Lost in the Interlude

That afternoon, campus felt louder than usual. But not for Evan Lee. To him, everything felt…off. Class had just ended. And Serena was nowhere to be found. Usually, around this hour, she would’ve already sent him a message — complaining about unfinished design assignments, sending blurry photocopies of lecture notes, or showing off a strawberry ice cream she had just bought. Today, there was nothing. No messages. No calls. No Serena. Evan stood in front of the Fashion Design building with both hands tucked inside his jacket pockets. His eyes scanned across the crowded campus courtyard, hoping to catch a familiar figure, even from afar. Long hair. Hurried footsteps. The habit of biting her lip whenever she was stressed. But all he saw were strangers passing by. “Van?” Evan turned when someone called his name. Hana. Serena’s classmate. “Have you seen Serena?” Evan asked immediately. Hana looked slightly confused. “Huh? She didn’t tell you?” Evan frowned. “Tell me what?” “She said she wasn’t feeling well, so she skipped class today.” Hana shrugged lightly. “I thought she already told you.” Evan didn’t answer right away. Something felt wrong. Serena could be dramatic. She complained a lot. She changed boyfriends way too often. But she never disappeared without telling Evan first. Not after what happened years ago. He pulled out his phone again. His last message still hadn’t been answered. Van, are you busy? That was the last thing Serena sent that morning. After that… nothing. An uncomfortable feeling slowly crept into Evan’s chest. “Van.” Hana called him again, but Evan had already turned away. “Hey, where are you going?” Evan lifted one hand slightly without looking back. “Where else?” Then he walked away, faster this time. Not toward home. Toward the only place that made sense. Serena’s apartment. Because if Serena truly wasn’t okay… Evan knew one thing for certain. She would never ask for help. And Evan wasn’t going to wait until she did. ⸻ Evan didn’t take long to arrive at Serena’s apartment. He knocked twice. No answer. He sighed quietly and knocked again, harder this time. “Serena.” Still silence. Just as he was about to knock again, the door lock clicked softly. The door opened slightly. Serena stood there looking far paler than usual. Her hair was messy, and her eyes were swollen like someone who had cried for hours. Evan immediately frowned. “You sick?” Serena didn’t answer immediately. She stared at him for a few seconds before opening the door wider. “Just come in.” Serena’s apartment was usually filled with design sketches, scattered fabrics, and soft music playing from her tiny speaker. Today, it felt silent. Too silent. Serena walked into the living room first before dropping herself onto the couch. Evan watched her quietly before sitting across from her. “So,” he said, leaning back casually, “why’d you skip class?” Serena let out a quiet laugh. A hollow one. “Got dumped again.” Evan didn’t even look surprised. “Which one?” Serena shot him a glare. “You’re annoying, you know that?” He shrugged lazily. “I just need context.” Serena rolled her eyes and leaned her head against the couch. “Jay.” “Oh.” “That’s it? Just ‘oh’?” “You want me to cry too?” Serena grabbed a small pillow and threw it at him. Evan caught it easily. Silence settled between them for a moment. Serena stared up at the ceiling. “He said I’m too complicated.” Evan stayed quiet. “He said I need too much attention.” Still quiet. “He said…” she paused briefly, “…I’m exhausting to deal with.” This time, Evan looked at her more seriously. “And?” Serena shrugged weakly. “So what?” Then she laughed softly again. “Turns out I’m not as pretty as the girl he’s seeing now.” She said it like it was some harmless joke. But Evan had known Serena for far too long to miss the way she hid pain behind humor. Evan stood up and walked toward the kitchen. He opened the fridge. Empty. Almost no food. He exhaled slowly. “What did you eat today?” Serena didn’t answer. “Serena.” “Not hungry.” Evan closed the fridge a little harder than he intended to. Then he walked back into the living room and stood in front of her. “How long haven’t you eaten?” Serena looked away. “Van, I’m just not in the mood.” Evan stared at her for a long moment. Then, without another word, he sat beside her. Closer than usual. “Serena.” This time, his voice sounded softer. “What exactly did he say to you?” Serena laughed quietly again. “He just said…” she stopped for a second. “…my body still looks big compared to the girl he likes now.” The room instantly felt colder. Evan stared at her. The relaxed look in his eyes slowly darkened into something heavier. Serena lowered her head. “Funny, right?” “I tried really hard to lose weight.” Her hands clenched tightly on her lap. “But I guess it’s still not enough.” Evan didn’t answer. He just sat there beside her. Very close. And for the first time that day, his voice trembled slightly. “Serena.” She slowly lifted her head. Evan looked straight at her. “You don’t need to change yourself for someone like him.” Serena smiled faintly. “Everyone says that.” She shrugged. “But still…” Her voice became smaller. “…nobody stays.” Several seconds passed before Evan finally spoke. “I’m still here.” Serena stared at him quietly before letting out a small laugh. “You’re different.” Evan raised an eyebrow. “How?” Serena leaned her head back against the couch. “Because you were never my boyfriend.” Silence. Then Evan let out a dramatic sigh. “Oh my God, Serena,” he said while shaking his head, “I thought we settled this years ago.” Serena turned to him. “Settled what?” Evan leaned back casually. “My standards are high.” Serena immediately threw another pillow at his face. “Evan!” He laughed while pulling the pillow away. “What? I’m an art student. I need to protect my image.” “Image? You literally came to campus wearing hotel slippers once.” “That was a fashion statement.” “That was embarrassing.” Evan grinned. “You’re just jealous you didn’t think of it first.” And finally— Serena laughed. A real one this time. For the first time since Evan arrived, she looked a little more alive. Evan noticed it quietly. Good. At least he managed to make her laugh. Even if only for a moment.