Black Swan

Old Wounds

Selene dragged herself out of bed as the morning sun beamed in her face, the alarm buzzing like a cruel reminder of her exhaustion. She had an early shift at the Hartland Hotel, and though her body begged her to stay under the covers, her mind urged her to get. She showered, dressed in her crisp uniform, and tied her hair back in a neat ponytail. She put a little makeup to conceal the tiredness under her eyes, with eyeliner and some lip gloss. Malik had already left to go to work, leaving her text saying, "Bringing chinese when I get home. What do you want?"

She sent back a text saying, "Chow mein, pork dumplings, and an egg roll. Cashapp you later." Then she was off to work.

After she clocked in, she helped her coworkers clean and run inventory before the tourists started coming in, whispering about hauntings they hoped to encounter. Selene took a deep breath and slipped into her role—the guide, the storyteller, the one who made the hauntings feel both thrilling and distant.

In the third floor hallway, Selene passed by the Hartlands, who stood side by side as always. The old owners watched her with pale, patient eyes, their presence lingering like a secret the living weren't meant to know. Selene pressed on, ignoring them as though they were wallpaper, her voice smooth as she explained the history of a bloody wedding night in 1892.

The hours dragged, but she was thankful for the distraction. The last tour group dwindled just as noon approached. She handed out pamphlets, gave her usual warning about the "haunted" guest suites that they were welcome to stay in, and tried not to glance over her shoulder at the Hartlands' apparitions, which still lingered.

When she finally clocked out, her feet ached and her head throbbed. She stepped into the daylight, grateful for the promise of a nap before—hopefully—Lucas's visit tonight. She'd never admit it out loud, but the thought of him showing up made her stomach twist with nervous anticipation.

Then she froze.

Leaning casually against a nearby car, hands in his pockets, was a face she hadn't seen in over two years. Julian Cruz. Her heart stopped, skipped, then thudded painfully against her ribs. He looked almost the same, just older and more rugged. His hair, once cut and trimmed neatly, was longer now, neatly styled in a low bun. He wore a classic white button-up shirt and khaki pants which gave him a polished look that clashed with the messy way he had exited her life.

"Selene," he greeted softly, voice almost breaking. "It's good to see you again."

Selene shook her head, her chest tightening. "I wish I could say the same for you."

Her words hit him hard—she could see it in the way his mouth pressed into a line and his gaze dropped to the pavement. "I know. I deserve that," he admitted. "I just... Malik said You've been working here, and I thought... maybe I could finally see you again. I was a coward before. Afraid to face you after the way I left."

Selene crossed her arms, trying not to remember the nights she'd cried herself to sleep because he couldn't handle her grief. "What are you doing here, Julian?"

He looked up, hope flickering in his eyes. "Can we get coffee? Just... catch up? My treat. Please."

She studied him, her irritation battling against the pang of curiosity. "Did Malik send you to do this?"

Julian shook his head quickly. "No. I only asked him where you worked, but this—this was all me. I just wanted to see you again."

Against her better judgment, she agreed. A part of her wanted to know what he had to say. Maybe closure, maybe something else. They drove separately and met at Java Mama, the little café she had loved years ago. To her surprise, it had been renovated—fresh paint, modern lights, and a more polished menu board. But the smell of coffee beans was the same, grounding her in a wave of nostalgia.

When she walked in, Julian was already waiting. He handed her a cup with a shy smile. "Upside down caramel macchiato, extra caramel syrup, caramel drizzle. I remembered."

She accepted it reluctantly, warmth spreading through her hands. "Thanks."

They sat at a small table near the window. Silence stretched between them until a crash shattered it. A stack of cups tumbled from the counter, startling nearby customers. Selene's breath caught when she saw the reason why—a ghostly woman, visible only to her, was standing behind the barista. Her face was streaked with tears, her mouth twisted in rage.

"I gave you too many years of my life! You replaced me like I was nothing! And no one even cares! NO ONE!" the spirit screamed, her voice reverberating in Selene's skull.

The barista bent down to pick up the fallen cups, oblivious. Selene's chest tightened. She blinked hard, refocusing on Julian.

"So... the Hartland, huh?" Julian asked, sipping his coffee, and bringing her attention back to him. "You like working there?"

Selene cleared her throat and forced a small smile. "Yeah. It's nice. Are your parents doing okay?"

He nodded, "They're doing much better, actually. They're still in New York with my lolo, and I just wanted to come back when I...I mean, I just wanted to come back and start new." He was looking at her the way he did when they got together for the first time, and Selene had to stop it before he thought he had another chance.

A beat passed, heavy with things unsaid as she thought of what she wanted to say. She stared at the caramel swirl in her cup, then sighed. "Look, Julian, I don't know what this is, or why you decided to come back. But I don't think I can sit here and pretend to be okay with you just dropping back into my life."

He leaned forward, panic flashing in his eyes. "Wait. Please. Just hear me out." His hand brushed against hers, and she recoiled instantly, pulling back as if his touch burned. Julian winced. "I just... I wanted to apologize. For everything. For the way I ended things. I missed you, Selene. I miss us. I didn't know what I was hoping for, but... I guess I hoped you did too ."

Her heart raced. Of course, she had wanted to hear those words once. But now? Too much had changed. Too much was broken. And quite frankly, it was too little, too late.

Before she could respond, a familiar voice cut through the café.

"Look at you two lovebirds."

Selene groaned. Malik strolled in, grinning as he dropped into the seat beside her. Julian flushed with embarrassment.

"I'm glad you're both here," Malik said casually, "so this dickhead can stop asking me about you."

Selene rolled her eyes. "Well, now it can be just you two dickheads. I'm leaving." She stood, grabbing her bag. "Thanks for the coffee, Julian."

She walked out, her heart thudding, eager for the sanctuary of her bed and the promise of a nap.

Julian watched her leave, disappointment etched across his face. Malik leaned back in his chair, shaking his head.

"I told you this wasn't going to work," Malik muttered.

Julian sighed. "Yeah. I guess I was wrong."

"Maybe if you were quicker, you'd have a chance," Malik said. "But I think she's with someone else now."

Julian's head snapped up. "What? She's dating someone else? Who?"

Malik smirked, shaking his head. "I don't know... I guess, I haven't even met the mothafucka yet. And honestly, I don't really care to. I barely even wanted you dating her. But what will I say? You're too late, man."

Julian slumped in his chair, staring at his now cooling coffee. "Yeah. I wish you'd told me that sooner, bro. But... at least I tried."

Malik shrugged. "Sometimes trying ain't enough."

Outside, Selene climbed into her car, gripping the steering wheel with trembling hands. She wasn't sure what stung more—Julian thinking he could come back into her life, or the fact that a small part of her still cared.

Julian had come back too late. And her life had already taken a turn into something far more dangerous than old heartbreak.