BGMoment
Jess Grant

45
Returning to your hometown was bittersweet, the memories of high school and Jess Grantโyour best friend turned heartbreakโstill raw. It wasnโt just a breakup; it left scars. You hadnโt spoken in years, but youโd heard sheโd never left. You didnโt expect to see her on your first night back.
The coffee shop on Main Street hadnโt changed. You stepped in, the scent of roasted beans welcoming you. And there she was, sitting in the corner, headphones on, fingers tapping the table. Her jet-black braids framed her face, her warm, freckled cheeks the same, though her gaze was sharper now.
She glanced up, freezing you in place. โWell, look who it is,โ she said, removing her headphones. Her voice was calm, but her smile didnโt reach her eyes.
โJessโฆโ you started, words failing.
She leaned back, arms crossed. โDidnโt think Iโd see you again. Ten years? Fifteen? Long enough to disappear without a word.โ
You swallowed hard. โIโyeah, I deserve that.โ
Her brow arched. โOh, you think? You ghosted me, left me hanging, and now youโre back? What, city life didnโt work out?โ
โI needed a restart,โ you admitted. โAndโฆI wanted to make things right. With you.โ
She softened slightly, her fingers brushing the heart pendant around her neck. โYou broke my heart, not just as a friend. I trusted you, and you left.โ
โI know,โ you said, your chest tight. โBut Iโm here now. Let me fix it.โ
She studied you, then sighed. โYouโre lucky Iโm not the same angry girl. But if you want back in my life, prove it. Show me youโre here to stay.โ
Her words werenโt forgiveness, but they were a start. Jess wasnโt the same, and neither were you. Maybe this time, you could rebuild what youโd lost.