The city streets shimmered in the golden light of late summer, the air warm and scented with blooming flowers and fresh coffee from nearby cafés. Nicole McGraw leaned against the balcony railing of her apartment, her iced coffee sweating in her hand, scrolling through messages from Michelle.
"You're glowing, Nicole! Seriously, Michael doesn't know how lucky he is," Michelle's text read, full of emojis.
Nicole chuckled and typed back quickly. Thanks, Michelle. I hope he notices.
Her phone buzzed again,its a text from Michael. Can't wait for tonight.
A thrill ran through her chest. Michael, 27, had been charming, attentive, and… complicated. They'd been together for three years, and this summer had been filled with laughter, weekend trips, and quiet evenings at home. She had imagined that soon, he would finally propose, and her life would feel complete.
Kai's text popped up next. Don't get lost in summer romance too fast. You know how these things go.
Nicole smiled. Kai, 26, her calm and grounded friend, always had a way of keeping her level-headed. Thanks, Kai. I know, she replied.
Michelle, ever dramatic and full of energy, called immediately after. "Nicole! You better wear that red dress tonight! Michael needs to see the queen he's dating!"
"I will," Nicole laughed, shaking her head. "I've been planning this all week."
---
Evening by the Lake
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, Nicole arrived at the lake where Michael was waiting. The water reflected the sunset in streaks of pink and gold. She smiled at the familiar sight of him, and for a moment, everything felt perfect.
"Hey," Michael said, pulling her into a hug. "You look amazing."
"Thanks," she whispered, feeling her heart flutter.
They spent the evening skipping stones, laughing, and talking about the future. Nicole felt alive, hopeful, and certain that this summer was exactly how love was supposed to feel. But in the back of her mind, a subtle unease tugged at her.
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The First Crack
A few days later, Nicole noticed something different. Michael was distracted. He answered her texts late or sometimes not at all. When they met, his smiles felt forced, his conversations clipped.
"Is everything okay?" she asked one evening as they sat on her couch, the soft hum of city lights outside the window.
Michael looked uncomfortable. "We need to talk," he said, avoiding her eyes.
Her stomach dropped. Oh no.
"I… I think we should take a break," he said finally, his voice gentle but cold.
"What?!" Nicole's voice trembled. "Why? I thought we were happy. I thought this summer… everything was fine!"
He sighed. "It's not you, Nicole. It's me. I just… I need space. I don't feel the same way I used to."
Her world tilted. She couldn't breathe. The laughter, the dreams, the warm summer nights come,all of it felt like a lie.
"Space?" she whispered, tears stinging her eyes. "After three years? After everything we planned? You're just… done?"
Michael avoided her gaze. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to hurt you."
Nicole felt her chest tighten. "You knew it would hurt! How could you just… leave me like this?"
He got up, awkwardly, not meeting her eyes. "I can't explain it better than that. I just… can't do this anymore."
And with that, he was gone, leaving Nicole sitting on the couch, shaking, the summer sun now just a fading memory through the window.
---
Aftermath
For days, Nicole wandered the apartment like a ghost. Michelle insisted on daily FaceTimes, sending frantic texts. I can't believe him! Nicole, you deserve better!
Kai, on the other hand, was calm but firm. "He's shown you who he is. Don't let heartbreak define you."
But Nicole couldn't stop thinking about Michael the plans, the dreams, the future she'd imagined. The summer that had felt endless, warm, and full of possibilities now felt cold, heavy, and cruel.
As autumn approached, Nicole made a quiet promise to herself: I will survive this. Somehow.
Yet she didn't know that the real healing and a love she never expected was waiting for her in the months ahead, under the sparkle of Christmas lights.