Chapter 8:- Moving On

After months of emotional turmoil, Rose finally decided it was time to move on. She had tried everything—immersing herself in hobbies, focusing on her self-growth, even dipping her toes into new relationships—but nothing seemed to work. The connections she attempted to form felt empty, and each time, she realized her heart wasn't in it. No matter how much she tried, there was always a lingering shadow of the past, a part of her that still longed for the comfort and familiarity she once had with Mikey.

Eventually, Rose gave up on relationships entirely. She came to the conclusion that she needed to focus on herself, to live her life without relying on someone else to bring her happiness. It wasn't an easy decision, but it brought her a strange sense of relief. For the first time in a long while, she wasn't trying to fix something or make things work. She just lived.

Slowly, she began to feel normal again. Her days were no longer consumed by thoughts of what could have been or the pain of betrayal. Instead, she spent time rediscovering herself—reading books, learning new skills, and reconnecting with the small joys in life. She found solace in her routine, and little by little, the sadness faded.

Then one day, while absentmindedly scrolling through her social media, she noticed something unexpected. Mikey had unblocked her.

Her heart skipped a beat. It was a small thing, something that most people wouldn't even notice, but to Rose, it felt monumental. She hadn't seen his name or face on her feed in what felt like forever. And now, here he was, able to view her status updates and stories, like a ghost from her past who had suddenly reappeared.

At first, Rose didn't know how to feel. A part of her was cautious—she didn't want to get her hopes up, didn't want to fall back into the same pattern that had caused her so much pain. But another part of her, the part that still missed him, felt a glimmer of hope. The thought of Mikey seeing her updates, knowing that he was still watching, made her strangely happy.

For a while, nothing happened. Rose continued to live her life, occasionally checking to see if Mikey had viewed her stories, which he often did. She told herself it didn't mean anything, but a small part of her was curious. Why now? What had made him unblock her after all this time?

Then one day, out of the blue, Mikey messaged her.

**Mikey**: Hey, sorry, I think I messaged you by mistake.

Rose read the message, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew Mikey well enough to know this wasn't a mistake. He had never been the type to accidentally message someone, especially not her. But she played along, keeping her response casual.

**Rose**: No worries, it happens.

The conversation that followed was brief, but there was an unmistakable familiarity in it. Mikey didn't seem distant or awkward, and for the first time in a long while, Rose felt like she was talking to the Mikey she used to know. It was as if the months of silence between them had melted away, and they were right back to where they had been before everything went wrong.

Rose knew deep down that Mikey hadn't messaged her by accident. She shared the conversation with Momo, who confirmed what she already suspected.

**Momo**: He did that on purpose. He's testing the waters.

Rose wasn't surprised. She had always known Mikey had a way of reappearing in her life when she least expected it. But she didn't know how to feel about it. Part of her was happy, relieved even, that he was talking to her again. But another part of her was cautious, remembering all the pain he had caused.

As the days went on, Mikey started chatting with her more frequently. The conversations were light at first, mostly small talk about what they'd been up to. But soon, they became deeper, more personal. Mikey began opening up to her again, telling her how much he had missed her. He talked about his life, about how one of his friends had developed feelings for him, but he didn't feel the same way.

Hearing this made Rose feel a strange mix of emotions. She wanted to be there for Mikey, to listen to him and offer support like she always had. But it also hurt, hearing about another girl who liked him. It was a reminder of the many times she had felt invisible, as if her feelings didn't matter.

Still, she listened patiently, not letting on how much it affected her. She was careful not to let her emotions show, knowing that getting too attached again could lead to more heartache.

Then one evening, Mikey asked a question that caught her off guard.

**Mikey**: Do you think we should get back together?

Rose stared at the message, her mind racing. She had never expected him to ask this. For months, she had wanted nothing more than to reconnect with Mikey, to repair the bond they had once shared. But now that the opportunity was in front of her, she hesitated. Something inside her told her to be careful, to take her time.

**Rose**: I'm not sure. Can I think about it?

Mikey agreed, but Rose could sense his impatience. He wasn't used to waiting, especially not when it came to her. Still, Rose deliberately made him wait for a week, wanting to see how things played out. She knew, deep down, that Mikey wasn't serious. He was passing the time, looking for comfort in their shared history without any real intention of committing.

During that week, Rose kept her distance, thinking carefully about what she really wanted. She wasn't the same person she had been before. She had grown stronger, more independent, and she wasn't willing to go through the same cycle of hurt again.

A few days later, the inevitable happened. Rose found out through mutual friends that Mikey had entered a relationship with his best friend—Lana. Not only that, but they had kissed. The news didn't surprise her, but that didn't make it hurt any less.

She felt the familiar sting of betrayal, the pain of knowing that Mikey had once again chosen someone else. But this time, the pain wasn't as sharp. It was a dull ache, one she had expected. Rose had known all along that Mikey wasn't serious, that he had been playing with her feelings. She had seen it coming, but it still hurt.

She shared everything with Momo, who listened patiently. After hearing the full story, Momo gave her the advice she had known was coming.

**Momo**: Rose, you need to forget him. He's not a good person, not for you.

Momo's words resonated with her. Deep down, Rose knew he was right. Mikey had proven time and time again that he wasn't capable of giving her the kind of relationship she deserved. He had played with her emotions, pulled her back in only to push her away again.

This time, Rose decided that she wasn't going to let Mikey hurt her anymore. She wasn't going to wait for him or hope that he would change. She had done enough waiting, enough hoping. It was time to truly move on, not just from Mikey, but from the person she had been when she was with him. She deserved better, and she was finally ready to believe that.

With that decision made, Rose felt a strange sense of peace. It wasn't easy, and the hurt would take time to heal, but she knew she was on the right path. She was moving forward, not just away from Mikey, but toward a future where she could find happiness on her own terms. And that was enough. For now, that was enough.