“SPACE BETWEEN US”

🌙 CHAPTER 12 — She Felt the Distance

The day after the presentation should have felt light.

It should have felt triumphant.

It should have felt like a victory.

But Lia woke with a strange heaviness in her chest — a quiet, persistent weight she couldn’t name. She sat up slowly, staring at the faint morning light spilling across her desk. Her notebook lay open, yesterday’s entry staring back at her:

“The more I grow, the more complicated everything feels.”

She closed it gently.

Today, she didn’t feel proud.

She didn’t feel accomplished.

She felt… unsettled.

🌤️ A Morning That Didn’t Feel Like Hers

When she arrived at the research building, her group greeted her with excitement.

“You were amazing yesterday,” Aria said, pulling her into a quick hug.

Mateo grinned. “The evaluators loved your explanation. We’re definitely getting a high score.”

Daniel stepped forward, his smile warm. “You carried us, Lia.”

She forced a smile. “We all did our part.”

But inside, her thoughts were tangled.

Because every time she remembered the presentation, she didn’t think of the applause.

She didn’t think of the evaluators’ nods.

She didn’t think of her group’s praise.

She thought of Evan.

The way he watched her.

The way his eyes softened when she spoke.

The way his presence steadied her more than she wanted to admit.

And that scared her.

📘 A Group Lunch That Felt Too Loud

Her group insisted on celebrating. They dragged her to a café near campus — a cozy place filled with warm lights and the smell of freshly baked bread.

Daniel sat beside her, closer than usual.

Aria teased her about her “professor-level explanation.”

Mateo kept raising imaginary glasses in her honor.

Lia laughed, smiled, tried to match their energy.

But her mind kept drifting.

She checked her phone once.

Then twice.

Then again.

No message from Evan.

Not even a simple “Good job.”

She told herself it didn’t matter.

She told herself she didn’t expect anything.

She told herself she shouldn’t care.

But she did.

More than she wanted to admit.

🌆 A Message That Came Too Late

When she finally returned to campus, her phone buzzed.

Her heart jumped.

Evan: Sorry I didn’t message earlier. Busy day. How are you feeling after the presentation?

Lia stared at the screen, her emotions twisting.

Relief.

Annoyance.

Warmth.

Confusion.

She typed slowly:

Lia: I’m okay. Just tired.

A moment later:

Evan: You were incredible yesterday. I hope you know that.

Her breath caught.

But instead of feeling comforted, she felt… something else.

Something sharp.

Something she didn’t understand.

Why did his message feel late?

Why did she feel disappointed?

Why did she expect more?

She didn’t know.

🌫️ An Afternoon That Felt Off-Balance

She headed to the library, hoping the quiet would help her breath. She found a corner table, opened her laptop, and tried to focus on her next assignment.

But her thoughts kept drifting.

To Daniel’s warmth.

To Aria’s teasing.

To Evan’s delayed message.

She didn’t want to feel this way.

She didn’t want to be confused.

She didn’t want her heart to complicate everything.

But feelings didn’t wait for permission.

They arrived uninvited, unannounced, unavoidable.

🌙 A Conversation That Created a Quiet Distance

She was reviewing her notes when someone sat across from her.

Evan.

Her breath caught.

He looked tired — not physically, but emotionally. His eyes searched her face, as if trying to read something she wasn’t saying.

“Hi,” he said softly.

“Hi,” she replied.

He leaned forward slightly. “You didn’t sound like yourself in your message.”

Lia looked down. “I’m just tired.”

“From the presentation?”

“From everything.”

He hesitated. “Did something happen?”

She shook her head. “No. I just… needed space today.”

Evan’s expression shifted — subtle, but unmistakable.

Not hurt.

Not angry.

Just… distant.

“I understand,” he said quietly.

But his voice didn’t sound understanding.

It sounded like stepping back.

Lia’s chest tightened.

“I didn’t mean—” she began.

“It’s okay,” he said, forcing a small smile. “You’re allowed to have off days.”

But something in his tone felt wrong.

Something felt heavier than her words.

Something felt like a line had been drawn — not by him, but by her.

And she didn’t know how to erase it.

🌌 A Moment She Didn’t Expect to Hurt

They studied together for a while, but the air felt different — not charged, not warm, not steady.

Just quiet.

Too quiet.

When they finally packed up, Evan stood.

“I’ll walk you back,” he said.

“You don’t have to.”

“I know,” he replied. “But I want to.”

The walk was silent.

Not comfortable.

Not tense.

Just… unfamiliar.

When they reached her dorm, Evan paused.

“Goodnight, Lia.”

“Goodnight,” she whispered.

He turned to leave — slower than usual, as if waiting for her to say something.

She didn’t.

And the distance between them felt bigger than the space they stood in.

📓 A Truth She Didn’t Want to Admit

Back in her room, Lia opened her notebook and wrote:

“Day 41. Today, something felt wrong.

Not because of what was said —

but because of what wasn’t.”

She paused, then added:

“Maybe growth comes with distance.

Maybe when you step forward,

You leave something behind.”

She closed the notebook gently.

Tomorrow, she will face new challenges.

Tomorrow, she will keep learning.

Tomorrow, she will keep growing.

But tonight, she allowed herself to feel the truth she didn’t want to name:

She was changing.

And the people around her were changing too.

Third Person point of view

Whatever will be, will be. Lia might feel different now, yet nothing is certain. Her feeling is natural because she isn't familiar with the people surrounding her. In life, only yourself can detect what is good or bad for you.