chapter 10: Reconnecting in Real Time

Ella's phone had been silent for weeks—no constant pings from the group chat, no quick replies to messages. Life had swept her up in a whirlwind of work at the restaurant, long hours at the bakery, and endless responsibilities at home. Every day, from the early morning rush to the late-night cleanup, she barely found a moment to breathe, let alone check her phone.

Her friends had noticed her absence. In the group chat, messages like "Where are you, Ella?" and "We miss you, girl!" floated around, mixed with concerned emojis and playful teasing. Yet, no matter how much they messaged, her responses were few and far between. It was as if Ella had become a ghost online—present in their memories, but absent from their digital lives.

Ella's Guilt for Not Spending More Time with Her Friends

One evening, Ava called her out on it.

> Ava (on the phone): "You barely text in the group anymore. Are you okay?"

Ella (sighing): "I just feel bad. You guys are living your lives, and I'm just… stuck."

Ava (firmly): "You're not stuck, Ella. You're working hard for your future. That's something to be proud of."

Ella (softly): "I just wish things were different."

Ava: "They will be. We'll all make sure of it."

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Planning a Small Get-Together

Ryan suggested they all meet up for a weekend to relax.

Ella was hesitant at first but finally agreed.

> Ryan: "Ella, no excuses. You're coming. Even if we have to drag you out of that bakery."

Drevin: "I second that. You deserve a break."

Ava: "It'll be like old times!"

Ella (smiling): "Okay, okay. You win."

The day of the reunion, the café was abuzz with chatter and soft music. Ella arrived, her tired eyes lighting up as she saw her friends gathered around a table by the window. There was an unspoken warmth in the air, as if they'd been waiting for this moment to finally see her in person again.

Ava was the first to greet her, pulling her into a tight, affectionate hug.

Ava: "Finally, you made it! We've missed you so much."

Ella smiled weakly, hugging her back.

Ella: "I'm sorry I've been so Ava. Work, family… everything's been so overwhelming."

Ryan, ever the joker, grinned and added,

Ryan: "We were starting to think you'd been abducted by aliens or something."

Drevin, quieter and more earnest, leaned forward.

Drevin: "It's been too long, Ella. We're really glad you're here."

As they settled into their seats, the conversation flowed naturally. They talked about the daily grind, the stress of work, and even reminisced about the old days when they'd chat endlessly online. Ava shared funny anecdotes from her classes in California, while Ryan recounted his latest misadventures at university, still peppered with his trademark humor.

Ella listened and laughed along, but then, feeling the weight of her absence, she opened up.

Ella: "I know I haven't been around much online. I've just been so busy—work at the restaurant, helping out at the bakery, and Dad's workshop. I feel like I'm constantly chasing time."

Ava reached out, placing a gentle hand on Ella's arm.

Ava: "Hey, we all get busy sometimes. We understand. Just know that no matter what, we're here for you—even if it's just for a quick coffee or a late-night chat."

Ryan chimed in,

Ryan: "Yeah, girl. You can't disappear on us. We miss your crazy messages and that amazing smile of yours."

Drevin added softly,

Drevin: "I know life can be hard, and sometimes we have to put our responsibilities first. But moments like these remind us what really matters—being with the people who care about you."

They spent the rest of the afternoon catching up, sharing their hopes, frustrations, and dreams. For Ella, it was a reminder that even in the midst of a busy life, there was always room for the genuine connections that made everything worthwhile. The laughter, the playful teasing, and the shared memories filled a void that had grown too big in her absence from their digital world.

As the day came to a close, they promised to make these meet-ups a regular thing, no matter how hectic life became. And as they parted ways, Ella felt a deep sense of gratitude—knowing that despite her struggles, she had a support system that would always be there to lift her up.

Ella realized that no matter how busy life got, her friends would always be there for her.

To be continued...