The Road Back to You

Violet stirred awake to the soft hum of the city outside the gallery's glass walls. The scent of fresh flowers still lingered in the air, a stark reminder of the note left on the bouquet the night before. She hadn't told anyone about it. Not yet. Something about it felt too personal... too much like a ghost reaching out from the past.

The gallery was eerily quiet now, a contrast to the lively crowd that had filled it just hours ago. Kathy was still curled up on one of the couches, Liam sprawled on the floor amidst discarded blankets. They had stayed the night, too tired to go home after what they'd declared was "the best night ever."

It was comforting, in a way, to have them close, their presence a quiet reminder of how far they had come together.

"Morning," Jade mumbled as he stepped out onto the balcony, rubbing his eyes. "You're up early."

"Couldn't sleep much," Violet admitted, sipping her coffee. The cool breeze tugged at her hair, but she didn't move. "Last night still feels unreal."

"Unreal in a good way, I hope," Jade smirked. 

"Yeah, in a good way," she nodded, though her mind lingered on the note. 

Jade eyed her carefully, but instead of prying, he changed the subject. "I could use some coffee. You?"

"Always. Let's go," Violet let out a small laugh. 

They slipped out of the gallery quietly, the morning air crisp against their skin. The streets were just starting to come alive, the city waking up as they made their way to a small café down the street... the one Violet used to visit when the world felt too loud.

As they stood in line, waiting for their turn, a voice ahead of them ordered, "Black coffee. No sugar. Extra hot."

Her breath hitched.

It was a simple order. Anyone could have said it. But for a split second, she could almost hear it in his voice.

She clenched her hands into fists, shaking off the ridiculous thought.

Get a grip, Violet.

"You okay?" Jade noticed her tense and frowned. 

"Yeah, just... I thought I heard something. Doesn't matter," Violet forced herself to breathe, shaking off the ridiculous thought. 

Jade didn't push but gave her a curious look before stepping forward to place their order.

They returned to the gallery, coffee cups warming their hands. By then, Kathy and Liam had woken up, groggily stretching and recounting their favorite parts of the night before.

"V, we did it!" Kathy grinned, throwing an arm around Violet. "The exhibition was a huge success."

Jade nodded. "Told you it would be. Not that you ever doubted us, right?" His teasing tone made her smile despite the lingering thoughts in her head.

Liam yawned. "You know, last night reminded me of the old days. When you used to talk about—"

"Who's hungry?" Violet cut in, reaching for her phone. "Breakfast is on me."

Jade shot her a knowing glance but didn't push further.

The day passed in a blur of laughter and light conversations, but deep down, Violet felt something shifting. Like an unseen thread was slowly pulling at her, unraveling things she had spent years stitching back together.

When evening rolled around, she finally returned home alone for the first time in days. The moment she stepped inside, an uneasy feeling settled in her chest.

She kicked off her shoes and flopped onto the couch, exhaling deeply before reaching for her phone. Without thinking much, she dialed Sophia's number.

"Violet?" Sophia's voice was warm, familiar.

"Hey," Violet said, a small smile creeping onto her lips. "Just wanted to tell you—the exhibition was a success."

"I knew it would be! I'm so proud of you, Vi."

They chatted for a while before Violet said goodnight and hung up. She debated calling her mother but decided she'd speak to her tomorrow.

Feeling restless, she settled onto her couch and absentmindedly scrolled through old photos on her phone. Pictures of last night, the exhibition, the people who had come to see her work. Then, older pictures... Jade, Kathy, and Liam laughing together, memories frozen in time.

She smiled, swiping through them, warmth blooming in her chest. But then—

She paused.

The next picture on the screen made her breath catch.

It was one she hadn't seen in years. One she had forgotten was even there.

A photo of her and Ethan.

He was looking at her instead of the camera, his signature smirk in place, eyes filled with something she couldn't name anymore. She remembered that moment... where they had been, what he had said right before the picture was taken. The rush of emotions hit her like a wave, unexpected and overwhelming.

Violet's fingers hovered over the screen, her heart pounding in her chest. She hadn't thought about this picture in so long.

Or maybe she had just forced herself not to.

She locked her phone abruptly and placed it face down on the table, exhaling sharply.

No. Not tonight.

But even as she closed her eyes, the image was burned into her mind, refusing to fade away.

Violet stared at the ceiling, the glow of the city lights filtering through her curtains, painting moving patterns on the walls. Sleep felt like a distant thing, something that refused to come no matter how much she tossed and turned.

The picture still haunted her mind. The way Ethan had looked at her in it... like she was his entire world. The weight of it settled in her chest, heavy and suffocating. She hated how easily the past had the power to drag her under, like an invisible thread weaving its way back into her life when she least expected it.

She pushed the blanket off and sat up slowly, rubbing her temples as a soft knock sounded at the door. A part of her wanted to ignore it, but she knew better. Her friends wouldn't let her hide away.

When she opened the door, Jade, Kathy, and Liam stood there, carrying takeaway coffee and breakfast in their hands.

"You look like you fought a war in your sleep," Kathy teased, stepping in first and setting down a bag of croissants.

"She does that a lot," Liam added, dropping onto the couch with a dramatic sigh. "You alright, V?"

"I'm fine. Just a little tired," Violet hesitated before shrugging. 

Jade didn't buy it.

"Fine isn't really convincing coming from you. Talk to us. What's going on in that overthinking brain of yours?" he set his coffee down and studied her carefully. 

"Nothing. It's just... last night. The exhibition, the memories, everything... it got me thinking about things I shouldn't be thinking about," she let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. 

"Ethan?" Kathy nudged her. 

Violet inhaled sharply but didn't deny it. They all knew anyway.

"It's been years," she said, voice quieter. "I thought I was past it. I thought I had moved on. But sometimes, I feel like no matter how far I go, the past has a way of pulling me back."

"Maybe it's not about the past pulling you back. Maybe it's something unresolved. Maybe you never got closure," Jade leaned forward, elbows on his knees. 

"Or maybe I did. Maybe I just don't want to accept it," Violet sighed, gripping her coffee cup tighter. 

The conversation lingered in the air, heavy yet familiar. They had been through this before, watched her struggle through the echoes of a love that once defined her. And yet, even as she admitted to the weight of it, she still wasn't ready to fully let go.