The morning sun spilled across Taylor's room, golden and warm, but it couldn't chase away the nervous flutter in her chest. She glanced at her packed bag one more time before heading downstairs, knowing Chris would be waiting outside.
And he was.
Chris leaned casually against her front gate, arms crossed, dark hair still damp from the morning dew. The moment their eyes met, Taylor's chest tightened, a mix of longing and anticipation curling in her stomach.
"Morning," Chris said softly, letting his gaze linger on her. His fingers twitched slightly, betraying the same nervousness she felt.
"Morning," Taylor whispered, a shy smile tugging at her lips.
They fell into step together as they walked toward the car, hands brushing until Chris finally laced his fingers through hers. The touch sent a jolt of warmth up her arm. She glanced up at him, catching the faintest smile playing at his lips.
"You ready for vacation?" he asked, teasing lightly, though his eyes held something deeper. Concern, longing… something she wanted to lean into.
"I guess," she replied, trying to sound casual, though her voice wavered slightly. "I'll miss… this." She gestured vaguely between them.
Chris chuckled softly, but there was a heat in his eyes that made her heart skip. "Yeah, me too. But don't think you're getting rid of me that easily." He squeezed her hand, and she felt the warmth of his skin, the pulse of his heartbeat through her fingers.
Once she was settled in the car, he lingered at the window, their eyes locked. "Text me every chance you get," he said softly, lips brushing the glass as if he could reach her that way.
"I will," Taylor promised, heart fluttering.
---
The first video call came that evening. Taylor's room glowed with soft lamp light; Chris's face filled the screen. The sight of him made her pulse quicken.
"Hey," he said, voice low, teasing. "Are you having fun without me?"
Taylor laughed softly, a blush rising to her cheeks. "You know I'm not," she teased back, though her gaze softened. "It's… quiet here."
"I don't like quiet," Chris said, leaning closer to the screen. "I like it when I can hear you laugh, when I can—" He paused, swallowing, "—when I can see you."
Taylor's breath hitched, heart pounding. "Chris…" she whispered, smiling shyly.
"I miss you," he admitted, voice rough with longing. "More than I thought I could. Every second without you feels… empty."
Her fingers brushed the screen, as if she could touch him through it. "I miss you too," she murmured. "Every second."
Chris's grin softened into something more serious, almost vulnerable. "Don't make me jealous while you're gone," he teased lightly, though his eyes betrayed the tension in his chest.
"I wouldn't dream of it," she said softly, a smile tugging at her lips.
---
Over the next days, their calls became their secret world. Late-night texts, playful teasing, soft laughs echoing through the screen, fingers brushing the glass of phones, hearts racing with every shared smile. Every "I miss you" carried the weight of longing, every glance, every teasing smirk, every whispered "I love you" was an anchor that tied them across the distance.
One evening, Taylor leaned against the pillow, Chris's face filling the screen. "I wish you were here," she whispered, voice trembling slightly.
"I know," he murmured, his gaze holding hers. "I wish I could hold you right now… feel you close."
Her heart jumped. "Chris…" she breathed, flushed and trembling.
"Soon," he promised, voice low, husky with emotion. "Soon we won't have to wait. Soon, you'll be in my arms again, and no distance will matter."
And though miles lay between them, Taylor felt him closer than ever, every word, every laugh, every heartbeat over the screen building the tension and longing that would make their reunion unforgettable.