"We all carry pieces of the past, but some of them are like whispers we can't quite remember, fading quietly into the spaces between moments."
Renee sat quietly in her room, overwhelmed by the changes ahead. Aunt Mary, noticing her niece's distress, brought a glass of milk and sat beside her. "You okay?" she asked gently.
Renee's eyes filled with tears as she spoke softly, "I just don't feel right. School's over, and now I'm heading to college... I'm scared and unsure of what's next."
Aunt Mary hugged her tightly, her voice calm and reassuring. "It's okay to feel lost. Change is hard, but it's just a phase. You don't need to have everything figured out now. You'll grow through it, and when you look back, you'll see how far you've come."
Renee sniffled, wiping her eyes. "I'm just scared of messing up."
Aunt Mary smiled. "Messing up is part of it, sweetheart. Just take it one step at a time. You're not alone in this."
Renee, feeling the warmth of her aunt's words, nodded, a small sense of peace settling over her. Maybe, just maybe, it would be okay.
Joey arrived in Canada, ready to start fresh. Free from anyone's control, he embraced his independence, staying in a small studio near his university. He focused on his studies and immersed himself in the new life he was building. Though the freedom was exhilarating, he couldn't deny that he missed his mom.
Max, pursuing a master's in mathematics in the U.S., visited Joey often, offering familiar comfort. Meanwhile, Helen was working on opening her own boutique, her passion for fashion driving her every step. Alex was determined to become an interior designer, while Diana, with her ambition to become an actress, was diving into a Bachelor of Arts. Renee, always dreaming of architecture, had chosen engineering instead, but her path felt uncertain.
After high school, everyone followed their separate dreams, and life became busier. But Renee, stuck in Timber City due to her family's financial struggles, was left feeling isolated. She worked multiple part-time jobs while studying, always cheerful on the outside, but keeping herself busy to cope with the weight of it all.
As time passed, life fell into a routine. Alex and Renee grew close, forming a bond that went beyond friendship. Diana, busy with her acting career, stayed in touch, but the trio's meetings became increasingly rare. Despite their hectic lives, the connection between Alex and Renee remained strong. He became like family, offering emotional and moral support, though quietly, he harbored feelings for her that he kept hidden. Renee, however, saw him only as a dear friend.
Though their lives were filled with new people and experiences, none of their friendships could replace the unique bond they shared. The distance between them all grew, but they refused to let it weaken their connection. They made a vow—a promise to themselves—that once a month, no matter how busy their lives got, they would clear their schedules and spend the weekend together. It was their way of holding on to the past, to the friendship that had always been their anchor.
On the other hand, Joey had built a strong circle of friends in Canada. Max had become one of his closest companions, and their bond grew stronger over time, much like Joey's friendship with Helen. Max kept in touch with Alex and Diana, staying involved in their lives despite the distance.
Meanwhile, Diana and Max's connection deepened beyond friendship. They developed feelings for each other, but kept it quiet, unsure if it would last. As time passed, their secret relationship blossomed, and they began dating in secret, keeping it hidden from their friends. They wanted to be certain about their feelings before sharing it with the group, so for now, their love was theirs alone, quietly growing stronger over the two years they spent together.
It was the weekend they had all been waiting for. Diana was supposed to meet Alex and Renee at the restaurant, and then the plan was to head to Alex's farmhouse for the weekend. Alex picked up Renee from her part-time job, and they waited outside the restaurant, chatting and laughing, when a familiar car rolled up. At first, they weren't sure who it was, but when the figures stepped out of the car, they were shocked to see Max and Diana together. It felt like a mini heart attack to both.
Max and Diana had been caught red-handed, and there was no way to deny what was clearly happening. The two of them stood there for a moment, unsure of how to explain. Finally, Max joined them, and they all headed to the farmhouse together. Despite the initial shock, the weekend turned into one full of laughter, drinks, and old memories.
Renee was in high spirits, her impressive alcohol tolerance helping her stay lively throughout the evening. Despite the gathering being a surprise, it was meant to celebrate her 21st birthday. She had been so consumed by her hectic life that she had forgotten it was even her special day. But surrounded by her closest friends, the evening quickly became more meaningful than she could have imagined.
As the group reminisced about their shared memories, the conversation turned to how Max and Diana had gotten together. Max, without thinking, casually mentioned that it all started at Joey's farewell party dance. Renee felt a rush of memories flood her mind at the mention of Joey's name, but she managed to stay calm on the outside. Diana, sensing the shift in the mood, kicked Max under the table, a subtle hint for him not to bring up Joey again.
