The morning air was cool and crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass. River stood on the porch of his childhood home, his bags packed but his heart heavy. Today was the day he would leave—the day he would step out of the shadow of his past and into the unknown.
Lila was waiting by the old oak tree across the street, her own suitcase beside her. She smiled when she saw him, but her eyes betrayed the knot of nerves twisting inside.
"Ready?" she asked softly.
River nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. "As ready as I'll ever be."
---
The drive to the bus station was quiet, filled with the sound of the engine and their breathing. Neither wanted to break the fragile silence. This was the moment that would change everything.
At the station, they stood close, holding hands as if to anchor themselves against the future.
"I'm going to miss you," Lila said, voice breaking.
"Every day," River promised. "But this isn't the end. We're just starting."
They hugged tight, the kind of embrace that speaks volumes when words fall short. When they finally pulled apart, River pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"I love you, Lila."
"I love you too, River. Always."
---
The bus pulled away slowly, carrying River toward a new chapter. He pressed his forehead to the window, watching the world blur by, his thoughts filled with Lila's smile, her steady presence.
---
Weeks passed, and life settled into a new rhythm—video calls, late-night texts, shared playlists, and whispered dreams over the phone. The distance was hard, but their connection only deepened.
One evening, River sat on his dorm bed, staring at a picture of them beneath the cherry lights. His phone buzzed.
"Look outside."
He opened the window and saw the campus cherry trees, blooming early and bright against the night sky. He smiled, feeling closer to her than ever.
---
Back home, Lila finished her first big art project—a painting of two figures beneath a canopy of cherry blossoms, their faces soft with hope.
She sent a picture to River with a message:
"For us. For everything we're building."
---
Months later, River returned home for winter break. The moment he stepped off the bus, Lila was there, waiting with open arms.
They walked through the familiar streets, now dusted with snow, and talked about their dreams, their fears, and everything in between.
Under the bare branches of the cherry tree, River took Lila's hands again.
"We've come so far," he said. "But this is just the beginning."
She smiled, warmth lighting her eyes.
"Together," she said.
---
Their journey was far from over, but with every step, every challenge, and every kiss beneath the cherry lights, River and Lila knew one thing for sure: they were stronger together.