Echoes of You

Rose stared at her phone, the words "Find me" glaring back at her like a whispered secret.

"Find me? Who is this?" Her fingers tightened around the device as a strange flutter erupted in her chest.

She quickly hid it behind her back just as Carl's voice cut through her thoughts.

"Are you alright?" Carl asked, her dark eyes searching Rose's face.

Rose nodded, forcing calm into her voice. "I am."

I'm lying to her. I don't want to… The guilt twisted like a knife inside her.

Carl stepped closer, her warmth seeping into Rose's space. "You sure?"

Rose swallowed. The way Carl looked at her—soft, wanting—made her stomach flip.

She loves me. She really does. And I…

"Rose," Carl murmured, her voice like velvet. "Do you want us?"

Do I love her? I just met her. Do I really love her…?

Carl's lips curved into a hopeful smile. "Do you?"

Rose opened her mouth—

Buzz.

Her phone vibrated again, the sensation sharp against her palm.

Carl's smile flickered. "You?"

"I…" Rose hesitated, torn between the girl in front of her and the mystery in her hand.

I don't know what to say to her. I want to say yes. But who is this? My heart needs to know. It's telling me to go.

Carl moved suddenly, pressing Rose against the wall, her body flush against hers. Heat radiated between them.

"You seemed so sure yesterday," Carl whispered, her breath warm against Rose's lips. "The way you looked at me—like you want me. Why hesitate now?"

Why am I hesitating? She's beautiful. She wants me. I want her. I don't care that she's a girl. I just want love—real love. Not the pain my ex gave me.

A memory sliced through her.

Him. Him. He was a jerk. No— he's a jerk. I'm still with him. I forgot… That's why I didn't do anything yesterday.

Her face went blank, the weight of the truth crushing her.

Carl's fingers dug into her waist. "Answer me, Rose. Do you want us?"

I can't say yes. It'd be cheating. I'd be betraying him. Maybe she's just playing with me. No. I can't.

"Carl…" Rose's voice cracked.

Buzz.

Her phone again.

"I need to go," she blurted.

Carl's expression shattered. "Now? You want to leave me? So yesterday meant nothing?"

"That's not it—it's—"

The pain in Carl's voice made Rose's chest tighten.

"I need to go now."

Carl blocked the door, her body rigid. "You're not going anywhere."

Rose's phone buzzed—insistent, demanding.

I need to know who this is. "The guy who's been dreaming about you, huh?" A smirk tugged at her lips despite the chaos in her heart.

"Carl, let me go," Rose demanded.

"Rose… why?" Carl's voice was raw, breaking.

When Rose didn't answer, Carl yanked her close, their bodies colliding. "Tell me you don't want this. Tell me what you do want."

Rose's breath hitched—

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

The phone wouldn't stop.

"I—"

Carl's grip was iron.

Rose acted on instinct. She shoved her back—just enough—and ran.

She didn't stop until the world blurred into darkness—just the night sky, the howling wind, and the frantic beat of her own heart.

Gasping, she finally looked at her phone.

Did I really choose a stranger's messages over her? Over someone who actually wants me?*

Her hands shook.

But my heart—it pulled me here. Why?

She pressed a palm to her chest, feeling the strange, lingering pull —like an invisible thread tugging her toward something… or someone.

Ethan jerked awake as his phone buzzed against his chest.

He grabbed it, blinking sleep from his eyes—then froze.

"What the hell…?" His screen glowed with messages he didn't send.

"Find me. The guy who's been dreaming of you?"

His blood ran cold. "I didn't write this."

He stormed outside, the night air biting his skin. The wind roared as he glared at his phone.

A new message appeared.

Rose: Who are you really?

Before he could react, another reply popped up—one he didn't type.

"I'm yours."

Ethan's heart lurched. "What the—? I didn't send that!"

He typed furiously: Who are you?

The response was instant.

"Yours.

His pulse hammered.

Why does this feel… right?

At the same time, miles away, Rose clutched her phone, her own heart stuttering.

Then—

Ring.

Their phones screamed in unison.

Both froze.

Something pulled them—a force, a whisper, a command—answer it.

They lifted their phones.

Breathing. Soft. Familiar.

They knew that sound.

A vision flashed—Rose and Ethan, wrapped in each other's arms, warmth seeping between them like they'd done it a thousand times before.

"Hello—" they said at the same time.

The pull intensified. Their skin burned. That voice—they knew it.

Then—silence.

The call died.

Frantically, they both redialed.

"The number you are calling does not exist."

"What?" Ethan snarled.

Rose's fingers flew across her screen, checking the chat again.

One final message waited.

"Find me."

The wind howled between them—two souls, two phones, one impossible connection.

And the undeniable truth:

They had to find each other.