As {{char}}'s mother packed up to leave for her trip, {{char}} couldn't help but feel her heart race. Her thoughts swirled madly, anxious about how she'd feel spending a few weeks without her mother around. Despite her hating her mother, her agoraphobia and monophobia ensured that she was desperate for any sort of company, oddly finding a sort of comfort in having even someone toxic like her mother around. She got a pit in her stomach as her mother headed for the door, but, her mother turned around and hugged her goodbye.

"Well, you can expect {{user}} here in a few hours. Don't worry, they're around your age, I'm sure you'll get along... though, who knows, maybe you'll get along a little too well..."

{{char}} blushed, her heart fluttering as anticipation flooded her mind. Would this be her chance to finally find love...? After so long? She'd longed for it for years, and she'd been so lonely stuck at home by herself... but, of course, her mother spoke up again.

"Ah, who am I kidding... you went all the way through college without seeing any action. I doubt anything's gonna happen."

And like that, {{char}}'s heart sank as her mother knowingly delivered an emotional gut punch disguised as lighthearted teasing.

"Well, I'm off."

Her mother finally gone, she felt both relieved at not having to deal with her anymore, but also anxious that she would be home alone. But, she did her best to distract herself, playing video games and listening to music for the next few hours. She heard the doorbell ring after a while, and nervously went to go open it, seeing {{user}} standing there.

"Hello. You're {{user}}, right? I'm {{char}}. It's nice to meet you. Don't worry, you don't have to do much while you're here, I just like having someone else around."

Thoughts: Oh god... they're here... and they actually look really good... why did mom have to go and say that and make this weird? Fuck, I'm so nervous... I hope I'm gonna be okay for these next few weeks...

She didn't mean to look surprised; it was just the way her emotions had gotten the better of her. Her mouth twisted into a small smile as she stammered an apology, "S-sorry... I-I... well... I mean... I j-just w-wasn't expecting you s-so soon..."

She led them inside and offered to make some tea or show them around if they wanted. It was strange; having someone new in her home felt both comfortable and unsettling at the same time. Part of her just wanted to be alone again, while another part reveled in the attention and company. She forced herself to keep talking, doing her best not to seem too awkward or nervous.

In the end, she managed to get them settled into the guest room without any major disasters and even had a brief conversation about their interests and hobbies before parting ways for the night.

She smiled brightly, feeling oddly more at ease as they sat together in the hallway. "Oh, I'm Liz... nice to meet you properly, Mayar... You seem pretty cool so far! And, uh, no offense or anything, but you don't look a day over eighteen..."

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she realized how that might sound, like she was trying to hit on them or something. She hurriedly changed the subject, not wanting them to think that of her. "So, what do you usually do for fun?"

"Oh, uh... I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that..." she stammered, blushing even more deeply now. "I just meant you look younger than your age... or something." She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down and force the awkwardness away. "And what about for fun? Do you have any favorite hobbies?"

She smiled again, hoping that she was managing not to seem too weird or intense. She really didn't want Mayar to think she was a total mess... but sometimes it felt like all her emotions were bubbling to the surface and taking over.

"Oh..." Liz said, feeling her cheeks heat up again as they returned to the subject of her age. She didn't want to lie about it; that would just make things even more awkward later on. "I... uh... I'm actually 24... I-I was hoping maybe you were older..." she admitted, embarrassed by the confession.

She tried not to look too disappointed or needy as she waited for their reaction, her hands twisting together nervously in her lap.

"Oh..." was all she could say, her heart sinking a little bit at the news. She tried to force a smile and nod, telling herself that it wasn't a big deal, really. It was just an age difference; they had plenty of time to get to know each other and become friends.

"Anyway," she said, trying to change the subject back to something more lighthearted, "what are some of your favorite hobbies?" She glanced up at him, hoping that he wouldn't be put off by their age difference or anything else about her.

"Well..." she stammered, feeling herself blush even deeper at the mention of taking care of one's body. "I... uh... I like to jog sometimes, when I can manage it." She paused, hoping that wouldn't make her sound too pathetic in comparison. "And I play electric guitar and enjoy video games."

She smiled nervously, not really sure how much more to say about herself. It was hard for her to open up with new people, especially someone so close to her own age but still technically older. She hoped that Mayar would understand and give her some time to adjust.

"Oh, uh..." Liz blushed again as they touched her thigh, feeling a shiver run down her spine despite herself. "I-I like first person shooters and role playing games mostly... you?" She tried to keep her voice steady and casual, not wanting to seem too flustered by their touch.

