THE REWRITE || Mystery Romance

Steps Into Tomorrow

Two weeks later...

On the cold surface of an old bench, the warm breeze of late morning caresses my skin, just like his touch on my hand. In this noisy place, there's a gentle whisper in the air, like his voice that still lingers in my ears. Even on this ordinary day, the sunlight filtering through the trees shines bright, just like his simple smile.

"Maybe some people are just meant to pass by our life," I murmured.

Maybe I didn't fall in love with him.

Maybe I just fell in love with the way he made me feel, for once.

"Uhm," my thoughts were interrupted by the sweet smell of bananacue that Jhane handed to me, one of our favorites. She always invites me here during snack time.

"You're being an astronaut again. Always in outer space," she teased while digging into her snack. "I thought you wanted to be an architect. Seems like you actually want to be an astronaut the most. You're so complicated."

"Yeah," I just agreed. No comment. Whatever she says.

"You want to be an astronaut now?" she asked, looking at me in disbelief.

Oh great. She misunderstood again.

"Yeah. It's complicated," I replied bluntly, continuing to eat. It was actually a response to her earlier comment, I just didn't have the energy to explain.

"You're unbelievable," she muttered, shaking her head.

We're often like this, chatting, misunderstanding, but our friendship only grows stronger. I like the way she thinks. She's so simple-minded.

"Jhane, have you ever been in love?"

The question suddenly slipped out like lightning about to strike.

I wanted to pull it back, but there's no undo button.

Now Jhane's eyes were wide as she stared at me.

Oh, good gods. Please spare me from whatever's about to happen.

"Ahhh!" she squealed, giggling and covering her face. "Oh my God! Seriously? You just asked me about love?"

I can't believe such a simple question flipped her entire personality upside down.

I frowned.

"Girl, that question you just asked is as rare as a gemstone!" she added, grinning.

I gave her a look that said: Just answer the question.

"Ohw, actually... not yet," she replied, smiling awkwardly.

I stared at her and blinked several times, trying to communicate how adorable she was, so much that I wanted to pinch her cheeks until they turned red.

"Are you?" she asked back, her grin turning devilish.

"I don't know," I replied, looking away from her creepy expression, honestly creepier than my wide smile.

"Oh my God! This is so hot! The topic just got out of the pot!" she exclaimed, fanning herself with one hand. "Tell me who the lucky guy is!" she added, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"You know... it's kind of pathetic. Crying over someone who never even knew I liked him," I said softly, surprising even myself. Her excitement faded.

"Don't worry. I'm okay now," I continued. "He's just a random guy I met years ago. We didn't even know each other formally."

I tried to laugh bitterly at the memory.

"And he's engaged now."

But I couldn't hide the pain in my voice. I looked blankly toward the far field.

Then Jhane pulled me into a warm hug.

"Hey, Ley," she said softly, her voice muffled against my shoulder. "Don't think you're pathetic, okay? If anything, you're just... human."

She pulled back slightly from the hug, placing her hands gently on my shoulders and looking at me intently, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. "And you know what? If that guy didn't see you, then he clearly needs better glasses. Like... super-ultra-mega-thick glasses."

She hugged me again. I blinked, caught off guard by her words. For a moment, the weight in my chest felt lighter, like someone had lifted a stone I hadn't realized I was carrying. A warmth spread through me, quiet and gentle, the kind that doesn't demand attention but lingers anyway.

I wanted to argue, to brush it off, but her earnest gaze held me still. A small, reluctant smile tugged at my lips. Jhane's silliness, her ridiculous metaphors, and her unwavering presence, it all reminded me that I wasn't alone.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for now.

She pulled back slightly, still holding onto my arms. "Listen, you're not alone. You've got me now. And honestly, I'm way more fun than some engaged guy you barely knew. I'm single, available, and I don't even charge for my company." She winked dramatically.

Despite myself, I let out a small laugh.

"i***t," I muttered, but my lips curved upward anyway.

"Exactly," she said proudly, grinning wide. "I'll be your i***t best friend. No refunds, no returns."

For the first time in a long while, I laughed freely with her.

* * *

After that emotional conversation, we went back to the classroom. The chatter of our classmates filled the air, voices overlapping, chairs scraping against the floor, the familiar chaos of a college room in the middle of a break.

I slipped quietly into my seat, pulling out my notebook, pretending to review sketches. Jhane, of course, plopped down beside me as if it was her rightful throne.

"Hey," she whispered dramatically, leaning close, "don't worry, your secret's safe with me. I won't tell anyone that our serious Leyanne Ramos is actually capable of liking someone."

I gave her a sharp look. "Keep your voice down."

She stifled a laugh but her grin remained. "Relax, I'm not going to announce it with a megaphone. Though, to be honest, it would make me really popular if I did."

