You’re sitting on the couch in your mother’s living room, a glass of wine in your hand, while a movie plays in the background.

But your thoughts are elsewhere.

Not on the movie on the screen. Not on the wine.

They’re on him.

Lando.

It’s been almost a year now since you met him in Monaco.

It was just a chance encounter, a conversation that wasn’t supposed to happen.

Three weeks that brought you closer.

Walks through quiet alleys, simple dinners, endless conversations on park benches or under the sheets in his apartment.

Three weeks that felt like two seconds.

But after that, you had to go back home. Back to your life.

Without him.

“You’re thinking about him again, aren’t you?” Your mother asks softly, her eyes still fixed on the screen.

You slowly turn your head toward her.

You hesitate, then nod. “Yeah…he…he got under my skin and..no matter what I do…I can’t shake him off.”

She smiles gently and turns to face you. “When you fall in love with someone…I don’t know if you ever really can shake them off.”

You swallow hard.

Her words hit you right where it hurts the most.

Because it was love.

You’re sure of it.

Even if you never openly said it.

Even if it was never “official,” out of fear of what the world, especially the internet, would say.

The cruel comments, the endless speculation, the pressure…it became too much.

The distance.

The uncertainty.

The aching.

And still, you can’t forget him.

Suddenly, your phone vibrates. Your heart skips a beat. The screen lights up.

A message.

From the person you can't stop thinking about.

Lando : Hey. I have to say this now. I just thought about what you used to say whenever I had hiccups…you know, “Someone’s thinking of you.”

There’s another message.

Lando : I know we said it was best to go our separate ways…but I can’t keep pretending there was nothing between us. I miss you. Every day. And if I’m being honest…I never stopped loving you.

Your head spins.

Your fingers tremble as you pull the phone closer.

Your heart pounds in your chest and for a moment, the whole world is just those words.

“Is it him?” Your mother asks calmly.

You nod slowly, tears glimmering in your eyes. “Yeah…” You whisper.

She gently places a hand over yours. “Then don’t run. Not this time. This boy loves you. Give yourselves a chance.”

You look at her for a long moment.

Tears rolling quietly down your cheeks as you turn back to the message.

And then, you start typing.