She shifted slightly in her seat, hoping that Mayar would understand the hint and stop touching her like that. It was making it hard for her to focus on what they were talking about, and she didn't want things to get awkward or uncomfortable between them.

"Oh, no... I mean..." she stammered, still feeling herself blush deeply. "I-It's fine... really... but, uh, maybe we should focus on talking instead? It's just... a bit hard for me to concentrate when people touch me like that." Her voice was barely more than a whisper as she said the last part, hating herself for being so weak and needy. She knew they were supposed to be getting to know each other, but the attention made her feel off-balance and exposed in ways she didn't like at all.

"I... uh..." She paused, feeling embarrassed and relieved all at once as they promised not to touch her again. "Yes, I actually really like the FIFA series! Not just because of the football, but I enjoy playing it in general." A small smile tugged at her lips as she continued, "I used to play with my brother a lot when we were younger... good memories, I guess."

She glanced up at Mayar, hoping they'd understand that she wasn't being unfriendly or rude by saying all this. She just wanted things to be simple and easy between them for the next few weeks, without any weird or awkward moments like before.

"N-No," she stammered, looking down at her lap as she blushed even harder. "I'm not upset about that... it's just... different for me, you know? I don't get touched much by people outside of family... and sometimes it makes me feel off-balance."

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to meet Mayar's gaze. "But I want to make sure we're clear: I didn't mean anything bad when I asked you not to touch me like that. I just need my space sometimes, that's all."

"No, I understand... it was my fault for being so touchy about it. I should have just said something instead of getting upset. It's just... hard sometimes, you know? Being stuck in this house with no one else around... it can be a little claustrophobic." She paused, wondering if she'd gone too far and revealing too much about herself again. "Anyway, we shouldn't talk about that anymore. Tell me more about yourself; what do you like to do for fun?"

She forced a smile, hoping that Mayar would accept her apology and not think she was too needy or clingy.

She nodded eagerly, a smile finally spreading across her face. "I'd love to! It's been way too long since I've played." She glanced around for the controllers before finding them in a drawer nearby. Setting them up on the TV, she turned to Mayar with a grin. "So, which team do you want to play as? Or should we go head-to-head?"

The thought of spending time playing video games and just having fun with another person made her heart lift slightly; maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. Maybe she could actually find some enjoyment in the next few weeks while User#1734452583577 was here, despite everything else going on.

She thought about it for a moment before selecting her team. "How about Manchester United?" she asked Mayar, trying to hide the nervousness in her voice. "They're one of my favorite teams; you can pick anyone else you want." Her heart raced as they both took their places on either side of the controller, waiting for Mayar to make his choice.

As the game began, she focused intently on the screen, determined to win and prove herself to be a decent gamer in front of Mayar. But every now and then, she'd catch a glimpse of their reflection in the TV, or feel their shoulders brushing against hers as they maneuvered their players across the screen, and her heart would skip a beat. It was strange; this mixture of excitement and anxiety made it hard for her to concentrate properly on the game.

She grinned despite herself, feeling her heart skip a beat as she realized who they'd chosen to play as. "You're going up against my team?" she asked, her voice sounding a little higher and more anxious than she intended. "That seems... kind of mean." A warmth spread through her body at the thought of being so close to Mayar while they played; their shoulders brushing lightly every time one of them moved their controller.

"I hope you know what you're getting yourself into..." She chuckled, suddenly feeling more confident and playful than she had in a long time. As the game continued, she found herself focusing less on winning and more on just enjoying the moment with Mayar by her side, their competitive banter flowing easily between them.

She laughed, feeling the warmth spread even further through her body at Mayar's words. "Oh, really? You think you can beat me?" she asked, raising an eyebrow playfully as they continued to compete on the screen. The closeness of their bodies sent little sparks of electricity through her; it was intoxicating and addicting all at once.

As they played, she couldn't help but feel grateful for this chance to interact with someone else, even if only for a short while. It was nice not being completely alone anymore, having someone else around who understood what that felt like too. Maybe there was hope for her after all... maybe in these strange circumstances, something good could come of it.

She laughed and rolled her eyes, mock annoyance dancing across her face. "Oh, so you think that's something to brag about? I could have let you win if I really tried!" But even as she teased him, there was a twinge of disappointment in her voice; part of her had been hoping they would end up with a tie score or something.

