LOVE ME, ADELINE (187 days to fall)

The soft, steady rhythm of water hitting tile filled the small bathroom, steam curling along the walls like a quiet secret. It was the kind of sound that drowned out the world—no thoughts, no worries, just warmth and silence. Adeline Maxwell stood beneath the shower, eyes closed, letting the water run over her skin as if it could wash away the heaviness she never spoke about. For a moment, she allowed herself to exist without expectations—no deadlines, no responsibilities, no past. Just peace. She exhaled slowly, tilting her head back as the last traces of sleep slipped away. Today was supposed to be simple. Easy. A girls’ picnic—sunlight, laughter, poetry, and maybe a little wine if they felt bold enough. Nothing complicated. Nothing dangerous. Nothing that hinted at how quickly life could change. With a soft sigh, she reached forward and turned off the shower. The sudden silence felt louder than the water ever was. Droplets clung to her skin as she stepped out, wrapping herself in a towel, the mirror already fogged beyond recognition. Adeline wiped a small circle into the steam, her reflection slowly coming into view. Dark eyes. Soft lips. A face that carried more stories than she ever wrote. “Get it together,” she murmured to herself, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She moved into her room, sunlight spilling through the curtains, warm and inviting. Clothes were already laid out on the bed—a light, floral dress, perfect for the afternoon. Feminine. Effortless. Safe. Everything about today felt safe. She slipped into the dress, smoothing it down her sides before reaching for her jewelry. Simple earrings. A delicate necklace. Nothing too much. Just enough to feel like herself. Her phone buzzed from the bedside table, breaking the quiet. Probably the girls. Or her boyfriend. Her lips curved slightly at the thought, a warmth settling in her chest as she reached for it—completely unaware that this would be the last normal moment she’d have for a long time. Because somewhere, beyond the sunlight and soft laughter waiting for her… Something dark was already watching. She checked her phone, it was a text from her friend's group. Lila: Hey Deline, everyone is here already. Get ya ass down here. She ignored the text completing some finishing touches on her makeover. The second text came again. Lila: I'm getting pissed Adeline. (Angry emojis) Adeline sighed, she picked up her car keys and left the room. The park was alive with color—green grass stretching endlessly, laughter floating in the air, and the soft hum of music from nearby groups. Adeline sat on the picnic blanket with her friends, trying—really trying—to be present. “Girl, you’re not even listening,” one of them teased, nudging her. “I am!” Adeline laughed, forcing a smile. But her mind kept drifting. Back to him. It always did. “Is he coming?” another friend asked casually, but the tone carried curiosity… maybe even judgment. Adeline hesitated. “I didn’t invite him.” That was true. It's been weeks since she saw him and she won't deny that she misses him so much. She's been having sleepless nights, feeling eyes on her since he left for the lob hunt at Ibiza. They talked less and well....she felt distant from him. Georgina, one of her friends in the quad tapped her again for the fourth time since she zoned out. "You sure you okay? " she asked with a worried face. It was unusual for her to be this way so she understands her friends worries. She was about to reply her when she heard someone call out to her. " Adela" No one calls her that except one person. She looked up… and froze. Her heart thumped so fast she thought it might burst. There he was—standing a few feet away, wearing the same warm, familiar smile she hadn’t seen in weeks. “Lucas?” she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. Before he could answer, she was already running. Her heels dug into the grass, her hair bouncing with every step. “You’re here!” she cried, throwing herself into his arms. He caught her easily, wrapping her in a tight embrace. She buried her face in his shoulder, overwhelmed with relief and joy. “I can’t believe you’re here!” she whispered. “I couldn’t stay away for too long,” he said softly, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. Then, with a mischievous grin, he held her hands and twirled her around. She laughed so hard her friends stopped to watch, their own smiles wide. The world seemed to tilt, the sunlight catching her hair as he spun her carefully, making her feel weightless, like nothing else mattered except this moment. When he finally set her down, their foreheads touched, and they stayed like that for a heartbeat, smiling into each other’s eyes. “I missed you so much,” Adeline murmured. “I missed you too… more than I can say,” he replied, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. She blushed as she turned to face her friends who were already grinning. " How did you know we were here? " She asked. " Lila sent me the location, we planned the surprise together." He said briefly. " What a way to surprise ya girlfriend, am i right girls?" Lana said, the third girl in the quad, Lila's twin. And they all refrained 'yes'. Adeline giggled. " We are so happy ya back Lucas, you needed to see Deline's face earlier. She couldn't even focus on the girls gist" Lila added. " Girls gist? What happened? Oh f**k, why didn't y'all tell me you were talking about the girls gist? Traitors" she spoke feigning tears and sniffles to make them feel guilty. Lucas pulled her into another bear hug, a short peck on her forehead. Adeline grinned sticking her tongue out at the girls childishly. " Okay now that's the Adeline we know " they all laughed at once. " Let the picnic begin " They all settled on the mat, bringing out their different goodies since it's a colour picnic. Adeline brought out hers too but as she did so, she couldn't shrug off the feelings of eyes watching her.