Across the divide

Chapter 19: New Challenges

As the months passed, Liam and Mateo continued to navigate the ups and downs of their relationship. The pressure of college, sports, and the demands of being apart sometimes felt really overwhelming for both of them. But through every challenge and struggles, they found ways to stay close together, whether it was a surprise visit, heartfelt letters, or simply being there for each other in the quiet moments during their time in collage.

One particular challenge came when Liam was offered an internship over the summer in a different city, one that would keep him even farther away from Mateo. When Liam told him about the opportunity, Mateo’s smile faltered a bit, though he tried to stay supportive.

“That’s amazing, Liam,” Mateo said, forcing enthusiasm into his voice. “You should definitely go for it.”

Liam hesitated. “I know it’s far, and it means we won’t see each other as much…”

Mateo waved it off, though Liam could see the worry in his eyes. “We’ll figure it out. This is your future—we can handle it.”

But as the summer approached, the reality of their situation weighed heavily on both of them.