Ella’s POV
It was one of those rare, quiet afternoons where the world outside my window seemed to move in slow motion. Inside, the buzz of our study session at home was anything but slow. The three of us, Lily, Sophie, and I were gathered in my room, textbooks strewn around us. It was time to buckle down and prepare for the big exams that were looming just around the corner.
Sophie, as usual, was bouncing between textbooks and snacks with the energy of a kid on a sugar high. “So, Lily,” she said, grinning from ear to ear, “how’s your study buddy? Khian still keeping you on your toes?”
Lily looked up from her notes, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Oh, come on, Sophie. Not this again.”
I tried to stifle my laughter. “Sophie, you’re relentless.”
Sophie waggled her eyebrows playfully. “What can I say? It’s my job to keep things interesting. And Lily, you’ve got to admit, you’ve been a lot more... cheerful lately.”
Lily rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. “Okay, okay, I get it. Khian’s a great guy. Happy?”
“Happy doesn’t begin to cover it,” Sophie teased. “You’re practically glowing.”
I laughed, trying to focus on my history notes but unable to escape the lively banter. “Let’s just try to get some studying done before Sophie turns this into a full-blown soap opera.”
---
Hours passed in a blur of studying and laughter. We took breaks to snack and complain about the endless piles of material we had to cover. Sophie was determined to make everything fun, which included turning our study session into a game of “Who Can Recite the Most Facts Before Eating a Cookie?”
Just as I was about to bury my face in my notes, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen, and my heart skipped a beat. It was a message from Ethan. He wanted to talk, just the two of us, outside my house. Isn't it late for him to go outside? 
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the rush of nerves. “Guys, I need to step outside for a bit. Ethan wants to talk.”
Sophie’s eyes widened. “Ooooh, this is going to be good. Do you think he’s going to confess his undying love or something?”
I rolled my eyes but felt a twinge of anxiety. “I hope it’s just a chat. I don’t really know.”
Lily gave me a sympathetic smile. “Good luck. If you need anything, we’ll be here.”
---
I headed outside, feeling the cool evening air against my skin. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the street. Ethan was already waiting by the old tree, looking more serious than I’d ever seen him.
“Hey,” I said, trying to sound casual.
“Hey,” he replied, giving me a small, nervous smile. “Thanks for coming.”
I nodded, feeling my stomach twist. “What’s up?”
Ethan took a deep breath, clearly struggling with his words. “I’ve been thinking a lot about us. About everything that’s happened.”
I tensed, waiting for him to continue. His eyes were full of uncertainty. “I just don’t... know where we stand right now. I can't find the right words.”
His words felt like a punch to the gut. I tried to hold back the tears, but it was impossible. “So, what does this mean? Are you... leaving?”
Ethan looked pained, but he didn’t deny it. “I’m not leaving you. I just... need space. To clear my head.”
I could feel the tears spilling over, my heart breaking with every word. “So you want to be alone, just like before?” my voice started to get cracky. "Six years, Ethan! You where gone six whole years! And come back like a pop from the sky... "
He reached out as if to comfort me, but I took a step back. “No, Ethan. You always leave when things get tough. Why should now be any different?”
"You don't even know how much I struggle all this year's because of you, for nothing right?" I laughed sarcastic but it's also very painful that it hurts me so deep. He didn't say anything.
"I've been carrying this painful memories since we where kids, there's no days and nights I didn't blame myself that you leave because of me. The world turned back to me like a shadow, and until now I can't escape... "
The silence between us was heavy. I tried to keep my voice steady, but it cracked. “I don’t need you to find yourself. I needed you to be here. But I guess that’s too much to ask too.” I smiled painly.
Ethan opened his mouth to respond, but I cut him off. “Don’t. Just don’t. If you need space, then go. But don’t expect me to keep waiting.”
I turned away, feeling my heart shatter with each step. I didn’t look back, knowing that if I did, I’d crumble even more.
As I walked back home, the pain was overwhelming, but there was something else, too. A realization that maybe I didn’t need Ethan to be complete. It hurt, more than I can describe, but maybe it was time to start healing on my own.
---
I went back inside, trying to shake off the pain. Sophie and Lily were still studying, their voices filled with the usual banter. I forced a smile as I rejoined them, trying to act normal despite the storm inside me.
“What happened?” Lily asked with a soft smile from her face.
Sophie asked too, but also confused . “Ella, are you okay? What did Ethan say?”
I couldn’t respond. I start sobbing too hard on the floor letting my body meet the floor, my body heaving with each breath. I felt like I couldn’t breathe, like my chest was being crushed under the weight of everything.
Both of them rush towards my direction while panicking of my sudden expression. “We need to get help! Someone has to know what to do.” I'm not sure who that voice belongs, all I can feel is pain.
In their panic, Sophie grabbed her phone and started dialing Khian’s number. “I’m calling Khian! He’ll know what to do.” she said, her voice high-pitched with stress.
Lily was so worried, her hands wringing together. “Sophie, what if he doesn’t pick up? What if something happens?”
I could barely process their words. My vision was blurring, my head spinning. Suddenly, I felt a rush of painfulness and everything went dark. I collapsed onto the floor, my sobs turning into a faint, muffled sound.
Sophie’s phone call was urgent and frantic. “Khian, it’s Sophie. Ella’s having a breakdown. She’s crying and now she’s— HOLLY SHIT! she’s on the floor! I don’t know what to do, Khian!”
Khian’s voice was calm but concerned. “I’m coming over. Stay with her, Sophie and promise me to stay her calm as long say you can please keep calm.”
Sophie response nodding her head, hung up and knelt beside me, tears streaming down her face. “Ella, stay with us. Please, just hold on.... ”
When Khian arrived, he took one look at the scene and immediately took charge. He gently lifted me up, his hands steady and reassuring. “Ella, it’s going to be okay. We’re here now.”
Lily tried to help Sophie calm down, but their worry was evident. Sophie’s face was red and tear-streaked, and Lily’s hands were shaking. The room was filled with a frantic energy as they tried to make sense of the situation.
Khian carefully laid me back on the bed, and I slowly started to come around. My vision slowly become clear, and I saw the worried faces of my friends looking down at me. The pain in my chest was still there, but the comforting presence of my friends was grounding.
Sophie was beside herself. “I’m so sorry, Ella. I didn’t know what to do... ”
Lily was trying to catch her breath, her face pale. “We thought we lost you.”
I looked up at them, my voice hoarse. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
Khian cut me off, his voice gentle but firm. “Shh enough talking, Ella. Your priorities right now is to get some rest. Keep your heart calm, understood?” I nodded my head and closed my eyes.
Even though the pain was still fresh and raw, I felt a small sense of relief knowing I wasn’t alone.