Love Together, Be with you never

Sarah was sitting alone in the corner of the café YOU&I, her comfort place. It was the café she and Kane used to visit on their dates. The space was buzzing with couples, their laughter and soft chatter filling the air. Sarah stirred her coffee absent mindedly, lost in her thoughts.

Just then, William walked in. He glanced around, looking for an empty table. His eyes landed on Sarah, and she noticed him too.

"You again?" Sarah said, raising an eyebrow. "Don't you have anything better to do than follow me around? Tell me—do you have a crush on me?"

William rolled his eyes. "In your dreams, Miss Sarah. I just came here for coffee."

She smirked and gestured toward the chair across from her. "Well, it's crowded. If you don't want to sit alone, you can join me."

William hesitated but eventually sat down.

"So, how did you find this place?" she asked.

"I looked up the best cafés nearby, and this one popped up," he replied casually.and what about you how did you came here? 

Sarah's expression softened. "I used to come here with Kane...you know, my ex. I guess I was feeling a bit lonely, so I came back."

William leaned back and studied her. "Do you still like him?"

"It's not that," Sarah replied quietly. "It's just...we went from being loved ones to strangers again, but deep down, memories always remain. I came here to relive some of those moments."

She paused, then asked, "What about you? Ever been in love?"

William smirked at her question and replied, "I don't believe in love. It's too costly, and I can't afford it."

Sarah frowned, confused. "Costly? Love doesn't cost anything."

William chuckled, his voice carrying a mix of sarcasm and honesty. "Doesn't cost anything? Sarah, love costs more than money. It costs your feelings, self-respect, time, effort, personal space, and privacy. Loving yourself, though—that's free. You should try it sometime."

His words hit Sarah harder than she expected. She looked down, her emotions swirling. "For the very first time, I think you're right," she whispered, her voice trembling. Tears coming up in her eyes.

William sighed and passed her a napkin. "See? This is what loving Kane cost you. Stop crying and start loving yourself. You have everything you need to enjoy your life. Go to the movies with your friends, spend time with your family, find happiness in the little things. Trust me, it's worth it."

Sarah wiped her tears and managed a small smile. "You make it sound so simple."

"It is simple. People just make it complicated," William said, taking a sip of his coffee as the waiter placed their drinks on the table.

They sat in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts, before Sarah finally spoke. "Thank you, William. For comforting me...and for being honest. I really needed that."

William gave her a half-smile. "Anytime. Just don't cry in public again—it's embarrassing to watch."

She laughed softly, her heart feeling a little lighter.

As they finished their coffee and got up to leave, Sarah realized that, for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel as weighed down. William's blunt words had given her a perspective she hadn't considered before.

"Maybe you're not as bad as I thought," she said as they walked out of the café.

William raised an eyebrow. "I'll take that as a compliment."

They parted ways, and Sarah couldn't help but feel that something had shifted—not just in her emotions, but in her view of life itself. The Next Day 

Sarah woke up with a new determination in her heart. She stood in front of the mirror, whispering to herself, "This time, I'll prioritize my happiness and mental health above everything."

She carefully picked out a beautiful pastel dress, one that made her feel confident and radiant. As she walked into the university, heads turned. She felt lighter, as though shedding the weight of her past.

When she entered the classroom, Sarah greeted Olivia and Sophia with a cheerful smile and sat in her usual spot. Lucas entered moments later, his eyes immediately finding her. He smiled and made his way toward the seat next to her.

But before he could sit down, Ava grabbed his arm and tugged him toward a different seat.

"Ava, what are you doing?" Lucas whispered, baffled.

"Saving you from yourself," Ava replied with a teasing grin. "You're not ready to sit next to her yet. Come sit here."

Lucas sighed but obliged, taking the seat beside her.

"What's this about now?" he asked.

Ava leaned closer, her voice low. "Operation 'Win Sarah's Heart' begins today. You have to step up your game, Lucas. She's obviously working on herself—you should show her that you notice."

Lucas glanced at Sarah, who was chatting with Olivia, her smile brighter than usual. "She does look happy today."

"Exactly," Ava said. "So, here's today's tip: give her a meaningful compliment. Not just a simple 'You look nice.' Show her you really see her."

"Like what?" Lucas asked, his tone unsure.

"Like..." Ava gestured subtly toward Sarah. "That dress she's wearing. Tell her the color makes her smile stand out. It's simple, but it'll make her feel special."

Lucas hesitated. "What if she finds it weird? I don't want to make things awkward."

"Lucas," Ava said with an exaggerated sigh. "Trust me. Girls love thoughtful compliments. It'll be fine."

During the break, Lucas decided to act on Ava's advice. He approached Sarah, who was scrolling through her phone.

"Hey, Sarah," Lucas began, his voice steady but his palms sweating.

Sarah looked up, her face lighting up. "Hey, Lucas! What's up?"

He hesitated for a moment, then said, "I just wanted to say... that dress really suits you. The color makes your smile stand out."

Sarah blinked, slightly surprised, but then her cheeks flushed. "Oh... thank you, Lucas. That's really sweet of you to say."

From across the room, Ava watched the exchange, a small smile tugging at her lips. Yet, as she saw Sarah's happy reaction, she felt a that her idea is working and smiled back. 

During the break, Sarah spotted William near the cafeteria. He was seated alone at a corner table, sipping his coffee and scrolling through his phone. She smiled to herself and decided to approach him.

"Hey, William," she said cheerfully, stopping by his table.

William looked up, surprised at her tone. Why is she being so sweet? he thought.

"You sitting alone?" Sarah continued, tilting her head slightly. "If you are, why don't you join us? It'll be more fun than sulking here by yourself."

William's eyes scanned her carefully. Her pastel dress and the radiant smile were unlike her usual self. She's changed her style. She's... different today. Happier. Looks like she's actually taking my advice and trying to enjoy her life.

Yet, there was one thing he couldn't quite digest. Her being sweet to me? That doesn't sit right. It's better when we argue.

"No need to sound so nice," William replied with a smirk. "You're going to ruin my reputation if people think we're friends now."

Sarah rolled her eyes, but her smile didn't waver. "I'm just being polite, William. Take it or leave it."

William leaned back in his chair, pretending to think. "Fine. I'll join you, but don't expect me to be all smiles like you."

Sarah laughed. "I wouldn't dream of it."

As they walked over to the group, William couldn't help but notice how at ease she seemed. For the first time, he wondered if maybe her company wasn't so bad after all.

As the break came to an end, Sarah stood up from the table, smiling brightly as she gathered her things.

"Thanks for joining us, William," she said, flashing him a genuine smile before heading toward the door.

Just then, Lucas walked over to William, his tone serious.

"William," Lucas said, lowering his voice. "I think you should stay away from Sarah."

William raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. "What do you mean?"

Lucas hesitated for a moment, looking towards Sarah as she walked out of the cafeteria. "I like her," he said quietly. "So, maybe... don't get too close."

William chuckled, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Lucas, she doesn't like you like that. Trust me. She's not into you."

Lucas's expression darkened for a split second before he quickly composed himself, giving William a sharp nod. "We'll see," he muttered before walking off.

William watched him leave, a smirk playing on his lips. Maybe I was wrong about her... he thought. But for now, he'd let Lucas think he had a chance.