Chapter 4 BACK IN HALLWAY

Ethan had travel out to Paris for college without telling Olivia, it was imprutu as the last hangout they had was actually the last chat they had.

Olivia, who couldn't reach Ethan and was worried, tried to ask after Ethan but was told he has travelled out by one of his friends. Olivia felt betrayed, why would Ethan leave without a word, and now he had disconnected all communications with me.

Years later, the afternoon sun poured through the cafe windows, casting a golden glow over the polished wooden tables.

Olivia sat in a cozy corner booth, her fingers nervously tracing the rim of her coffee cup at home. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the message Ethan had sent her years ago.

"Hey, Olivia.

It's been a long time.

How about we catch up?"

She had been hesitant at first, unsure of how their reunion would go. Their last conversation, all those years ago, had ended without any real closure.

They had shared that one fleeting moment in high school-full of unspoken words and could have been feelings. But life had pulled them in different directions.

Now,

Ethan was back.

Ethan had flew in that morning and was also looking for Olivia, he knew how he had left and was ready for explanation but still hevwasnt sure if he was ready to confront the past.

later in the cool evening he drove to cafe to get some drink, lost in his thoughts, door opened, and the familiar chime of the bell made him look up. His breath hitched.

Olivia stood in the doorway.

Olivia who has been working at a cafe shop had come to work that evening

She stood there in shock.

He looked different-older, more polished than the carefree high school guy she remembered.

His dark hair was neatly styled, his clothes tailored, and his confident stride showed he had grown into someone who had his life together. But that mischievous smile? The one that used to make her heart race? It was still there.

Olivia quickly wiped her palms on her jeans, trying to calm the sudden rush of nerves as he made his way over to her booth. "Hey," Ethan greeted her, his smile widening as he slid into the seat across from her. His voice was warm, carrying a hint of nostalgia. "It's good to see you.

"Yeah, it's been a while."

Olivia smiled, though her heart was pounding.

There was a pause.

The weight of the years between them hung in the air. It felt like the first day of high school again-when every glance, every word, carried more meaning than it should.

But this time, they were no longer teenagers. They were adults, each with their own life, their own history.

Ethan broke the silence first.

His gaze was steady. I have been thinking about you a lot lately, he admitted. About... everything that happened, before I travelled and went our separate ways.

Olivia's breath caught.

She had thought about it too. But hearing him say it aloud? It made everything feel real. She set her coffee cup down and leaned in slightly.

"What do you mean?"

Ethan exhaled slowly, his eyes softening.

Back in high school, there were things we never said to each other. Things I should have said. Things I regret not saying." He paused, holding her gaze. "I know it sounds crazy, but I have always wondered... what would have happened i would been honest with you back then?

Olivia swallowed hard.

She had buried those feelings for years, convinced nothing could come of them. I didn't know if you felt the same way, she admitted.

"We were just... friends, right?

Ethan's eyes flickered with something unreadable. "I didn't know either. But I think we both knew there was something more. Something we were both too scared to admit.

A silence fell between them.

Heavy.

Unspoken.

Olivia could feel her heart starting to race. All anger had disappear,She had not realized just how much she had missed him-how much she had wanted him to acknowledge what they had shared.

Before she could respond, their server arrived with a smile, placing a plate of croissants between them. The moment broke, and Ethan chuckled lightly. So, he said, grabbing a croissant, "How has life been treating you? What have you been up to all these years?" Olivia took a deep breath, steadying herself.

She was not sure if she was ready to revisit the past, how and why he left without a word, but it seems it was not entirely his fault and if they were going to move forward, they had to start somewhere.

Well she began, I have been focused on my career, trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. I have done some traveling, met new people, and learned a lot about myself along the way." She smiled slightly.

It's been... interesting." Ethan nodded, his eyes thoughtful. "Sounds like you have had quite the adventure. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the edge of the table. I have been doing a lot of the same. Work, life... you know how it goes.

Olivia tilted her head, curiosity bubbling up.

"Do you still... write?"

He raised an eyebrow.

You remember that?

She nodded.

I remember you used to write stories-about adventure, about dreams. You were good at it. Ethan laughed softly, though a hint of embarrassment flickered in his voice.

"Yeah, I did.

But I put it aside.

Work's been taking up most of my time. But..." He hesitated, a small, almost wistful smile playing on his lips. I think I want to pick it up again. Maybe even finish that one story I started in high school.

A spark of nostalgia flickered in Olivia's heart.

She remembered that notebook-the one he used to carry everywhere, filled with unfinished stories. It was one of the things she admired most about him-the way he always dreamed big. They talked for hours, reminiscing about their high school days and the paths their lives had taken. And for a moment, it felt like no time had passed at all.

But something gnawed at Olivia-an uneasiness she couldn't quite place. It wasn't just the nostalgia. It was something in Ethan's eyes. Something unreadable.

She shook the thought away, forcing herself to focus on the warmth of the conversation. The connection between them was still there-subtle but undeniable.

As the evening wore on, Olivia realized she was no longer just the girl who had a crush on Ethan. She was a woman now, with her own life, her own experiences.

But somewhere beneath all the changes... the spark was still there. Waiting to be rekindled.

Ethan got home that day feeling fulfilled but still, the bet from the past. Is their any need telling her? Well I guess that's the past and let me do away with that he said to himself.