A Missed Connection
Episode 1: The Almost Confession
liam
Hey, are you still at the library? I need to ask you something.
Chloe
Yeah, I'm at a table by the window. What's up?
liam
Nothing. I just… I need to tell you something. It's been on my mind for a while
Chloe
Oh? You sound serious. Is everything okay?
liam
Yeah, everything's great. Better than great, actually. I just… I don't know how to say this.
Chloe
Just say it, silly. You know you can tell me anything.
liam
Okay. So… a few months ago, I started to realize something. Whenever we hang out, I just feel… different. Happier. The way you laugh at my dumb jokes, the way you get so focused on a project, even the way you doodle little stars in the margins of your notebook… I notice everything.
Chloe
That's… really sweet, Liam.
liam
Know this is out of the blue, but I just… I think I’m falling for you. More than a friend.
Chloe
Liam… wow. I… I’m not sure what to say.
liam
You don't have to say anything right now. I just needed to get it out. The thought of not telling you was starting to drive me crazy.
Chloe
I'm so flattered. I really am. But… I just started seeing someone. It's brand new. We've been on a few dates. I should have told you
Chloe
Yeah. His name is Ethan. He’s in my bio class. I'm so sorry, Liam. I had no idea you felt this way. I hope this doesn’t make things weird.
liam
No, no, of course not. That’s great, actually. I'm happy for you. Really.
Chloe
Are you sure? You sound a little… I don't know.
liam
I'm fine. Just processing it. Look, I’m glad you told me. I would never want to get in the way of your happiness.
Chloe
You’re a great friend, Liam. I really value our friendship.
liam
Me too. Listen, I gotta go. My mom’s calling. I’ll talk to you later, okay?
Alex
Dude, what happened? You said you were going to do it. Did you go to the library?
Alex
And? Did you tell her? Don't leave me hanging, man!
Alex
What do you mean, "almost"?
liam
She told me she's seeing someone. His name is Ethan.
Alex
NO WAY. That's rough, dude. I'm so sorry.
liam
It's fine. It's my fault. I waited too long.
Alex
You didn't wait too long. You just… things happened. You didn't know he was going to come along
liam
He’s probably everything I’m not. Confident. Brave. He probably just walked right up to her and said what was on his mind.
Alex
Don't beat yourself up. There's nothing you could have done differently.
liam
Yeah, there is. I could have just… said it. Weeks ago. I had so many chances.
Alex
What are you going to do now?
liam
I don't know. Be happy for her, I guess. What else can I do?
Alex
That's a good way to look at it. But still, this sucks. Let's hang out tomorrow. My treat. We'll get some pizza and binge-watch that new show we started.
liam
Thanks, man. I appreciate that.
Alex
Anytime. Just try not to overthink it tonight. Some things are just out of our control.
Chloe
Hey! Thanks for being so understanding yesterday. It meant a lot.
liam
Hey! No problem. I told you, I’m happy for you.
Chloe
So, you want to hear about my date with Ethan? I'm so excited!
Chloe
We went to this little Italian place downtown. He brought me flowers! And he remembered that I don't like mushrooms on my pizza. He said he overheard me talking about it once.
Chloe
Right? He’s so attentive. He's also really funny. He told me this story about how he accidentally dyed his hair green in middle school. It was hilarious.
liam
Sounds like a good guy.
Chloe
He is. He just… he makes me feel so seen. He listens to everything I say.
liam
That’s… that’s great, Chloe. You deserve that.
Chloe
You’re the best, Liam. Seriously. I don't know what I would do without you.
Chloe
What are you up to tonight?
liam
Just hanging out with Alex. He’s bringing pizza.
Chloe
Sounds fun! Have a great time. Talk to you later.
liam
Alex!
She just talked me all about him.
Alex
Bro. That’s rough. I'm here now. The pizza is here. We can talk about it, or not. Whatever you need.
liam
She said he makes her feel “seen.”
Alex
What does that even mean?
liam
It means he actually listened. He paid attention. All those little things I noticed about her, but never told her… he did. He told her. And now… he's her boyfriend.
Alex
I’m sorry, man. I know it hurts.
liam
It just feels so unfair. I’ve known her for so long. I’ve liked her for so long. And he just… walked in and took it.
Alex
He didn’t take anything. He just… acted. And you didn't. It's not a competition. It’s just… life.
liam
Yeah. Life. It’s funny how that works out. You have all these words bottled up inside you, and you think the time isn’t right. You think you'll have a perfect moment. And while you're waiting for that perfect moment, someone else is just… living. They’re making their own perfect moments without you.
Alex
That's some heavy stuff, man.
liam
It just feels so… final. Like I missed my shot.
Alex
You didn't miss your shot. The game's not over. It’s just a different game now. Maybe you'll find someone else. Maybe you'll learn to say what you feel next time.
liam
I don't know if I can. This… this feels like a lesson I'm never going to forget. A lesson I learned the hard way.
Alex
We all do, eventually. But hey, for now, let’s just eat this pizza and not talk about feelings anymore, okay?
liam
Sounds good. Thanks, man. For everything.
Episode 5: A new routine
liam
Hey, you heading to the library now?
Chloe
Nah, not today. I’m at the coffee shop with Ethan. We’re working on a group project.
