Ben's heart felt unbearably heavy.
A suffocating weight pressed against his chest.
Ben (thinking):
Why is she ignoring me…?
He didn't even wait for the order.
Behind him, Charlotte's mother called out—
"Your order—"
But Ben was already gone.
—
He walked quickly toward his car—
And then—
From the corner of his eye—
He saw her.
Charlotte.
She was outside, throwing a trash bag into the bin, casually talking on her phone.
Charlotte (on call):
"Yeah… it was surprising, honestly…"
Ben didn't think.
Didn't stop.
His feet moved on their own.
Straight toward her.
—
"Charlotte."
Her name left his lips—
And she froze.
Her entire body stiffened.
For a second—
She didn't turn.
Then suddenly—
She tried to walk inside.
Fast.
As if running away.
But before she could—
Ben reached her.
His hand wrapped around her waist, stopping her.
Charlotte: "Leave me—"
Ben: "No!"
His voice cracked.
Desperate.
Broken.
Ben: "I'm not leaving. Not like this… not without an answer."
Charlotte struggled slightly.
Charlotte: "Let go of me."
Ben slowly loosened his grip—
But stepped in front of her, blocking the door.
One hand pressed against it.
Trapping her between him and the entrance.
Charlotte (frustrated):
"What do you want? I told you it's over. Stop following me."
Ben's eyes searched her face.
Almost pleading.
Ben: "Just tell me why… at least give me that."
Charlotte looked away.
Charlotte: "I already told you. It's hard for me… to handle everything. You're too far."
Ben: "But you said you'd wait for me…"
Charlotte's voice wavered—just slightly.
Charlotte: "Things changed."
Silence.
Heavy.
Painful.
Ben's voice dropped—
Almost a whisper.
Ben: "So… you don't love me anymore?"
Charlotte paused.
Just for a moment.
Then—
Charlotte:
"You can say that."
Those words—
Felt like something tearing inside him.
Ben's breath hitched.
Ben: "But I… I still love you."
Charlotte closed her eyes briefly.
Charlotte: "And I'm asking you to leave."
Ben stood still.
Frozen.
As if his body forgot how to move.
Charlotte turned—
About to go inside.
But suddenly—
Ben stepped forward.
His arms wrapped around her from behind—
Around her shoulders.
Holding her.
Gently.
Desperately.
Ben (softly, broken):
"I love you… please don't leave me…"
Charlotte froze.
Her hands slowly touched his—
For a second.
A moment that felt like the past came back.
Soft.
Familiar.
But empty.
Charlotte:
"Please… let go."
Her voice was quieter now.
Tired.
Charlotte:
"It won't change anything."
And slowly—
She removed his hands.
Stepping away.
Creating distance.
She turned to face him.
Charlotte:
"Please stay away from me."
Her eyes didn't meet his.
Charlotte:
"I can't do long distance anymore… everything feels different… it's not the same."
A pause.
Charlotte:
"I just… need time. And space."
Ben didn't speak.
Couldn't.
Charlotte:
"So please… leave."
—
Ben stood there.
Still.
Silent.
His world—
Felt like it collapsed in that moment.
No questions left.
No hope left.
Only emptiness.
—
Slowly—
He turned.
Walked back to his car.
Each step heavier than the last.
He got inside—
And drove.
Fast.
As if running away from something that was already inside him.
—
At home—
He entered his room.
Quiet.
Cold.
Empty.
He fell onto the bed.
Staring at the ceiling.
Charlotte's words kept repeating—
Again.
And again.
And again.
—
In Himmer
The class ended.
Luisa walked toward the university garden.
Alone.
The air felt calm.
Peaceful.
For the first time in days—
Her heart felt… slightly lighter.
She walked slowly—
Looking around.
Trying to feel normal again.
Trying to breathe.
—
And then—
She saw him.
Noah.
Standing right in front of her.
As if he had been waiting.
Luisa paused—
Then quietly turned—
And started walking the other way.
Noah (from behind, amused):
"Are you trying to ignore me?"
Luisa didn't stop.
Luisa: "No… I'm not. Why would I?"
Noah chuckled softly.
And walked beside her.
Noah: "Good. Because I don't like being ignored."
His tone was light—
But there was something in it.
Confident.
Almost teasing.
He slipped his hands into his pockets, walking casually beside her.
Noah:
"Can I join you?"
Luisa hesitated.
Just for a second.
Luisa: "I guess…"
Noah smiled slightly.
Noah:
"You know… most people try to talk to me."
He glanced at her.
Noah:
"But you… keep running away."
Luisa frowned lightly.
Luisa: "I'm not running away."
Noah leaned a little closer—
Not too much—
Just enough to make her aware.
Noah (low voice):
"That's funny… because it feels like you are."
Luisa felt uncomfortable.
She looked ahead—
Avoiding his gaze.
Noah smirked.
Noah:
"You're different."
Luisa: "How?"
Noah:
"You don't try to impress. You don't even care."
A pause.
Noah:
"That makes you… interesting."
Luisa didn't reply.
Her steps slowed slightly.
Noah noticed.
Noah (teasing):
"Relax… I'm not going to do anything."
Then after a beat—
Noah (soft but direct):
"Unless you want me to."
Luisa stopped walking.
Turned to him.
Her expression serious.
Luisa:
"I'm not that kind of person."
Noah held her gaze.
For a moment—
His playful expression softened.
Just a little.
Noah:
"I can see that."
Then he smiled again—
That same confident smile.
Noah:
"But I still want to know you."
Luisa felt that discomfort again.
Stronger this time.
Something about him—
Felt too fast.
Too direct.
Too… much.
Luisa:
"I think you should go back to your friends."
Noah tilted his head.
Watching her.
Carefully.
Noah:
"Or maybe… you're just scared of me."
Luisa:
"I'm not."
Noah stepped back slightly—
Giving her space.
Noah:
"Good."
A small pause.
Noah:
"Because I don't give up easily."
Luisa didn't reply.
She simply turned—
And walked away.
This time—
Without stopping.
—
And Noah stood there—
Watching her go.
A slow smile forming on his lips.
Noah (thinking):
This is going to be interesting…