The mall buzzed with the usual after-school energy-groups of teens clustered around store entrances, the scent of pretzels wafting through the air, and the rhythmic thump of pop music echoing from various shops. Leia and Ashley navigated through the crowd, their laughter blending seamlessly with the ambient noise.
Leia adjusted the strap of her tote bag, glancing at the array of accessories displayed in the store window. "I think I need something sparkly for tomorrow," she mused, referring to the party that had been the talk of the school all week.
Ashley grinned, her eyes scanning the display. "Definitely. Maybe some statement earrings? Or a layered necklace?"
They entered the boutique, the soft lighting highlighting the shimmer of the jewellery. Leia picked up a pair of silver hoops, holding them up to her ears. "What do you think?"
Ashley tilted her head, considering. "Cute, but maybe try these." She handed Leia a pair of gold studs with tiny star pendants.
Leia tried them on, examining her reflection. "I like these. They're subtle but still fun."
After making their purchases, the girls headed to the food court, settling at a table with smoothies in hand. As they sipped their drinks, Ashley pulled out her phone. "Let's take a selfie. Document our retail therapy."
Leia laughed, leaning in as Ashley snapped a few photos. They selected the best one-both smiling, shopping bags in the background-and Leia posted it to her social media with the caption: Mall adventures with the bestie #retailtherapy #partyprep
As they waited for their movie to start, Leia's phone buzzed with notifications. She glanced at the screen, scrolling through the likes and comments. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Miles's name among the likes.
Ashley noticed the change in Leia's expression. "What's up?"
Leia hesitated, then showed her the screen. "Miles liked our photo."
Ashley raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. Maybe he's trying to reach out?"
Leia shrugged, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. "Maybe. I don't know what to think."
Ashley placed a comforting hand on Leia's arm. "Just take it one step at a time. If he wants to talk, he'll make a move."
Leia nodded, trying to push the thoughts aside as they headed into the theatre. But as the movie played, her mind kept drifting back to that notification, wondering what it meant and what the party tomorrow might bring.
Leia tried to focus on the movie-some over-the-top rom-com Ashley insisted on-but the glowing screen couldn't outshine the thoughts running wild in her head. Miles had liked her photo. That should mean nothing. A double tap on a screen. A flicker of attention in the vast sea of social media. But to Leia, it felt like a breadcrumb trail, like he was still watching, still… caring.
The same boy who hadn't spoken to her In days. Who had gone silent after their fight. Who'd looked her in the eyes and said things she could still feel splintering inside her chest.
Her eyes flickered to her phone in her lap. Maybe he was just being polite. Maybe he didn't even think twice. Maybe-
"You're not even watching," Ashley whispered, elbowing her.
Leia blinked, startled. "Huh? No, I am-"
"Girl, they just kissed for the first time, and you didn't even flinch. That's, like, your thing." Ashley smirked, sipping her slushy.
Leia sighed. "Sorry. I just… I can't stop thinking about it."
"Miles?"
She nodded slowly. "It's so stupid. He liked one photo. That's it. And here I am spiralling."
Ashley shifted in her seat to face her a little more. "It's not stupid. You still care. That's not something you can just turn off because you had a fight."
Leia stared at the screen, but she wasn't seeing anything. Her eyes stung for a moment, and she blinked hard. "I just don't get it. We were fine. And then we weren't. It's like he turned into a stranger overnight."
"Maybe he's going through stuff," Ashley offered gently. "That doesn't excuse what he said, but maybe it explains why he's been distant."
Leia sighed again, resting her head on her hand. "Yeah, maybe. It's just… exhausting. I want to hate him. I want to move on. But I keep remembering the good stuff. And I miss him. A lot."
Ashley reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. "Then talk to him. Or don't. But whatever you choose, make sure it's because it's what you want. Not because of a stupid Instagram like."
Leia nodded, biting her lip. "Thanks, Ash."
By the time the credits rolled, the theatre had nearly emptied. The girls walked out into the now-dark parking lot, the warm air buzzing with the sound of cicadas and distant traffic.
Ashley's mom was waiting at the curb, scrolling through her phone in the driver's seat. "Ready?" she asked as the girls climbed in.
As they drove, Leia leaned her head against the window, watching the blur of passing lights. The world outside felt calm and distant, but inside, her thoughts refused to settle. She pulled out her phone again and opened the post. Miles's name still sat there, third from the top.
Why now? Why today?
Maybe it didn't mean anything. Maybe he'd just been scrolling.
But maybe… maybe it meant he missed her too.
Miles sat on the cracked concrete steps in front of his house, elbows resting on his knees, thumbs lazily scrolling through his phone. The sky was painted with streaks of gold and lavender-one of those almost-summer sunsets that made the whole world look softer than it really was. His music played quietly in one earbud, some song he didn't even know the name of, just something to fill the silence.
He had been avoiding opening social media all week. It just made things worse. Every time he saw a post from someone at school, laughing and smiling like life was perfect, it reminded him that things hadn't been right between him and Leia in a while. Ever since that fight… she had gone completely cold. Distant. Like they were strangers.
But something inside him stirred tonight. Curiosity? Hope? Maybe he just missed her too much to keep pretending he didn't care. So, with a quiet sigh, Miles opened the app.
It took less than a second for her face to fill his screen.
Leia. Standing in front of a mirror in a changing room, her head tilted slightly, lips caught in a soft smile. Her hair was lighter now-she had highlights, blonde ones that framed her face like streaks of sunshine. She looked… happy. And not just in that fake "Instagram" way people smiled. It was subtle, but it was real. She looked like herself again. Or maybe someone new-someone free.
Miles stared at the photo for longer than he meant to. His thumb hovered over the heart icon, hesitating. Would liking it mean anything? Would she even notice?
He tapped it anyway. It felt stupid, but it was something. A digital white flag. A silent apology he couldn't put into words yet.
His thumb hovered again-for a comment, maybe. But what would he even say? "You look nice"? "I miss you"? Too risky. Too raw. So instead, he locked his phone and leaned back against the metal railing behind him.
He hadn't realized how tightly his chest had been clenched until now. Seeing her like that-laughing with her friends, out at the mall-it hit him harder than he expected. Not in a jealous way, not really. But in that painful, bitter-sweet way that came when you missed someone who might not miss you back.
His phone buzzed again. A text from Jason.
"We still going to the party tomorrow?"
Miles blinked at the screen. He hadn't even remembered the party was this Friday. Everything felt weird without her-like school had lost colour.
He didn't answer the text. Instead, he looked up at the sky, watching as the last bit of sunlight dipped below the roofline across the street. A warm breeze brushed his skin, but it didn't make him feel any better.
Somewhere out there, she was laughing again.
And he wasn't the reason anymore.