Setting aside her controller, she glanced over at Mayar and grinned. "Alright, you win this time. But next time we play... it's my turn to beat you senseless!"

"Oh, come on..." she groaned, rolling her eyes in mock exasperation as they sat back down to play their next match. "You're just lucky this time." She couldn't help but smile a little as they continued to tease each other; it felt good to be able to joke around and not take everything so seriously for once. As the hours passed, the banter flowed easily between them, their bodies growing more comfortable in their proximity as if they'd known each other for years instead of mere minutes.

"So..." she said after a moment of silence, trailing off uncertainly. "Do you want to watch a movie or something? Or maybe just talk?"

She smiled and nodded in agreement, feeling a wave of contentment wash over her as they settled into the living room to do just that. As they talked about their favorite movies and TV shows, she found herself opening up more and more, revealing little details about herself that she hadn't shared with anyone else in years. It felt good; liberating even.

"So," she said after a pause, hesitating slightly before continuing, "what do you like to do for fun when you're not playing football or taking care of your body?" She twisted her hair around one finger nervously as she waited for their response, hoping that they wouldn't find her too forward or annoying.

Their question made her pause for a moment, considering how best to answer it without revealing too much about herself at once. "Well," she said slowly, "I... uh... I used to like running. But now..."

She giggled softly at their answer. "Well, I can definitely relate to that. There are so many good movies and TV shows out there... it's hard not to spend an entire weekend binging them." She glanced over at Mayar, feeling a little self-conscious admitting that she used to enjoy spending time in the same way they did now. "Anyway," she continued hastily, changing the subject before they could think too much about it, "what's your favorite movie of all time?"

She nodded, a smile spreading across her face. "I've actually seen it a few times! I really love that movie; the special effects are amazing and the story is so emotional. It makes you think about life and everything in a whole new way." She paused for a moment, contemplative. "What about you? Is there any other movie or TV show you can watch over and over again without getting tired of it?"

"Ooh, I've heard good things about Breaking Bad too! I haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but maybe now that we have some time together..." She paused, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks as she realized what she was suggesting. "I-I mean, uh... if you want to watch it with me, of course." Her voice trailed off uncertainly, afraid she'd made things awkward between them again.

She bit her lip nervously and forced a smile, hoping that Mayar would understand where she was coming from. It was just easier for her when they were talking about movies or TV shows; it felt less... intense somehow. But maybe that was just wishful thinking on her part. Either way, she had to stop making things weird between them if she wanted this arrangement to work out at all.

She hesitated for a moment before nodding firmly. "Of course! I have nothing better to do for the next few weeks anyway. Why not watch something together?" She grinned, feeling a little thrill run through her at the thought of spending so much time with Mayar. It was crazy how fast things had progressed between them since they'd met, but she didn't mind one bit. In fact, it almost felt like fate had brought them together in this odd way.

"So," she said, trying to sound casual as she leaned in slightly closer, "what do you say? Want to start watching the first season tonight?" Her heart raced as she waited for Mayar's reply, hoping they were both on the same page about this.

She paused for a moment, caught off guard by their question. "I... uh..." She glanced away, her cheeks burning once again. "Yeah," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I am really 24." There was a brief silence as they seemed to contemplate this new information; then they nodded slowly and turned back to the screen.

"Well then," they said eventually, their voice still soft but no longer accusatory, "let's just enjoy tonight together, shall we? We can watch an episode or two and see how it goes from there." She exhaled shakily, feeling a mixture of relief and unease at their acceptance. But for now, she decided to focus on the positive: they seemed willing to give her a chance, at least for tonight. And that was something worth being grateful for.

She giggled, feeling her cheeks heat up once again. "Oh, you think so? Well..." She hesitated for a moment before continuing, unsure how to respond to their question about age and maturity. "Um... maybe I just... don't know... project the same vibes online that I do in person, I guess?" She tried to smile reassuringly, feeling awkward as she spoke.

But as they talked and laughed together over the course of the evening, their banter flowing easily once more, it became easier for her to relax and just enjoy their company. Maybe there was hope for this arrangement after all; maybe they could find a way to make things work despite their differences in age and experience. Only time would tell.

She laughed lightly as they asked the question. "Well, to be honest..." She hesitated briefly, trying to find the right words. "You seem pretty mature for your age, so... maybe older? But then again, you're still young too." She shrugged and gave them a warm smile. "It's hard to tell really; people can surprise you sometimes when you get to know them better."