Alex, who wasn't aware of the past with Joey, continued to press for more details. "Wait, how is Joey?" he asked, curious about this name everyone seemed to be avoiding. Renee forced a smile, trying to keep the mood light, but inside, she felt a wave of discomfort at the thought of him.
As the clock struck midnight, Diana quickly ushered Alex inside, probably sensing the tension. Renee, lost in her thoughts, stayed outside for a moment, quietly reflecting. It wasn't long before they brought out the birthday cake, and the sight of it caught Renee by surprise. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized how much her friends cared, despite everything.
The group gathered around, toasting to many more birthdays and shared memories. The laughter and celebration continued long into the night, but for Renee, it was more than just a party. It was a reminder that, no matter the distance or the changes in their lives, some things—like their friendship—would always remain.
Amid the music and dancing, Renee's phone suddenly rang. It was her mom, calling to wish her a happy birthday, joined by her aunt and cousins. She stepped outside to take the call, her heart warmed by their love, but once the call ended, her mind drifted back to Joey. She couldn't help it.
Walking a few steps away from the group, she opened her phone gallery and started scrolling through her screenshots of Joey's Instagram stories. She remembered the night she sent him the friend request in a drunken haze, the nervous anticipation, and then waking up to find that he had accepted. She had screenshotted his stories then, wanting to keep a piece of him without letting him know. It was a secret she kept hidden deep inside.
Lost in thought, she didn't hear Alex come out until he spoke. "Hey, you, okay?" He stood beside her, concern in his eyes.
After a moment of silence, he asked, "If you don't mind, how about we go out for a few days? See if it works out between us. If not, we'll just go back to being friends."
Renee, caught off guard, thought for a moment. She didn't want to live with any regrets, so she decided to give it a shot. "Okay," she said quietly, feeling both excited and unsure.
Alex rushed inside with a huge grin, barely able to contain his excitement. "She agreed!" he shouted, causing Diana and Max to look at him in confusion.
Max raised an eyebrow. "Wait, weren't you dating her before?" he asked, clearly puzzled.
Before Renee could answer, Diana's face lit up with a mix of surprise and joy. "Best choice," she said, offering her congratulations.
The group gathered around, and they all snapped pictures, capturing the moment. Max, unable to resist, posted one of the photos to his Instagram story, sharing the news with everyone. It was a chaotic, fun night, full of laughter and surprises, but for Renee, it felt like the beginning of something new—a new chapter, one that she hoped would bring clarity and maybe even happiness.
As Joey scrolled through his Instagram, his heart sank when he saw the post Max shared. It was a photo of Renee with Alex, a reminder of all the things he had lost touch with—of a life that had moved on without him. He felt a deep ache in his chest, missing her more than ever. But before he could let his emotions settle, his phone rang, shattering the stillness. It was his father.
The words on the other end of the line hit him like a tidal wave. His mother had passed away from a cardiac arrest. Joey's world crumbled in an instant. His knees gave way as his father's voice became a blur. The news left him broken, his mind spinning, unable to process the reality of what had just been said. The grief overwhelmed him, and he lost all sense of control.
Meanwhile, Max and Helen received similar calls from their families, the devastating news rippling out, reaching everyone. Max's face turned pale as he absorbed the weight of what had just happened. He immediately called Diana, Alex, and Renee, telling them that Joey's mother had passed away. They all rushed to the hospital, their minds racing, each of them struggling to grasp the sudden and tragic turn of events.
The hospital waiting room was filled with a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional sob or whispered conversation. Everyone was in shock, unable to fully process the magnitude of the loss. They huddled together, doing their best to comfort Joey's father, offering whatever support they could. But the pain was palpable, and no words seemed to make it any easier.
The next day, they waited anxiously for Joey's flight to land, praying that he could somehow find the strength to face the heartbreaking reality that awaited him. Everyone was in a state of disbelief, still reeling from the tragic news. It was a devastating time for everyone, especially for Joey, who would have to face the loss of his mother and the life he had known. The weight of it all hung heavy in the air, and nothing would ever be the same again.
The road ahead for Joey will likely be painful and uncertain. The emotional turmoil of losing his mother, combined with the unresolved tension between him and his father, could make it difficult for him to return to any sense of normalcy. It's hard to imagine a return to the life he knew, as the dynamics of his family will have shifted permanently. However, this loss could also be an opportunity for Joey to grow. It will force him to confront his past and find the strength to rebuild his life, even if it takes time. The question remains: can Joey find a way to heal and move forward, or will the weight of his grief and strained family relationship hold him back?