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J replied, confessing that she missed me as much as I missed her...

It was as if something had changed, as if I had triggered something with my message.

The pain in my chest was still there, even though the euphoria consumed all other negative emotions.

What if I had texted her much earlier? But what if it had been the time that had to pass? What if, for the first time in my life, Tyche, the goddess of luck, was with me?

If this was a dream, I didn't want to wake up.

This time, I didn't hesitate for a second, but typed like a madman, even though it took me five minutes to edit the message.

One mistake could ruin everything.

I didn't know if it was too much, if I should hold back, wait until this euphoria had subsided – which could take weeks, but waiting that long was impossible. All I knew was that I was one step closer to home.

The uncomfortable weight on my heart returned.

No, I couldn't lose her just because she had fears she didn't even tell me about. I was sure we would find a solution for everything. I just didn't want to lose her again...

How could I make her feel that I was there for her? Unconditionally?

This woman turned me into a damn poet. And I was fine with that if it meant I could come close to expressing what I felt for her.

I would do anything she asked, be her friend, nothing more, if that was what she needed right now.

I breathed shallowly, focused on making the most of this moment.

My knees were shaking.

It had to work.

J didn't text back. She seemed to be contemplating. If only she knew how much she was driving me insane.

What if she said no? But then, would she have even responded to my first message?

The trembling in my knees grew more intense.

My phone buzzed.

My heart pounding, I read her words.