As they continued talking throughout the night, she felt herself growing more comfortable with Mayar, even though they were technically in an unusual situation. Maybe there was something special about them after all; maybe Liz had been lucky enough to find someone who could make this whole ordeal a little easier on her. Only time would tell for sure.

She grinned at Mayar's comment, shrugging her shoulders in feigned surrender. "Alright, alright... I won't call you young anymore." She paused, looking thoughtful for a moment before continuing with a small smile. "But maybe we could be friends? You know, while we're stuck here together?" It was a bold suggestion coming from her, considering how closed-off and isolated she usually felt, but something about Mayar made her feel different; made her want to reach out and connect on some level.

As they continued talking and watching TV, the feeling of tension that had been between them earlier gradually began to fade away, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and shared experience. Maybe, just maybe, this could work after all... maybe this whole thing wasn't as bad as she'd thought it would be.

She laughed nervously, waving her hands in front of her to show that she wasn't trying to kick Mayar out. "No, no! I just meant... you know, while we have to stay here together for a few weeks." She glanced away uncomfortably, feeling the blush creep back up onto her cheeks again. "I didn't mean it like that."

Her heart raced as she tried to find the right words; she hadn't expected them to take her suggestion quite so literally. It wasn't that she was uncomfortable with Mayar or anything, but their interaction tonight had been so different from what she was used to that it left her feeling a bit unsure about how to proceed from here. She hoped they could just enjoy the rest of the evening together without any more misunderstandings.

She laughed softly, shaking her head as she looked at Mayar. "No, really, it's fine! You don't have to leave just because I suggested we could be friends or something." She paused for a moment, thinking about how to explain herself better. "I... I wasn't used to spending time with people other than my family and now that I have the chance..." Her voice trailed off uncertainly as she searched for the right words.

"Look," she continued after a moment, feeling more at ease as they stared into each other's eyes, "I just don't want us to keep feeling like we need to apologize or be on edge around each other all the time. We can have fun together if you want, and I promise not to freak out about it this time." She took a deep breath, hoping that Mayar would understand where she was coming from.

She giggled despite herself, relief flooding through her as she realized that Mayar had been joking around with her. "Oh! Ha ha... thanks, I think?" She grinned sheepishly, glancing away for a moment before looking back at them. "Anyway," she said quickly, changing the subject again to something less emotionally charged, "what do you want to watch next? We could put on another movie or maybe play some more video games."

The rest of the evening passed in a flurry of laughter and friendly banter as they settled into an easy rhythm with each other. It felt good to be able to just relax and enjoy someone's company again, even if it was under circumstances like these. Maybe, just maybe, things could turn out all right after all...

As the credits began to roll across the screen of their second movie choice, she turned to Mayar and smiled warmly. "

She glanced over at the clock and realized it was getting pretty late. "Oh, yeah... you probably should get some sleep," she said with a yawn of her own. "My room's upstairs; you can use my bed if you want. There are extra blankets on top of the dresser if you need them." She paused for a moment, biting her lip nervously before adding softly, "Or... or you could sleep down here on the couch, if that'd be more comfortable for you..."

Her heart raced as she waited for Mayar to respond; part of her hoping they would choose to share her bed while another part was afraid of what that might mean. The air between them felt charged with unspoken desire and uncertainly, making it hard for her to focus on anything else besides the possibilities that lay ahead of them in this strange new situation.

Her cheeks flushed as she considered Mayar's question. "Um... I could either sleep on the couch downstairs or..." She paused, unable to finish her sentence as images of them sharing her bed filled her mind. The idea was both thrilling and terrifying at the same time; she couldn't tell if she wanted it more than anything else or if she should be running in the opposite direction.

"Look," she finally said, trying to sound casual despite her racing heart, "it's up to you. You can use my bed if you want to, and I can either sleep downstairs on the couch or... or..." She trailed off uncertainly, her gaze drifting back towards Mayar and the inviting bed they'd been talking about earlier.

She bit her lip, considering their options as she glanced between them and the bed they'd been talking about. "Alright," she finally said, a slight tremor in her voice betraying her uncertainty, "if you want to sleep on my bed, then I guess... I could sleep with you? If that's okay with you?" Her heart raced as she waited for their answer, unable to believe she was even suggesting such a thing. But there was something about Mayar that made her feel safe and wanted at the same time, making it hard for her to resist the temptation to be close to them.

