Page 44 of Five Years

Leah swallowed hard. Ariana’s smile faltered.

“Oh...did I say something wrong?” Ruth asked, frowning.

“No, it’s just, erm—” Leah’s words jammed in her throat.

“We’ve just had a long morning,” Ariana said smoothly. “Forgive us.”

When Ariana’s hand slipped around Leah’s back and gave her side a quick squeeze, Leah shivered. The gesture was so familiar, so easy.

“Well, don’t let me keep you—but hold on one sec!” Ruth dashed to the counter and came back with a blue sweatshirt. “Spend over $80, you get a free piece of merch.”

“But we didn’t spend $80,” Leah said honestly.

“I know. But you’re my favourites.” Ruth beamed.

“Thank you so much—that’s really kind of you,” Ariana said warmly.

Ariana guided Leah from the store, Ruth waving enthusiastically behind them. They were almost a block away before Ariana’s hand slipped from Leah’s waist. The space where it had been felt bare. That brief touch—even through the thick knit of her jumper—stirred something Leah hadn’t felt in five years.

And it terrified her. Every moment, every place, every shared bite of food was a bridge between their past and this fragile present.

In that moment, Leah realised something: even though everything had changed, their bond was rooted in memories too deep to erase. And the scariest part? It might never go away.

ELEVEN

They walked with no real destination in mind. Ariana led the way, a step ahead of Leah, who clutched the popcorn to her chest, curling into herself against the bite of the Chicago air.

Eventually, they drifted toward the Riverwalk. Neither spoke. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, just...there. Leah pulled her phone from the small black crossbody bag and saw a text from Grace.

Grace

How’s it going?

Leah

Erm, okay?

Grace

You don’t sound convinced.

Leah

I’m in Chicago with my ex-girlfriend who I

haven’t seen in five years until last week.

Grace

And?

Leah

I hate you.

Grace

You love me. Also, I appreciate you taking one