Chloe
Thanks! Hey, are you going to that study group for our English class tomorrow?
liam
Yeah, I think so. You?
Chloe
Probably. Ethan and I are going to study together. It’ll be fun.
liam
Sounds good. Well, I’ll see you then.
liam
Alex! They’re always together now. Coffee shops, the library, study groups...
Alex
Well, yeah. They're a couple. That’s what couples do.
liam
I Know, I know. It just… stings a little. I used to be the one who’d study with her. I’d be the one she'd text about random things.
Alex
It's a new normal, man. You've gotta adjust. You can’t be waiting around for her to text you anymore
liam
I Know. It’s just hard. I still look at my phone every time I get a notification, hoping it's her.
Alex
I get it. It sucks. But you've got to focus on other things. You’ve got to move on.
liam
How? It’s not like I can just turn off my feelings.
Alex
You can't, but you can put some distance between you and the situation. Maybe a little less texting? Give yourself a break from the constant updates. It’s not helping you.
liam
Yeah… maybe you're right. I just don't want to lose her friendship, you know?
Alex
You won't. But a little space might actually help strengthen it in the long run. Right now, you’re just torturing yourself.
Chloe
Hey! Thanks for sharing your notes with me. I totally forgot to grab them from class.
liam
No problem. Happy to help.
Chloe
So, Ethan and I were thinking of going to that new art exhibit this weekend. I was telling him about your photography, and he wants to know if you'd be interested in coming with us
Chloe
It’s super cool. It's called "Urban Reflections." I think you'd really like it.
liam
I'm not sure. I might have plans.
Chloe
Oh. Okay. Well, let me know if you change your mind. It’s not until Saturday.
liam
(To Alex) She just asked me to go to an art exhibit with her and Ethan.
liam
I told her I might have plans. Which I don't.
liam
What? Why is that a "good"?
Alex
Liam, you can't be their third wheel. You’d be miserable the whole time, watching them and being reminded of what you don't have. It's not a healthy situation for you.
liam
I know… it just felt so rude to say no.
Alex
It wasn't rude. It was smart. You're protecting yourself. You need to focus on you right now. You need to remember that you’re a great guy, with your own interests and friends. You don't need to be a part of their new life. You need to be building your own.
liam
Building my own… I guess that makes sense
Alex
It does. Now, let’s go play some video games and forget about all this for a little while.
Episode 3: The Space He Made
[SCENE: LIAM and ALEX are sitting across from each other in a dimly lit, near-empty cafe. The weight of their unspoken conversation is crushing.]
Chloe
(Text message, sent 5 minutes ago)Is this about me and Ethan? Did I do something to hurt you?
Chloe
... Please just say something.
[Liam stares at his phone. The text messages are a physical ache in his hand.]
liam
(He doesn't type, but reads the words out loud, his voice barely a rasp)
"Did I do something to hurt you?"
Alex
(Looks down at his coffee cup, then slowly back up)
She's not wrong to ask. The silence is a weapon, Liam.
liam
That's exactly why I can't answer. I can't put this on her. She's finally... light.
Alex
(Sighs)
And you’re carrying the darkness. That’s not sustainable.
[He aggressively puts his phone face down on the table, the sharp thud making the cutlery rattle.]
liam
I can't talk about this right now. Not with her. Maybe not ever.
Alex
What are you going to do? Ghost her? That’s not you.
liam
I need to take a break from all of it. From us. From this entire lie I’ve built just to watch her from the sidelines. I need space, Alex. Real space
Alex
(Nods, his expression deeply empathetic)
Okay. What does that look like?
liam
(Stands up abruptly, pushing his chair back. His eyes are bright with sudden, fierce resolve.)
It looks like me. Just me. Not "Chloe’s best friend who smiles and pretends he’s fine."
Alex
Where are you going right now?
liam
To that new art supply store downtown. I saw it yesterday.
Alex
(A small, relieved smile spreads across his face)
The one with the big windows?
liam
Yeah. I’m going to buy paint. I’m going to buy clay. I'm going to find something that can hold all of this… instead of me.
Alex
Go. It's about time you built something for yourself.
[SCENE: Hours later. Liam is back in his quiet, slightly messy apartment. The scent of new materials—canvas and acrylic—fills the air.]
[Liam’s phone vibrates with a new message from Alex.]
Alex
How'd it go? Find anything good? Did you splurge?
liam
(Takes a deep, shuddering breath as he looks at the supplies)
Yeah, a few things. A sketchbook, a huge block of clay, brushes that cost way too much.
Alex
Did it help? The silence? The space?
liam
(He picks up the clay. It’s cool and malleable under his touch. For the first time in months, his mind is quiet.)
It feels like a start. Like the moment before you jump.
liam
(He closes his eyes, feeling the texture of the clay, the promise of form.)
I'm letting go of the edge.
Alex
Starting something new? Something real?
liam
(He puts the phone down. He doesn't reply immediately. Instead, he presses his thumbs into the clay, shaping a rough, desperate form.)
(After a long minute, he picks the phone up and sends the final message.)
[He then hits the "Archive" button on Chloe's entire chat history. Not "Delete." Just "Archive." It's a silence of his own making, a space for the things he's about to build.]
next episode comming soon.
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