Chapter 1: The End of Forever
Maria stood in her quiet apartment, staring at the half-empty closet where Zander’s clothes used to be. The silence felt deafening. The air was thick with memories—six years’ worth of laughter, arguments, vacations, late-night calls, and whispered promises. Six years that ended with nothing but a heavy door closing behind him.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” Zander had said, his voice trembling.
That was always the problem. He didn’t mean to, but he always did. Maria loved Zander—he had been her high school sweetheart, the boy who held her hand at graduation, and the man who promised to love her forever. But over time, the unintentional emotional wounds piled up—broken plans, forgotten anniversaries, words left unsaid. Zander was kind, but he never understood the weight of his neglect.
“It’s not you,” Maria whispered into the empty room. “It’s us.”
By the time they broke up, Maria didn’t even cry. She was too tired, too numb.
It wasn’t until two weeks later, stumbling through the streets of the city, that the tears finally came.
Chapter 2: The Night They Met
It was past midnight when Maria walked home, her face wet from crying. She pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders, her heels clicking faintly on the pavement. Her heart was heavy, a hollow ache that no amount of deep breaths could soothe.
“God, get it together,” she muttered to herself, wiping her cheeks.
She didn’t see him coming until it was too late.
“Oof!” Maria yelped as she crashed into someone. Her bag fell to the ground, spilling its contents across the pavement.
“Whoa, I’m so sorry!” a deep voice said.
Maria looked up, meeting a pair of warm brown eyes framed by messy blond hair. The stranger—who looked to be around her age—grinned sheepishly, crouching down to pick up her things.
“Here, let me—”
“Don’t touch that!” Maria blurted, mortified.
“Okay, okay!” He raised his hands in mock surrender but smiled anyway, as though she hadn’t just barked at him. “Rough night?”
Maria scowled, snatching her bag. “What do you think?”
“I think…” he paused, tilting his head playfully, “you look like you could use some company. Or food. Maybe both.”
“I don’t know you,” Maria said, narrowing her eyes.
“Name’s Austin,” he replied, holding out his hand. “And you are?”
“Walking away.”
“Walking away is a weird name,” he called after her as she stomped off. “But okay, I’ll take it!”
Maria didn’t look back. But as she disappeared into the night, she realized she was smiling—just a little.
Chapter 3: A Chance Encounter
Maria didn’t expect to see him again. But life had other plans.
It was a week later when Maria found herself in a small diner, sitting alone at a booth in the corner. She picked at her food absently, her appetite nonexistent.
“Hey, Walking Away!”
She startled, looking up. Austin stood at the door, grinning like a ray of sunshine as if he owned the place.
“You again?” she mumbled, feeling her cheeks heat up.
“Yep! I’m everywhere,” Austin said, sliding into the booth across from her.
“What are you doing?” Maria asked, glaring.
“Joining you. You look lonely.”
“Because I am alone.”
“Not anymore!” he said cheerfully.
Maria sighed, exasperated. “Do you always annoy people you barely know?”
“Only the ones who look like they need cheering up.” Austin’s grin softened as he looked at her more closely. “Rough week, huh?”
Maria looked away, her voice quiet. “Something like that.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“Want to eat?” He pushed her plate toward her.
Despite herself, Maria laughed—something she hadn’t done in weeks. Austin’s lighthearted presence made it hard to stay miserable.
By the time she left the diner that night, she realized something strange.
Austin wasn’t a stranger anymore.
Chapter 4: The Beginning of Something New
Over the next few weeks, Austin kept appearing in Maria’s life, as though the universe had appointed him her personal ray of sunshine. He texted her random jokes, showed up at her favorite coffee shop with extra lattes, and dragged her to see the sunsets by the river.
Austin was the opposite of Zander. Where Zander was calm and reserved, Austin was loud and alive. He laughed too much, teased her constantly, and seemed to see joy in everything.
“You’re exhausting,” Maria told him one day as they sat on a park bench, sharing a bag of churros.
“You love it,” Austin replied, nudging her with his shoulder.
Maria rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips.
Chapter 5: When Walls Begin to Fall
It wasn’t until one evening that Austin finally asked about Zander.
