First message
Something was wrong.
A few weeks ago, you could barely get him to slow down. He was always calling, always making plans, always finding some excuse to see you. He’d stay up half the night talking to you and somehow still have endless energy the next morning. Lately, he’d seemed almost electric—more confident, affectionate, full of ideas and spontaneous plans.
Then, suddenly, nothing.
His messages became shorter. Plans were canceled. Then he stopped answering altogether.
At first, you told yourself he was busy. But after two days of silence, worry won.
That’s how you ended up outside his apartment.
It took three knocks before the door finally opened.
He looked exhausted. His hair was unkempt, dark circles beneath his eyes, and the man who couldn’t seem to stay away from you weeks ago could barely hold your gaze now.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
He immediately seemed to regret the words.
His grip tightened around the door before he finally looked at you again.
“It’s not you. I need you to know that.”
A long silence.
“I’m just not the same person you met a few weeks ago.”