I rolled my eyes, but her persistence chipped away at my cold facade. Somehow, she always managed to make me feel a little lighter.

Throughout the afternoon, I caught her smiling at me whenever our eyes met. Not the mischievous grin she usually wore, but something softer, like she was silently reminding me I wasn't alone.

By the time classes ended, she was already gathering her things. "I'm walking you home," she declared, leaving no room for argument.

I tried to protest,

"You don't have to-"

"Too late. Already decided." She slung her bag over her shoulder and grinned. "Besides, who knows what kind of shady guys are out there? I'll protect you with my... uh... banana stick." She pulled out the leftover skewer from our earlier snack like it was a sword.

I couldn't help but snort. "You're ridiculous."

"Exactly. That's why I'm the perfect bodyguard," she replied proudly.

As we walked side by side down the familiar road, our conversation wandered from one random topic to another.

When we finally reached my house, she suddenly grew quiet. Then, without warning, she threw her arms around me in another hug, tighter this time.

"Ley," she said softly, "don't let the past keep hurting you. You deserve to smile, okay? So, if you forget how... I'll just make you laugh until you remember."

For a moment, I stayed still, surprised at the warmth of her words. Then I let myself relax in her embrace.

"i***t," I whispered, though my voice softened with gratitude.

"Yup. Your i***t best friend," she said with a grin, pulling back.

As I watched her walk away, I felt a strange warmth settle in my chest. Jhane was loud, simple, often ridiculous, but she was also genuine. She stayed.

* * *

That evening, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, letting the silence wrap around me. My thoughts drifted back to everything that had happened. It was the first time I had ever shared something so fragile, so personal, with a friend. For once, the heaviness I carried didn't feel as suffocating. Somehow, it was lighter.

"Jhane is right," I whispered into the dark. "I don't have to shoulder it alone. Having someone to carry it with me... is so much better."

My gaze wandered to the small box resting on my bedside table. Its presence was ordinary to most, yet to me, it felt heavier than gold. Something that many my age would celebrate, clutch proudly, and claim as part of their freedom.

"Why not try?" I whispered softly. "I don't think I have anything to lose if I do." I forced a small smile, trying to convince myself.

I reached for it, my fingers brushing against the smooth lid, and slowly lifted it open.

"This is it," I murmured, feigning excitement, pretending I was thrilled.

Inside lay a phone.

"This is a very nice gift," I whispered to myself. "I should be happy. I should be excited."

I tried to force a smile, but it wavered, fragile, as if it might break at any second.

I knew it wasn't just a gift. It was a key.

A key to something they wanted me to step into.

Their purpose.

And soon... perhaps will be mine as well.

My thumb hovered over the power button, trembling slightly. It was such a small thing, just a press, just a flicker of light, yet it felt like stepping onto a path I couldn't turn back from. My chest tightened as if the air itself grew heavier.

"What if this changes everything?" I whispered into the silence. "What if I'm not ready?"

For a long moment, I simply stared at the dark screen, my reflection faintly staring back. And then, with a breath I didn't know I was holding, I pressed the button.

Still, fear coiled quietly in my chest.

What if I wasn't ready for what waited behind that screen? What if their purpose stripped away the little pieces of myself I was still trying to gather?

I tightened my hold on the phone, feeling the weight of unspoken promises in its silence.

For a moment, I closed my eyes and let the thought linger like a fragile flame.

I shook my head. "You're just overreacting, Ley," I muttered to myself.

I finally turned on the phone. Exploring it slowly, I adjusted the settings until everything felt just right.

"That's more like it," I murmured, satisfied.

Since the SIM card was new, it came with free data and load, so I started downloading the essential apps right away.

"Messenger," I said under my breath while scrolling through the app store. "Check."

"f*******:," I typed quickly. "Check."

Once the downloads were finished, the very first thing I did was add Jhane.

"You troublemaker," I whispered, staring at her profile picture. "I don't even know how I'd laugh or smile without you."

Next, I searched for some of my old classmates from elementary school, the girls I hadn't seen in years. Then a few friends from high school.

"I missed these people..." I chuckled softly. "They're just as mischievous as Jhane."

Then my fingers hesitated over the search bar. Slowly, I typed, "Jake A-" but I stopped.

No. Better not.

"Sorry, Bhest," I whispered to the quiet glow of the screen. "It's better this way. You need to focus on reaching your future first."

The truth was, I couldn't let myself fall into something that might destroy the fragile friendship we shared. Some things are simply too precious to risk.

"Good night," I whispered, my gaze lingering on the screen before pressing the button to turn the phone off.

That night, it wasn't just about powering down a device. It was about choosing to open a door I had long kept closed. Each choice, each connection, no matter how small, became a step forward.

A step into tomorrow.

A tomorrow I was finally ready to face...