- 09.
Seven years with Liam. I used to believe that persistence could break through any barrier, that my devotion would eventually win him over
But now, it’s clear: all the blurred lines, all the moments I thought meant something–they were nothing but illusions I created for myself.
It’s time for me to move on.
The date wasn’t far from home, so I decided to take the bus.
I wasn’t in the best mood, so as soon as I got on, I leaned against the window, letting my thoughts wander.
There’s something comforting about small towns. Everywhere you look, there’s life–kids pouring out of schools, their laughter filling the streets.
I watched as a boy carefully plucked a leaf from a girl’s hair. She blushed, and he smiled. Simple, innocent, and sweet:
For some reason, it reminded me of Liam.
Memories came flooding back, uninvited and overwhelming.
Annoyed, I closed my eyes, hoping to shut them out.
The bus jolted to a stop, and someone accidentally bumped into me, pulling me out of my thoughts.
That’s when I realized it was my stop.
I reached for my phone to scan my transit card, but my pocket was empty.
My phone was gone.
Panic prickled at the edges of my thoughts, and then it hit me–l remembered the man who had bumped into me earlier.
Jan
My phone was gone.
Panic prickled at the edges of my thoughts, and then it hit me–I remembered the man who had bumped into me earlier.
I turned around and spotted him.
He was wearing a black hoodie, a baseball cap pulled low over his face, and–oddly enough–sunglasses and a mask. At night!
The moment I saw him, I knew.
It had to be him.
Without hesitating, I grabbed his arm.
“Give me back my phone,” I demanded.
The man looked at me, confused.
“I’m sorry, miss. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His voice was polite, even calm.
But I wasn’t buying it.
“You don’t need to play dumb. My phone. Now.”
His confusion deepened, but I was sure of it.
We were standing by the bus’s rear door, arguing while the other passengers grew increasingly impatient. The driver eventually stepped in, saying, “I’ll call the police to sort
this out.”
Minutes later, we were at the police station.
Even as we sat there, the man maintained his innocence.
“I didn’t steal anything,” he said again.
I crossed my arms. “It was you. I was sitting in an empty space. You were the only person
22:19 Fri, Jan 10
I crossed my arms. “It was you. I was sitting in an empty space. You were the only person
near me.”
He raised an eyebrow. “That doesn’t prove anything. You were near me too. Should I accuse you of stealing my gold bars?”
His sarcasm didn’t help my growing irritation.
I rolled my eyes, but before I could respond, his phone started ringing.
“Officer, may I answer this?” he asked politely before pressing the green button.
Then, I heard it.
A voice coming from the other end of the line.
“Hey, Mason! Have you seen Emma? I’ve been trying to call her, but her phone’s off. She didn’t get into trouble, did she?”
It was my sister–in–law.
My face froze.
I looked at the man sitting across from me. “What’s your name?”
He gave me a puzzled look. “Mason. I told you when they took my statement.”
I snatched the phone from his hand and took a deep breath before speaking into it.
“It’s me,” I said quickly. “I’m fine. I lost my phone, but I’m with Mason now. I’ll explain everything when I get home.”
Before she could ask more questions, I ended the call.
Mortified, I handed Mason’s phone back to him.
My date. My blind date.
22:19 Fri, Jan 10 Gu
I had just accused my date of stealing my phone.
The officers seemed just as stunned as I was. One of them glanced between Mason and me, then asked hesitantly, “So… do you still want to file a report?”
Absolutely not.
I mumbled something about it being a misunderstanding, then bolted out of the station, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Mason followed me outside, catching up easily.
“Wait,” he said, pulling something out of his pocket.
It was a brand–new iPhone, the latest model.
“For you,” he said, holding it out. “As a gift.”
I blinked at him, confused. “What? Why?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t take your phone, but it looks like you need one. And this seems like the right moment.”
