Chapter 5- Hearts on a time delay
221 Words
Élise had never been much of a romantic.
Not until Luca.
It wasn’t just his words—it was the spaces between them. The way he paid attention. The way he asked how her therapy sessions were going, or how he remembered she hated thunderstorms even though she’d only mentioned it once.
Tonight was quiet. No texts yet. And that silence? It felt… loud.
She opened her notes app and started typing, not even sure if she’d send it.
“I miss you when you’re not online. Isn’t that strange? I don’t even know how tall you are. I don’t know the way your laugh sounds in person or how your eyes shift when you’re lying. But I miss you. Every single time.”
She stared at the words. Then deleted half of them.
Instead, she texted:
“Starry sky in Montreal tonight. Wonder if it’s the same where you are.”
Almost instantly:
“It is. Maybe we’re not that far apart after all.”
Her heart fluttered. Again.
They talked about stars, childhood dreams, and the absurdity of long-distance feelings. But nothing felt absurd—not with him.
When she said goodnight, he replied:
“Goodnight, Élise. Sleep safe. You’re under the same sky, remember?”
And for the first time in a long time, she fell asleep smiling.
- Writer
