Ben and Ryan walked into a café nearby.
The place felt warm… familiar.
Almost like time hadn't changed at all.
They sat down.
Ordered coffee.
And for a while—
They talked about small things.
School days.
Old memories.
Teachers they used to hate.
Moments they once laughed at.
Ryan: "Remember that time you got into trouble for skipping class?"
Ben let out a faint smile.
Ben: "You were with me."
Ryan laughed.
Ryan: "Yeah… but you got caught."
For the first time in days—
Ben felt something lighter.
Not happiness…
But relief.
A small break from the heaviness inside him.
—
As the evening passed—
The sky outside slowly turned darker.
The café lights felt softer.
Calmer.
Ben leaned back slightly.
Ben (thinking):
It feels good…
Just for a moment… not thinking about anything…
—
After some time—
They got up and walked out of the café.
The cool evening air touched their faces.
Ryan: "So… how's Himmer?"
Ben looked down slightly.
Ben: "It's good…"
Ryan noticed.
But didn't say anything directly.
Ryan: "Made any new friends?"
Ben paused for a moment.
Then—
Ben: "Luisa… and David."
Ryan smiled.
Ryan: "That's nice."
A small silence followed.
Ryan: "So… when are you going back?"
Ben: "Tomorrow."
Ryan nodded.
Ryan: "I'll miss you, man. Stay in contact."
Ben gave a small, tired smile.
Ben: "Yeah… I will."
—
They said goodbye.
And went their separate ways.
—
Ben walked alone now.
The same streets.
The same places.
But everything felt different.
Empty.
The memories of Charlotte lingered everywhere.
Every corner reminded him of something.
Every step felt heavier.
Ben (thinking):
Nothing is the same anymore…
—
When he reached home—
His mother was already there.
Mother: "Welcome home, honey."
She smiled warmly.
Mother: "I made cookies. Do you want some?"
Ben forced a small smile.
Ben: "Yeah… but not now. I'm a little tired."
Mother looked at him for a moment.
Concern in her eyes.
But she nodded.
Mother: "Okay… get some rest."
—
Ben walked to his room.
Closed the door.
Silence filled the space.
He sat on the bed for a moment—
Then slowly picked up his phone.
And called Luisa.
—
The phone rang.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
She picked up.
Luisa: "Hi…"
Her voice was soft.
A little distant.
Ben: "Hi… I called before. You didn't pick up."
Luisa: "Yeah… I was just a little busy."
Ben: "I see…"
A small pause.
Ben: "How are you?"
Luisa: "I'm good… you?"
Ben exhaled slowly.
Ben: "Just… okay."
Another pause.
Then—
Ben spoke again.
Ben:
"Actually… today I met Charlotte."
That name—
Hit Luisa instantly.
A sharp discomfort passed through her chest.
But she stayed silent.
Luisa: "That's… good."
Ben's voice grew heavier.
Ben:
"No… it's not."
A pause.
Ben:
"She really doesn't want to come back."
Silence.
Ben:
"It's all over now, Luisa…"
His voice broke slightly at the end.
Soft.
But painful.
Luisa sat still.
Her fingers tightened around her phone.
She didn't know what to say.
Didn't know how to comfort him—
When his pain…
Was because of someone else.
Ben:
"I thought… maybe there was still something left…"
A faint, broken laugh.
Ben:
"But I was wrong."
Luisa's eyes softened.
Pain filled them—
But she said nothing.
Ben:
"By the way… I'm leaving tomorrow."
Luisa's heart sank slightly.
Luisa: "Oh…"
A pause.
Luisa (softly):
"Ben… you should rest."
Her voice gentle.
Careful.
Luisa:
"And take care of yourself…"
Ben closed his eyes.
Ben: "Yeah… I will."
—
The call ended.
—
Ben slowly placed his phone beside him.
Then lay down on the bed.
One arm resting over his eyes.
The other by his side.
He stared at the ceiling—
But saw nothing.
Ben (thinking):
Everything is over now…
A tear slipped from the corner of his eye—
Rolling slowly down his cheek.
Quiet.
Unnoticed.
—
In Himmer
Luisa sat on her bed.
Her legs folded.
Arms wrapped tightly around them.
Her phone still in her hand.
Her gaze distant.
Lost.
Luisa (thinking):
This is so hard…
She lowered her head slightly.
Luisa (thinking):
I feel bad for him…
He's going through so much…
Her chest tightened.
Luisa (thinking):
But… why does it hurt me too…?
Her grip around her arms tightened.
As if trying to hold herself together.
Luisa (thinking):
Why does loving him feel like this…?
A quiet tear slipped down her cheek.
Luisa closed her eyes.
Luisa (whispering softly):
"I just want this pain to stop…"