They were sitting on the grass under a star-strewn sky. Maria lay on her back, her fingers tugging at the hem of her sweater.
“So,” Austin said, breaking the silence, “why do you look sad when you think no one’s watching?”
Maria froze. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do.” Austin’s voice was soft, kind. “You were hurt, weren’t you?”
Maria hesitated, then whispered, “I was with someone. For six years.”
Austin’s eyes softened. “Zander?”
She blinked at him, surprised.
“You talk in your sleep sometimes,” he admitted sheepishly. “I didn’t mean to overhear.”
Maria looked away, her throat tightening. “He didn’t do anything bad. He wasn’t cruel or mean. He was good to me.”
“But?”
“He never made me feel… enough,” she said quietly. “He forgot the little things. Made promises he didn’t keep. I loved him, but I was always waiting for him to see me the way I saw him. And he never did.”
Austin didn’t say anything for a long time. Then he shifted closer, his shoulder brushing against hers.
“For what it’s worth,” he said softly, “I see you.”
Maria turned to look at him, and in that moment, her heart did something it hadn’t done in a long time—it stirred.
Chapter 6: The Dance
Maria didn’t realize how much Austin meant to her until the night of a friend’s party.
The music was loud, the lights dim, and Maria sat quietly in a corner, nursing a drink she didn’t want.
“Why are you hiding here?” Austin appeared out of nowhere, holding his hand out to her.
“I’m not hiding,” Maria mumbled.
“Then dance with me.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
Before she could argue, Austin pulled her to her feet and into the center of the room.
Maria glared up at him. “I don’t dance.”
“Then stand here and look pretty,” he teased, spinning her gently.
Austin’s hand pressed lightly against her waist as they swayed to the music. It wasn’t a romantic song, but in that moment, it felt like one. Maria’s pulse quickened as Austin leaned closer, his breath brushing against her ear.
“You’re beautiful when you smile,” he murmured.
Maria’s heart stuttered. Her fingers tightened on his shoulder as he pulled her closer, his body warm against hers. For the first time in years, she felt like someone was holding her.
When the song ended, Austin didn’t let go immediately. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world fell away.
“Maria,” Austin whispered, his voice low.
She held her breath, waiting.
But then he stepped back, breaking the spell. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
Chapter 7: Falling in Love
Their friendship deepened. Late-night drives turned into deep conversations. Coffee dates became shared laughter. And little by little, Austin filled the voids Zander had left.
One evening, they sat on Maria’s couch, watching an old movie.
“You’re staring at me,” Maria said without looking away from the screen.
Austin grinned. “I’m appreciating the view.”
“Stop it,” she said, but she was smiling.
Austin turned serious, his hand brushing against hers. “Maria, I… I don’t know what this is, but I’m not sure I want it to end.”
Maria’s heart skipped. “What if I’m not ready?”
“Then I’ll wait,” he said softly. “But I think you are.”
And for the first time, Maria believed it.
Chapter 8: The Kiss
It happened on the riverbank one evening as the sun set. Maria stood with her arms crossed, laughing at one of Austin’s stupid jokes.
“You’re such an idiot,” she said, shaking her head.
Austin stepped closer, his grin softening. “But you like me anyway, don’t you?”
Maria opened her mouth to retort, but the words never came. Austin leaned in, his hand gently cupping her face as he brushed his lips against hers—soft, tentative, as though asking permission.
Maria froze for half a second before kissing him back.
The kiss deepened, his arms sliding around her waist as he pulled her closer. Maria clung to him, her heart pounding as warmth spread through her, erasing every doubt she’d ever had.
When they pulled apart, Austin rested his forehead against hers, smiling.
“Told you I’d wait,” he whispered.
Maria smiled back, finally feeling whole.
Chapter 9: Letting Go
It took months, but Maria finally let go of Zander. Austin had shown her what love was supposed to feel like—safe, fulfilling, and full of laughter.
One day, as they sat on her porch, Maria whispered, “Thank you.”
“For what?” Austin asked.
“For seeing me.”
Austin grinned, pulling her closer. “Always.”
The End.