Ariel whispered a silent prayer into the darkness. She hoped that wherever Colby was, he was safe and happy. And she hoped that one day, she would find the strength to move on from the heartache he had left behind.

*** 

One morning, about a month later, Ariel sat at the breakfast bar, mindlessly scrolling through her phone. The house was quiet, the only sound being the occasional hum of the refrigerator and the soft chirping of birds outside. She had long since given up on hearing from Colby, resigning herself to the painful reality that he had moved on.

Just as she was about to put her phone down, a notification popped up—a new video from Colby's channel. Her heart skipped a beat as she hesitated for a moment, her finger hovering over the notification. Taking a deep breath, she tapped on it, and the video began to play.

The familiar intro music filled the air, and there was Colby, looking as charismatic as ever. But something was different this time. Ariel's heart sank as the camera panned to reveal a girl standing next to him. She had long, jet-black hair and sparkling eyes, and the way she smiled at Colby made Ariel's stomach churn.

"Hey, everyone! This is Charlotte," Colby said, introducing the girl with a wide grin. "She's going to be joining us for some of our videos from now on."

Ariel watched in stunned silence as the video continued. Colby and Charlotte seemed to have an easy, natural chemistry, laughing and joking as they explored a haunted location together. It didn't take long for Ariel to piece together that Charlotte was more than just a friend or a new collaborator. The way they looked at each other, the subtle touches and shared smiles—it was clear they were in a relationship.

A crushing sense of sadness engulfed Ariel as she realized she had missed her chance at love. She had been so close to something special, only for it to slip through her fingers. The sound of Colby and Charlotte's voices filled her senses, each word and laugh feeling like a dagger to her heart.

Unable to watch any longer, Ariel put her phone down, her hands trembling. She felt a lump rise in her throat, and tears welled up in her eyes. She had known Colby for such a short time, but the impact he had on her was undeniable. The memory of their date, the kiss they shared—it all felt like a cruel joke now.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. The pain was overwhelming, but she knew she had to find a way to move forward. She couldn't let this heartbreak consume her, no matter how much it hurt.

Ariel wiped away her tears, her resolve hardening. She would get through this, just as she had gotten through other difficult times in her life. She would focus on her work, her friends, and her family. And maybe, one day, she would find someone who would appreciate her for who she was and not disappear without a word.

As the sound of Colby and Charlotte's voices faded into the background, Ariel made a silent promise to herself. She would be okay, even if it took time. She would find happiness again, and she wouldn't let this heartbreak define her.

With a determined sigh, Ariel got up from the breakfast bar and headed towards the living room, where Moby was curled up on the couch. She sat down next to him, stroking his fur and taking comfort in his presence. The road ahead might be challenging, but she knew she had the strength to navigate it. And with each passing day, the pain would lessen, and she would grow stronger.