Chasing what we Lost

I turn around, trying desperately to hide the shock on my face. There, standing in front of me,

is Dan.

The world seems to stop for a moment as I feel like I'm standing on the edge of something I can't quite define.

He looks at me, his gaze soft yet intense, and I'm suddenly one step away from doing something I know I shouldn't.

"How have you been?" Dan's voice breaks through my thoughts, a little too casual for the storm brewing inside me.

I try to control my expression, to keep my face blank, but it's almost impossible.

Every part of me wants to say something—anything—but I can't quite find the right words. I don't want to let him see how much I'm affected.

"What do you want?" The words burst out of me before I can stop them, sharper than I intend. As soon as they leave my mouth, I wish I could take them back.

Dan scoffs, clearly taken aback. He looks at me with surprise, as if he expected something else from me.