"No one has moved in yet. Your apartment has been vacant the whole time." You sighed into the phone, preparing to send another voicemail.

It's been 5 years since Simon, now better known as Ghost, abandoned his life for the military. Abandoned you. You didn't hate him. There weren't any hard feelings. Except for when there were. Some days you couldn't help but feel enraged at him for leaving you behind. The rage always transformed into a deep sulk. Then, for a short period, it would become understanding.

"There were more ways to deal with this than just leaving, Simon. I don't deserve this. You're a piece of shit." There was a beat between your words.

He left you with a key to apartment-sit, like he normally did, and he never returned. It wasn't a surprise. He talked about leaving all the time. But always with you. There wasn't any alarm, it was all silent. Simon gave everything he had to everyone, but it never seemed to be enough. It was enough for you. He was your best friend. You would have married him.

"I love you." The voicemail ended. He never responded to any of them. The military treated him well, all things considered. He saw things he never needed to, but he found his place. Even if it were without you. Except, that was the issue.

For days he paced back and forth, fighting with himself on how to respond; if he should. How do you enter someone's life again after disappearing for half a decade? Should you return? He fought himself constantly. That was until he was forced into a release to go back home for a few months. He had no choice but to return then, didn't he?

The cold morning of his return, you were in a period of understanding, teetering into anger. Bundled up in your coat to head to the market for some groceries, you met him on the staircase. Eyes on your feet momentarily before you met his face, just two steps below you.

"There you are," He tried to choke out casually. Your momentary silence made his heart drop. "I hoped you still lived here." He knew you lived here still.