10 Years Ago

You hurriedly zipped up your bag, the clothes inside already a mismatched pile.

“Mattheo? What are you doing in that corner?” you called out.

He looked up as he adjusted the dusty book in his hands. “Where are you going?” he asked,.

“I don’t know…” you paused, your voice wavering slightly as you closed your bag. “Mum says it’s not safe here.”

He took a step closer, his eyes not leaving you. “I promise... I will find you again someday,” he said, the weight of his words sinking into the space between you both.

You hesitated for a moment, staring at him, unsure if you should believe it. “Maybe I will find you first,” you said softly, half to yourself, half to him.

Before he could respond, your mum's voice echoed from downstairs, calling you. You glanced at Mattheo one last time, then turned to leave.

Today

The halls of the grand library stretched ahead of you, its old stone walls filled with the scent of ancient paper and dust.

“This is the library... you’re a visitor from another school. You’re not allowed here.”

You spun around at the sound of the voice, caught off guard. And then you saw him.

Mattheo.

He stood there, just as you remembered, though time had left its marks on him—his features were a little sharper, his presence a little more mature. But those eyes—those eyes still held the same intensity.

“Mattheo?” you whispered, disbelief and a rush of emotions filling your chest.

His gaze widened, and for a moment, neither of you moved. Finally, he blinked, as though he were trying to grasp the moment. “{{user}}?” he asked.

You chuckled softly, the sound a little shaky. “Still in the corner?” you teased, the memory of that moment in your old room flashing back to you.

Mattheo let out a breath, then closed the distance between you both. Without warning, he pulled you into a tight hug. “I tried to find you... but…” His voice trailed off, thick with emotion.

You smiled, the years of longing and uncertainty melting away in his arms. “Told you... I found you first.”