The morning light was soft, almost shy, seeping through the thin, cream curtains and painting the tiny apartment in shades of gold. Dust motes floated lazily in the air, moving in rhythm with the quiet hum of the city outside.
James was already up. He stood barefoot in the narrow kitchen, his messy hair falling into his eyes as he poured hot water into a mug. The steam curled between them like a fragile secret.
"Morning, sleepyhead," he murmured without looking up, voice still a little rough from sleep.
Daisy leaned on the doorway, wearing his old hoodie that hung too big on her frame. "Making coffee at my place again?" she teased softly.
He smiled faintly, glancing at her over his shoulder. "Your coffee machine needs me."
"Or maybe you just need the excuse," she said, walking closer.
He handed her the cup, their fingers brushing. Barely a touch, but enough to send a warmth spiraling up her arm. She pretended not to notice, sipping the coffee instead.
On the couch, the springs gave a soft sigh under their weight. From somewhere behind him, James pulled a crumpled paper bag and set it on the coffee table. "Pastries. Smuggled them out from work before my boss caught me."
Daisy's lips curved into a smile. "You're terrible."
"And you love it," he replied without hesitation.
They ate in companionable silence, the kind that feels like it's holding something unspoken. Outside, a neighbor's dog barked, the sound blending with the faint melody playing from the old radio in the corner.
Later, James sat by the window, tightening the loose latch with a borrowed screwdriver, while Daisy knelt on the floor, stitching the frayed cuff of his shirt. The light caught on the curve of his jaw, making him look like a memory she didn't want to lose.
"Jammy," she said quietly, tying the last knot in the thread, "when we finally make it big and move to the city… I want a window so wide the morning light can drown the whole room."
He glanced at her, a small smile tugging at his mouth. "Deal. But I get the big kitchen."
"You and your coffee," she whispered, shaking her head.
His gaze lingered on her, tracing every line of her face as if he could keep it forever. When he laughed softly, she laughed too, and in that moment, it felt like this was all they'd ever want, forever.
---
That afternoon, they strolled to the park. The grass smelled fresh, the sky already leaning toward dusk. At their favorite bench, someone showed up.
A tall guy with messy hair bounced a basketball in his hands.
"Jammy! You didn't show up again!" he called out from a distance, frowning.
Daisy sighed, barely turning her head. "Mike. Like a ghost, always popping up."
"That's my charm," Mike replied easily, perching on the backrest of the bench before glancing at James. "So, why didn't you come? You promised you'd hang out."
James gave a casual nod, though his tone was flat. "Double shift."
Mike rolled his eyes dramatically. "Oh, please. More like you just wanna be with Daisy and forget your friends." He clutched his chest in mock offense, then shot Daisy a sidelong glance that carried a teasing edge.
James just shrugged. "Work, Mike. If I don't work, I don't eat."
Oblivious to the faint tension, Mike tossed the ball toward him. "Fine. But next week, don't disappear. Life's not just work and paying bills. Have some fun, man."
James caught the ball and threw it back. "Easy for you to say."
Daisy only shook her head with a small smile. Mike had been James's friend since middle school. Always around, whether at the right time or not, and privy to almost all their secrets.
"It's not just talk," James replied firmly. "I'm sure Daisy and I will move and make it."
Mike nodded, his voice serious but tinged with mockery. "Then I'll be the first one to watch."
Mike nodded, half-serious but still teasing. "Then I'll be the first one in the front row."
Daisy smiled at both of them. "I like seeing you two like this."
Mike shrugged indifferently. "When I get the chance, I'll spill some of Jammy's secrets to you, Daisy."
James shot him a sharp look. "You're not getting free coffee from me ever again."
"HAHAHA! Alright, alright, my bad, bro."
Daisy smiled at them, warmth in her eyes.
The sun was slowly sinking, wrapping the park in a soft orange glow. James leaned back, Daisy resting her head on his shoulder, while Mike tapped his fingers against the bench. The world felt simple. Full of promises.
The sunlight filtered through swaying leaves, pouring golden warmth over them. Daisy's laughter still lingered, though softer than a few minutes ago. Her fingers fiddled with the end of the scarf around her neck, as if searching for something to hold onto.
From the opposite bench, Mike glanced up from his phone and stood. "I'm heading off. Got something to do," he said shortly.
James only nodded, eyes still on Daisy. When Mike left, the quiet felt heavier, broken only by birds heading home.
"Tired?" James asked softly.
She shook her head, forcing a faint smile. "No… just thinking."
"About what?"
"Nothing important," she replied quickly, turning her gaze toward the small pond at the edge of the park.
James leaned in, trying to catch her eyes. "If it makes you this quiet, it's important."
Daisy let out a small laugh, but it was dry. "No, really, it's nothing. Don't worry."
She stood then, walking to the edge of the pond, picking up a pebble, and tossing it into the water. Ripples formed, then faded. James watched from behind, realizing something. Daisy always did this whenever she wanted to avoid a conversation.
As he approached, she glanced at him briefly, then quickly shoved her phone into her pocket. Too fast. Almost nervous.
"Waiting for someone's message?" he teased, though his tone came out sharper than he intended.
"No… just checking the time."
They returned to the bench, but the space between them felt different. The evening breeze carried the faint scent of rain, cool and unsettling.
James wanted to take her hand, but Daisy pulled her jacket tighter around herself, as if guarding something deep inside.
"James…" Her voice was barely a whisper. "If one day… I'm not here anymore, would you be mad?"
The question stopped him cold. "What do you mean, not here?"
Daisy smiled faintly. A smile that answered nothing.. "Um.. let's go home"
He stared at her, searching for the meaning beneath her words. But like the ripples in the pond, it vanished before he could grasp it.
"Wanna know something?" she asked, looking at him with a mix of playfulness and hesitation.
"What?" he turned toward her, waiting.
But instead of answering, she shook her head quickly. "Never mind." She smiled a little, but her hands were clasped tightly in her lap, as if holding something in.
"You're acting weird," James said.
"Let me," she replied shortly, eyes downcast, exhaling slowly.
Silence. Only the soft splash of water breaking the stillness. Then Daisy's phone vibrated in her hand. Her eyes widened for a second before she hit silent and slipped it back into her pocket.
"Who was that?" James asked, searching her expression.
"A friend," she said quickly, smiling faintly as if to smother his suspicion. "Not important."
He wanted to press, but something inside told him not to. There was a tone in her voice. A distance. That he wasn't used to.
So instead, James took her hand, holding it warm between his own. "Whatever it is, you can tell me."
Daisy looked at their joined hands for a long time, her lips trembling as if to speak. But all she said was, "I know."
The sun dipped lower, the sky painted in shades of burning orange. Beneath the beauty of the evening, something unseen lingered. A thin, invisible space that had begun to form.
And James, without realizing it, was standing right on the edge of a loss far greater than he could imagine.