Our Forever, Forgotten

n, she became a part of his routine. Their friendship blossomed easily-late-night conversations about dreams and fai

st confidant, Adrian's feelings wer

pling water. Emma was perched on a bench, sketching ideas for a short story, while Adrian

me?" Emma asked suddenly,

f guard. He knew he couldn'

't help it," h

and she set her note

firm. "And I know I'm probably setting myself up for heartbreak, but I n

ouding with unease. "Adrian,

same," he urged,

nd, Adrian. I don't want to lose that. And I

Adrian forced a smile. "It's okay. I just w

change-at lea

sible. Every time Emma laughed at one of his jokes, every time her hand brushed h

" his roommate, Alex, asked one even

orth it," Adrian

s patience

coffee shop when Emma casually mentioned

irring her latte. "But I d

Because I've been sitting here, practically scre

k by his sudden outburst. "Adri

same. But it's hard, Emma. It's hard to keep pretending I'm oka

hat followed

," Emma said finally, her v

is heart breaking as he sto

and trying to rebuild his life without Emma at the c

t smile and a knack for making people feel seen. She'd always been friendly, bu

asked one day, her tone ca

ated but nod

k to, her optimism a refreshing contrast to the emotional turmoil Adrian had been en

along a quiet street after d

lly serious. "I like you. I've liked you for a w

expected this-not after spendi

know if I'm read

ction," she said with a s

he could hope for in a partner-kind, understanding, and supportive.

nd, he s

happy for him, often teasing him about Ranny's constant stream of thoughtful gifts and surpri

they often did. Ranny was out of town for work,

Emma said, her smile w

reed, though his to

her cup. "You deserve to be happ

with him long aft

rought, the comfort of a predictable relationship. But deep down, a part

keep living in the shadow o

ld himself, th