EVELYN

The night felt as though it stretched infinitely, each second dragging me further into the hollow ache inside my chest.

My room, usually a safe haven, had turned into a prison, and the silence wrapped around me like rusted chains. I hadn’t been myself for what felt like forever. My whole body craved his built body, his cock pressing on my stomach, his presence, his warmth, and the familiar comfort of his arms around me as we drifted into sleep. Without him, my bed was a cold, barren space, and the night seemed like a curse from above. Sleep wouldn’t come, not even for a quick moment, and every toss and turn reminded me of his absence.

In desperation, I reached for the round-neck T-shirt he had casually left behind last week. It was draped over the chair like a loitering whisper of him. Bringing it to my face, I inhaled deeply, letting the faint scent of his citrusy sandalwood cologne wash over me.

The fragrance was faint now, diluted by time and distance just like us, but it was enough to make my heart clench. Tears brimmed in my eyes, distorting everything around me. My chest tightened painfully as the realization hit me again, everything I had of him was now just a distant memory, fragile and fleeting, like sand slipping through my fingers.

I staggered to the mirror, unable to recognize the face staring back at me. My beautiful eyes were now replaced with puffy red eyes, a bore witness to the sobs that had replaced what should have been peaceful dreams. My sweet, and restful nights were gone, replaced by the relentless ache of loneliness. “It’s just one night,” I whispered to myself, but it felt like an eternity. Survival seemed unlikely.

My phone buzzed, cutting through the stillness of the room like an unwelcome intruder. I picked it up hesitantly, and of course, it was Mike, the guy who seemed determined to insert himself into my life whether I wanted it or not. His text read: “Hello, dear. I really can’t wait to see you.” He ended it with an emoji blowing kisses.

I hissed under my breath, tossing the phone onto the bed. His insistence grated on my nerves. I glanced at the time, realizing I was supposed to get dressed. Of course, I hadn’t even thought about an outfit, let alone picked one. The very idea of rummaging through my closet felt exhausting, the kind of stress that comes when you know nothing you do will ever feel right.

For a moment, I thought about calling out to Dave to help me choose something. He’d always had an eye for these things, and always knew what would make me feel confident. But as I ran towards the door to get him to my room, the thought bestowed on me. A cruel reminder that I’d pushed him away. My sweet, annoying, protective big brother, was gone because of my harshness. Not even a full day had passed, and his absence felt like a gaping hole in my world.

With a disappointed sigh, I dragged myself to the closet, feeling a pang of disappointment that I had to do this alone. Mom wasn’t around either, she would have fussed over me, probably suggesting something I’d never wear but secretly loving the attention. Now, it was just me, a pile of clothes, and a growing sense of frustration.

I pulled out dress after dress, tossing them onto the bed until my room looked like a hurricane had passed through it. Why was I even bothering? Who was I trying to impress? Mike wouldn’t notice if I wore mismatched colors dressing like a rainbow and called it fashion. He’d probably nod approvingly and call me a trendsetter or even consider it as a secondary color. That thought made me chuckle despite myself.

Eventually, I settled on a simple yet elegant navy blue midi dress. It wasn’t too casual, but it wasn’t overly formal either. The neckline was low revealing half of my cleavage, with short sleeves that hugged my arms. The material flowed gently down to just below my knees, comfortable yet flattering. It was the kind of dress that said, I’m trying, but not too hard.

I sat in front of the mirror and began my makeup. I wasn’t in the mood for anything dramatic. A touch of mascara to make my tired eyes look alive, a swipe of rosy blush to bring some color back to my pale cheeks, and a layer of lip gloss for a subtle shine. My hair was another story. I brushed it out, letting the soft waves fall over my shoulders, then pinned back one side with a small silver clip. It was simple, but it would do, I guess.

When I was finally ready, I sat on the edge of the bed, dreading the evening ahead. Part of me hoped Mike would text to cancel, sparing me the effort of pretending to enjoy his company. Instead, a knock at the door startled me.

“Come in,” I called, praying it was Dave. But it was Dad.

“My angel,” he said warmly, stepping into the room. “You look beautiful.”

He pulled me into a hug and I let myself sink into the comfort of his embrace, taking in the smell of his coffee like oudwood. When he leaned back, he held my hands tightly and smiled. “Thank you for this. I’m really proud of you.”

His words stung in a way he couldn’t have known. I didn’t feel like the daughter he believed me to be. My fake smile faltered as I nodded.

“Mike’s waiting for you outside,” he added, beaming.

“Okay, Dad.”

“Take care of yourself and enjoy your date,” he said with a wink.

I managed another weak smile before clutching my bag around my shoulder and heading out. My red heels clicked against the tiled floor as I made my way to the front door, each step feeling heavier than the last.

Mike was waiting by his blue Lamborghini, leaning casually against the door as if he were posing for a magazine. He straightened when he saw me, opening the passenger door with a flourish.

“You look really amazing,” he said, flashing a grin.

“Thanks,” I replied, slipping into the seat.

As he drove, the silence between us grew awkward. He cleared his throat nervously. “So… what romantic name would you like to be called by your partner?”

I blinked, caught off guard by the question. “I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about it.”

He nodded, adjusting his glasses— a nervous habit, I realized. “Well, I’ve been brainstorming some ideas. “Maybe darling? Or sweetheart? Or pookie? Or buttercup?” Or something unique, like… ‘starshine’?”

I stifled a laugh. “Starshine? Really?”

He grinned sheepishly. “I thought it was creative.”

The effort he was putting in was almost endearing, but it wasn’t enough to bridge the gap between us. He kept glancing at me, clearly trying to gauge my reaction, and I could see he was desperate to please. He offered me mints, adjusted the air conditioning when I shifted in my seat, and even made a clumsy attempt at complimenting my perfume.

When we arrived at the restaurant, I couldn’t stop myself from glancing around, half-expecting to see Dave lurking somewhere. He’d always had a way of showing up at the worst—or best times. But tonight, he was nowhere to be found or maybe properly hiding.

Mike led me to a quiet corner table, leaning in closer than necessary as we sat down. His proximity made my skin crawl, but I forced myself to stay composed.

“You know,” he said, lowering his voice, “I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”

“Have you?” I replied, trying to sound interested.

He nodded earnestly. “I know I’m not perfect, but I really want to get to know you better. You’re really special, maybe that's why I’ve never been able to get you out of my head.”

I looked away, my gaze drifting to the door. Where was Dave? Why wasn’t he here to pull me out of this mess like he always did?

As the night wore on, Mike’s confidence grew, and so did his boldness. At one point, he reached across the to hold my waist, and I froze. His eyes met mine, and he leaned in, his intentions painfully obvious.

I wanted to pull away, to say something, anything, but the words wouldn’t come. I was trapped and the distance between us disappeared.

His lips brushed mine, and I thought he’d withdraw but he didn't, instead, he pressed caught my lower lips in his mouth and I felt nothing but a hollow ache. This wasn’t what I wanted. This wasn’t who I wanted.

When he pulled back, his smile was triumphant. I forced myself to smile back, but inside, I felt like I’d lost something.

This was my cruel fate. No prince charming was coming to save me. There was no last minute rescue, no grand gesture to sweep me off my feet. Just me, sitting beside someone I couldn’t love, pretending it didn’t hurt.

But truth be told, he was a good kisser. I think I underestimated him. Maybe I was trying to fit into my fate or I was saying the truth, I really don't know.

Somehow, I survived the night. Maybe he needs a chance.