Time moved quietly for Lorelei and Ledger.
A month had passed since they started dating — thirty calm, beautiful days filled with laughter, evening walks to Serene Escape, and countless movie nights. Lorelei had begun to believe that maybe, just maybe, she could love without fear again.
But peace, as always, never lasts forever.
That Thursday evening, as the sky dimmed into lavender, her phone buzzed.
@Hi babe@
@Hey@
@How are you doing?@
@Am good and you@
@Am hungry@
@What happened?@
@I overslept and lost track of time@
@Oh really, what would you like@
@Anything you bring for me@
@Are you gonna come pick them or?@
@Bring them to my place@
@Okay, be there in five minutes@
@Alright love, see you@
Lorelei smiled, typing one last message before heading out. She bought his supper, her heart light as she imagined his sleepy grin when he saw her. But halfway there, her phone lost connection. She didn't see his last message.
When she reached his door, she knocked lightly.
"Come in!" came Ledger's familiar, deep voice.
She pushed the door open—and froze.
Across the room, sitting casually on the couch, was a girl. Her long braids shimmered under the dim light, her smile too comfortable, her posture too familiar.
Lorelei's heartbeat stuttered. Without a word, she placed the food on the table, turned, and walked straight to the balcony.
"Lorelei—wait," Ledger said quickly. He muttered something to the girl, escorting her out with an awkward half-smile.
But Lorelei didn't turn around. She stood staring at the quiet street below, her hands trembling slightly.
A moment later, Ledger stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Babe, are you pissed at me?" he asked softly.
She let out a quiet laugh, more bitter than amused. "Why would you ask that?"
"Because I can see it on your face."
"Oh, wow," she said flatly. "What a superpower you have."
He sighed. "She's just a friend. A coursemate, actually. She came to ask my roommate something, but he wasn't here—so she waited."
"Fine," Lorelei said shortly, pulling away from him.
"Lorelei, why are you acting like this?"
"Because this isn't the first time," she said, turning to face him. "You tell me to wait, or you suddenly cancel, and I pretend it doesn't hurt. But it does."
"Babe, I'm sorry," he said gently, trying to meet her eyes.
"If you ever get tired of me, Ledger, just say it," she whispered. "Don't make me show up only to feel like an unwanted guest."
"I'm sorry," he said again, stepping closer. "I didn't mean to upset you."
She looked at him for a long moment before sighing. "It's fine. I forgive you."
His smile returned—soft and boyish. In one swift motion, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms and carried her toward the bed.
"Ledger!" she laughed, trying to protest. "Put me down!"
"Nope," he said, grinning as he sat her gently on the edge of the bed, facing him. "I'm still hungry, but this time… I want you to feed me."
She burst into laughter. "You're a grown man, Ledger."
"You're one year older than me," he teased.
"Wait—how do you know that?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
He leaned in, pretending to whisper a secret. "Can't your man do research on his girlfriend?"
She smiled despite herself. "Fine," she said, finally giving in.
Lorelei began to feed him slowly, one bite at a time, the tension between them dissolving into laughter. They joked, teased, and played like nothing had happened. For a moment, the world outside that little room didn't exist.
Then came the knock.
They both froze. Ledger frowned slightly, glancing at the door.
"I guess that's my roommate," he said casually.
Lorelei hesitated. "Should I… leave?"
He shook his head, brushing his thumb across her hand. "Don't worry, babe. He's a down-to-earth kind of guy."
But Lorelei's heart began to race again.
Because sometimes, peace knocks softly—just before it breaks.