Chapter 7 – Glitches in the Signal

Liam missed a call.

Then another.

At first, Maya didn't think much of it. He'd said work was getting hectic, that the shop was short two guys and he was picking up extra shifts. But by the end of the week, the missed calls turned into unanswered texts. The Sunday letter didn't come.

She stared at her phone, thumb hovering over his name.

Zoey peeked over her laptop. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Just… glitchy connection."

She smiled like it was nothing. But her chest ached a little.

It was Friday before he finally replied.

 Sorry. Rough week. Been exhausted. I'll call you tomorrow—promise.

She stared at the message, chewing her lip. One part of her wanted to reply It's okay. Another part wanted to scream Why didn't you just tell me sooner?

Instead, she sent a short:

 Okay. I miss you.

He didn't reply to that one.

That weekend, Maya went to a campus party with Zoey. It wasn't her usual scene—loud music, neon lights, solo cups, a haze of perfume and beer—but she told herself it might help her stop refreshing her texts.

Zoey introduced her to Caleb, a senior journalism major who wore thick-rimmed glasses and had a sarcastic grin that reminded her a little of Liam-but quieter. More polished.

"So what's your major?" he asked over the music.

"Undecided. But leaning toward communications."

"Solid choice. Good backup for when your dream of becoming a traveling tea reviewer doesn't pan out."

She laughed. "You'd be surprised how competitive that market is."

They talked for a while, easy and natural. He was smart and charming and clearly flirting—but respectful.

Still, Maya found herself glancing at her phone every ten minutes.

Liam finally called Sunday night.

"Hey," he said, his voice scratchy and tired.

"Hey."

Silence stretched.

"I'm sorry," he added. "I didn't mean to go ghost. I just… work's been crazy, and I didn't know how to explain all the stuff going on."

"You could've just said that," she said quietly.

"I know. I messed up."

There was a beat before he asked, "You mad?"

"I'm not mad," she said. "I'm just… scared."

"Of what?"

"That we're becoming people the other doesn't recognize."

It was out before she could take it back.

Liam didn't speak for a moment. "I've thought about that too," he said finally. "But I'm still here, Maya. I still want this. Even if it's hard. Especially when it's hard."

She breathed in slow.

"I met someone," she said softly.

A pause.

"Oh?"

"Just a guy. Caleb. He's in my communication lecture. Nothing happened—I just… I wanted to be honest."

There was silence on the other end.

Then: "Thanks for telling me."

His voice was steady. But she could hear the hurt beneath it.

"I love you, Liam," she whispered.

"I love you too."

But when the call ended, Maya sat in the quiet, phone pressed to her chest, wondering how love could feel both so full… and so fragile.