"Chasing Stars, Finding You"

Mia sat at her desk, staring at the open notebook Lucas had given her. The words she had written the night before seemed both foreign and familiar. It wasn't much—just a few sentences—but it was something. And that was more than she had allowed herself in years.

She ran her fingers over the ink, feeling a strange sense of ownership over those words. They were hers, unpolished and imperfect, but real. Still, the doubt lingered in the back of her mind. Was she good enough? Would anyone care about what she had to say?

A message from Lucas lit up her phone screen.

Lucas: Morning. Did you write?

Mia smiled slightly. She should have expected him to check in.

Mia: A little.

A few seconds later, another message popped up.

Lucas: That's a start. Want to meet later?

She hesitated before replying.

Mia: Okay. Usual place?

Lucas: See you there.

---

That evening, Mia found Lucas already waiting at the park. The sunset cast warm hues over the water, making the world feel softer, more forgiving. He had a sketchbook on his lap, his pencil moving fluidly across the page.

Mia sat beside him, glancing over. "What are you working on?"

Lucas hesitated before angling the book so she could see. It was a rough sketch of a small café, surrounded by greenery, large windows letting in sunlight. There was a cozy warmth to the design, as if he had built a place that belonged in a dream.

"It's just an idea," he said, almost shyly.

Mia smiled. "It looks like a place I'd love to spend hours in."

He let out a soft chuckle. "That's the goal."

Mia hugged her notebook to her chest. "I wrote last night."

Lucas looked at her, his expression shifting into something unreadable. "Can I see?"

She hesitated, then slowly passed him the notebook. As he read, she felt a mix of anxiety and excitement swirl inside her. But Lucas didn't criticize. He didn't pick apart her words or point out flaws. He just read, his fingers tracing the edge of the page.

When he finally looked up, there was something warm in his eyes. "Mia, this is good."

She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "You think so?"

"I know so." He handed the notebook back to her. "Keep going."

Mia smiled, feeling a quiet kind of confidence settle inside her. Maybe, just maybe, she could do this. And maybe, with Lucas by her side, she wouldn't have to do it alone.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, they sat there, two dreamers finding their way back to the things they had lost. And for the first time in a long time, Mia felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be.