Nine months sounds generous when people say it out loud.
Plenty of time. Plenty of space.
But when I sit alone at my desk, acceptance letters folded neatly beside my notebook, it feels shorter—like a countdown no one else can hear.
Business school isn't immediate. It's waiting. Distant. A future version of me standing far away, asking me to choose him over the life I'm still living here.
Over her.
I haven't told Alex. There's no rush yet. He's busy leading, planning, being steady the way I've always let him be. I don't want him worrying about me when there's still time to breathe.
And Elara…
She laughs with me now. Walks beside me. Reads my words without knowing they're mine..
Alex's POV
Claudio's been different lately.
Not distant—just… heavier. Like he's carrying something he doesn't know how to set down.
I notice it during practice. Between drills. In the way he watches instead of joins, like he's already standing somewhere else. Somewhere far away.
One night, I find him on the bleachers, sketchbook open but untouched.
"You good?" I ask, dropping beside him.
He nods too quickly. "Yeah."
That's how I know he's not.
We sit in silence for a while. That's always been our language. He's never needed words the way I do.
"You don't have to handle everything alone," I say finally, eyes on the field. "You never did."
He exhales slowly, fingers tightening around the pencil. "I know."But he doesn't explain.
And I don't push.
Because I recognize that look—the one that says he's trying to protect everyone else at the cost of himself.
Whatever it is… business, plans, someone—
I hope he remembers this:
He doesn't have to be the quiet one all the time.
And when he's ready, I'll be there.
Just like always.
Claudio's POV
The email sits open on my screen.
Congratulations.
I read it again, just to be sure.
Same university.
The one Dad went to.
My chest fills with something warm—pride, maybe. Relief. Like I've done something right, something he would've smiled at. For a moment, it feels like he's standing behind me, hand on my shoulder, telling me this is exactly where I'm meant to be.
I should be celebrating.
And I am. A little.
But the feeling doesn't stay light.Claudio's POV
The email sits open on my screen.
Congratulations.
I read it again, just to be sure.
Same university.
The one Dad went to.
My chest fills with something warm—pride, maybe. Relief. Like I've done something right, something he would've smiled at. For a moment, it feels like he's standing behind me, hand on my shoulder, telling me this is exactly where I'm meant to be.
I should be celebrating.
And I am. A little.
But the feeling doesn't stay light.Because right under the excitement is weight. Heavy and real.
They want me to visit the campus. Orientation. Meetings. A feel for the place.
Two months.
Two months away from home.
Away from Alex.
Away from Elara....
The thought settles slowly, uncomfortably.
I imagine streets I don't know, classrooms filled with strangers, a version of myself that fits neatly into expectations. Business plans. Numbers. Futures that make sense on paper.
And then I imagine her.
The studio. The front row. Coffee she pretends is too strong. The way she looks at me like she's listening even when I don't speak.
I close the laptop and lean back, staring at the ceiling.
Dad would've loved this. I know that.
But loving it doesn't mean it's easy.
Two months isn't forever. Everyone would say that. It's nothing, really.
Still… it feels like the first real step away.
And for the first time, I wonder if distance will make things clearer—
or if it will make me realize just how much I don't want to leave.
Elara: Hey… you still staring at your laptop, or did you actually sleep at all? 😏
Claudio: Slept a little. Mostly thinking about… the uni visit.
Elara: Uni visit? 😳
Claudio: Yeah. The same university Dad went to. I have to check it out before I start. Two months away.
Elara: Two months?! That's… a long time.
Claudio: I know. Exciting… but heavy too. You know, new city, new schedule, all that adult-y stuff.
Elara: Heavy? Claudio… this is supposed to be amazing!
Claudio: It is. Dad would've been proud. Me too. But… I keep imagining missing things here. The streets. Alex. And… you.
Elara: Oh. 😳 That's actually kind of sweet.
Claudio: Don't get used to it. I'm still trying to sound responsible.
Elara: Too late. You already slipped. 😏
Claudio: …Maybe I did.
Elara: So, you're going to this uni, exploring it, making plans, while I'm here… just imagining you wandering around all serious and responsible.
Claudio: Yep. That's the plan. But don't worry—I won't be unreachable. You'll be able to annoy me via text.
Elara: Hmm… safe to assume I can take full advantage then?
Claudio: Absolutely. Somehow I'll survive… somehow.
Claudio's POV
I find Alex on the field, tossing the football casually. The sun is low, casting long shadows.
"Hey," I say.
He looks up. "You okay? You've been… quiet lately."
I take a deep breath. "It's the uni. The one Dad went to. I got accepted, and I have to check it out before classes start. Two months away."
Alex blinks. Then smiles faintly, but I can tell he's thinking. "Wow. Congrats, man. That's huge."
"Yeah," I murmur, watching him. "It's just… heavy. Dad would've been proud. I am too. But… being away from home, from everyone… it's different."
Alex claps me lightly on the shoulder. "You don't have to carry it alone. You've always been quiet about your worries, but I'm here, you know?"
I nod. "I know. Just… wish it wasn't two months. Wish it wasn't so far away."Alex smirks. "That's probably because someone will be missing you more than you realize."
I look away, but there's no denying it.