The Spaces You Left behind

Ace and Ayla had been inseparable since they were children. He was the loud one, the fearless one, the boy everyone admired. She was quiet, timid, and always preferred hiding behind a book rather than being the center of attention. Yet somehow, they balanced each other perfectly.
When Ace is forced to move to another state at twelve years old because of his father's job, everything changes, the popularity Ayla once had simply because she stood beside him disappears overnight, leaving her alone to face the insecurities she'd spent years hiding.
Ace never had the possibility to tell Ayla the reason of why he left...

Five years later, fate throws them back into each other's lives.

Ace has become exactly who everyone expected: the school's most popular senior, captain of the football team, the guy who breaks rules as easily as hearts, always surrounded by parties, friends, and girls who would do anything to get his attention.
Ayla has changed too... just not in the way people notice. She's still quiet, still battling the body dysmorphia that convinces her she'll never be enough. The only difference is that she tried hard to talk more... she has got more presence than before.
And... Ace still remembers, even though it doesn't look like it...; the little girl with messy red hair who used to beat him at board games, the best friend he never wanted to leave behind.
The problem is... they're not twelve anymore and people change, some promises don't survive growing up, some friendships are impossible to rebuild.
And sometimes, the person you've spent years trying to forget is the one your heart recognizes before your mind does.