Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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The little diner near their high school wasn’t fancy or upscale, but it held so many memories for them. Ever since Mathan went abroad, Eliana hadn’t gone back there to eat,
Places filled with too many good memories were just too hard to go back to. Even when Nathan himself mentioned it, Eliana couldn’t help but feel uncasy inside.
All those beautiful moments from the past were locked away in the deepest part of her heart, memories she never wanted to bring up again.
Eliana had always thought she was over those days, that the past didn’t matter to her anymore. But when Nathan brought it up, she realized that she wasn’t as indifferent as she thought.
Now that she was already in the car and Nathan had said his piece, there was no turning back. She just let it happen, quietly accepting it.
The car pulled up near their high school. Since the front of the school was packed and there was nowhere to park, Nathan found a spot on a side street. After parking, he and Eliana walked over together.
As they walked, Eliana couldn’t help feeling a bit unsettled. Trying to act casual, she said, “It’s been ten years. Are you really sure that diner is still open?”
Ten years wasn’t exactly short. It was totally possible that the diner might’ve shut down by now.
But when she said that, Nathan didn’t answer right away. Instead, his s gaze landed
When he
her,
carnest and focused.
their
yes met, her breath faltered, a hint
Noticing something was off about him. Eliana finally boked up as Nathan. W of surprise in her voice as she asked, “What’s wrong?”
His eyes were swirling with emotions so intense that Eliana couldn’t help but be affected. For a moment, she was at a loss, unsure what she had done to make him look at her that way.
Soon, Nathan managed a small smile. “Guess you really haven’t come back at all these years, huh?”
Eliana just went silent. She really hadn’t. Not even once.
It wasn’t that she never thought about coming back. She just made herself stay away, refusing to go anywhere or do anything that had anything to do with Nathan.
Those days right after the breakup were pure agony for her.
Especially when she found out Nathan had suddenly dropped out and left the country, vanishing from her world without so much as a goodbye–it nearly broke her, left her barely holding it together.
She was the one who ended things, but she never thought Nathan would cut her off so completely.
Maybe she was just being foolish, secretly hoping he’d chase after her and try to make things right. But things turned out nothing like she’d hoped.
But she kept all that heartbreak and despair to herself, never breathing a word to anyone.
Everyone thought she didn’t care about that young love, not even Nathan. He too believed she had moved on. Only she knew how deep the scars that failed romance had left in her heart.
Those scars ran so deep that even now, whenever she revisited those memories, the pain was still there.
Seeing Eliana stay silent, Nathan tried to smile, but it was obvious he was hurting inside. After taking a deep breath, he
12:08 Fri, Jan 23 GDD
Chapter 66
reassured her. “Relax, it’s still there. I saw it myself when I passed by a few days ago
Eliaria nodded quietly and followed him forward.
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As they walked on. Eliana kept silent, and Nathan was caught up his own thoughts, so the two of them just inoved forward quietly, neither breaking the silence.
Sure enough, the diner was still open.
Ten years had gone by, and while the place looked a little newer he layout was just as they remembered. Even the owner. Reina, and her husband were still there, running things just as always.
It was way past the meal rush, so the place was pretty quiet.
When Reina saw them walk in, she hurried over with a warm smile. “What can I get for you two?” As she spoke, she immediately recognized Nathan.
Then she took a good look at Eliana, her eyes sparkling with delight. “Oh, it’s you two. It’s been ages since you last came by. Eliana, you’ve grown up so beautifully. I almost didn’t recognize you.
“Back in high school, you were always so fresh–faced and pretty in your uniform with that ponytail. I just knew you’d turn out gorgeous. See, I totally called it.
“And he was bold enough to go after you so early. If he hadn’t, he wouldn’t stand a chance now. Just the other day, he stopped by and was telling us…”
“Reina, we’re starving,” Nathan jumped in, cutting her off before she could get going. “We haven’t had dinner yet.”
Reina bustled off with a smile. “Alright, I’ll go tell my husband to get started. Want the usual?”
As Nathan nodded and pulled her over to their old favorite booth, Eliana felt a little dazed, almost like she was caught between past and present.
Ten years had gone by, and yet there were still people who remembered their favorite dishes, still welcomed them like they’d never been gone.
Ten years sounded like an eternity, yet here, in this diner with Reina and her husband, it felt as if time had stood still.
Eliana felt a pang of nostalgia, but she didn’t let herself dwell on it. Instead, she glanced at Nathan, searching for something else to talk about. “Did you come by here a few days ago?”
Nathan looked a little awkward. “Yeah, I was in the area, got hungry, and couldn’t help missing the old flavors, so I stopped
in.”
“So, does it still taste the same as it did ten years ago?” Eliana asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
Nathan glanced up at her. “Yep, hasn’t changed a bit.”
As they chatted, a couple of students walked in, a boy and a girl, both looking a little shy as they ordered two cheeseburger combos.
After they sat down, they just kept talking about homework and test questions, not even touching hands. But for some reason, it just felt so wholesome to Eliana.
Hearing them go from talking about assignments to sharing their dreams, even making plans to apply to the same college together, Eliana’s nose stung with unexpected emotion. She quickly looked away, not wanting anyone to notice.
Just then, the girl leaned in and whispered to the boy, “Let’s come back here after we get married, just like they did. Wouldn’t that be nice?
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Chapter on
“They look so perfect together, so sweet. I really hope we can host like them someday, okay?”
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Eliana’s heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she almost wanted to say something to stop them right them.
She really hoped their story would he different, that their path would be smooth and easy, with no heartbreak ahead.
But it was too sudden, so Eliana just pushed those feelings down and stayed silent.
usual chatter. “You two must’ve graduated college five or runding around yet?”
Soon enough, their food was served, and Reina started in with six years ago, right? I bet you’re married. Got any little one
The moment she said that, Eliana nearly choked on her food, sputtering in surprise.
