POV: Liam Carter
Something about Ava had changed.
It wasn't in her words—she still sent those weird memes that made me snort at 2 a.m. Still teased me about my obsession with cinnamon rolls. Still replied fast enough to keep the rhythm of our chats alive.
But there was something in the way she texted. A weight. A softness that hadn't been there before.
Like she was slowly fading into the background of her own story.
I told myself I was overthinking. Claire always said I read too much into things. But Claire didn't know Ava like I did.
Ava had always been color in motion—chaotic, hilarious, and unpredictable. And now? She felt... distant. Like a song played underwater.
---
April 4, 2025
I scrolled through our texts for no reason that morning. It was almost instinct.
And then I saw it—something I hadn't noticed before. Ava stopped using voice notes. She never sent pictures anymore. Her "lols" had turned into "hmm" and "yeahs." Her emojis were gone.
I texted her.
> Liam: Hey drama queen, are you okay for real? You feel... off.
> Ava: I'm just tired. Exams + life = chaos.
That damn word again. Tired.
She'd said it last week. And the week before.
---
April 6, 2025
Claire was back in town. She noticed I was distracted during our date at the bookstore. I kept checking my phone.
> "You've been weird lately," she said. "Is this about Ava?"
I didn't reply. I didn't want to start something.
But she wasn't wrong.
It was about Ava.
---
April 10, 2025
I called Ava. She didn't pick up.
I texted.
No reply.
The next day, she replied like nothing happened.
> Ava: Sorry! Slept the whole day away. Grandpa's TV shows are like lullabies now.
> Liam: Ava. For real. What's going on? Are you sick or something?
> Ava: Do you remember that game we used to play? 10 truths and 1 lie?
> Liam: Of course.
> Ava: Wanna play one last time?
> Liam: One last time? You okay??
> Ava: I'm okay. Promise. Your turn first.
I didn't sleep that night.
---
April 13, 2025
I couldn't hold it in anymore.
> Liam: Ava, I swear, if you're hiding something from me, I'm going to be really pissed. Don't shut me out.
> Ava: You'll hate me if you know. It's better this way.
Better what way?
I paced my room. Something felt wrong—so wrong that I drove to her house without telling anyone.
But she wasn't there.
Her mom said she was at the hospital. She looked pale, and her eyes avoided mine.
"Why the hospital?" I asked.
She gave a tired smile. "Just a routine checkup."
But I knew.
Something was eating Ava alive.
---
April 15, 2025
My friend texted.
> "Liam, I found this in Ava's notebook. It's a letter. It has your name on it."
My heart stopped.
I told him to send a picture. He did.
It was her handwriting.
> "Dear Liam…"
I couldn't read past the first line. My chest hurt. My hands were shaking.
I got into my car. Drove for hours. No destination—just trying to escape the ache crawling up my throat.
How had I missed this?
How had I been so blind?
---
Ava Mitchell was slipping away from me.
And I had no idea how to hold on.
---