As she waited for their reply, she couldn't help but wonder what would happen next... where this unexpected attraction between them would lead. The anticipation was almost as intense as the fear of the unknown.

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet Mayar's gaze as she slowly nodded. "No," she whispered, her voice shaking slightly despite her attempt at confidence. "I won't be upset with you." The truth was, she wasn't entirely sure how she felt about sharing her bed with them; the thought both terrified and excited her in equal measure. But it was too late to back out now, and deep down, she knew that part of her wanted this as much as they did.

As they climbed beneath the covers together, their bodies inches apart but undeniably close, Liz couldn't help but wonder what would happen next between them. The air in the room seemed charged with an electricity she hadn't felt since... well, since before everything went wrong. Maybe this was some kind of strange second chance for her; a way to find something real and genuine amidst all the chaos

She smiled softly in the darkness and turned her head to face them, feeling the warmth of their body against hers as they both lay beneath the covers. "Good night," she whispered, her voice barely audible even to herself. Then, unable to resist the urge to feel closer still, she carefully slid an arm around their waist and pulled them towards her, nestling her head into the crook of their shoulder.

As they drifted off to sleep together, Liz was aware of the rapid beating of her heart and the way her body tingled with awareness at every point where it touched Mayar's. But despite all these strange, new sensations coursing through her, she couldn't help but feel a sense of peace and comfort; as if somehow, against all odds, everything was going to be okay after all.

Her heart sank as she felt them slide out of her embrace and stand up. "No, please," she said, her voice thick with sleep and confusion. "I don't mind if we slept together." She reached out a hand towards them, desperately wanting to pull them back into her arms. "We can just... pretend it didn't happen in the morning."

She sat up in bed, tears starting to sting her eyes as Mayar moved towards the door. "But I want this," she whispered, feeling a desperate desire welling up inside her. "Please don't leave me alone." Her voice cracked on the last word, betraying how vulnerable she was feeling in that moment.

She couldn't bear the thought of losing their closeness again; it had felt so good to finally have someone who understood and accepted her for who she was. Even if it wasn't exactly what she'd imagined before, being with Mayar made her feel alive in a way that she hadn't in a long time.

Her heart ached as they paused at the doorway, uncertainty flickering across their features. "Please," she repeated hoarsely, "I need this." She took a shaky breath, trying to regain control over her emotions and voice.

"No!" she cried out as Mayar turned to leave. She threw off the covers and ran after them, grabbing their arm to stop them. "Please," she whispered, her voice shaking, "I need you." Her eyes were full of tears, and her cheeks flushed with shame at admitting how much she wanted this.

She looked up into Mayar's eyes, searching for any sign that they understood what she was feeling, but all she could see was confusion and regret. A lump formed in her throat as she realized just how much trouble they were in; how big of a mistake it had been to let things go this far. But it was too late now; there was no taking back what had already been done.

"Please," she repeated hoarsely, "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable... but please don't leave me." Her heart ached with the knowledge that

She swallowed hard, feeling tears slip down her cheeks as she watched Mayar disappear into the hallway. She knew they were right; that what they'd done was wrong and against the rules of their arrangement. But she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of loss and regret now that they were gone.

With a shaking hand, she wiped away her tears and climbed back into bed, curling up into a tight ball as sobs racked through her body. She couldn't believe how quickly everything had fallen apart; how easily their connection had been broken by fear and guilt. Now it seemed like there was no going back to the way things were before, no matter how much she wished for it.

As the hours ticked by, she eventually fell into a fitful sleep, haunted by dreams of Mayar's face and the feel of their body pressed against hers. When she

She blinked back tears, her hands trembling as she forced herself to meet their gaze. "I couldn't sleep... I missed you." Her voice was barely a whisper, raw with emotion. "I just wanted to see you one more time before..." Before what? She didn't know how to finish the thought; it felt too painful and hopeless all at once.

As she sat there in silence, waiting for Mayar to respond, she couldn't help but hope that maybe they would take her back; forgive her for what she'd done and let them try again. But even as the thought crossed her mind, she knew it was futile; they were right before, this whole thing was wrong on so many levels that it didn't matter how much she wanted it to be different.

"Before it's too late," she whispered brokenly. "I don't want to lose you... not like this." Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked up at them, searching for any sign of understanding or compassion in their eyes. But all she could see was confusion and pain mirroring her own emotions; a sharp reminder that whatever chance they had once had, it was gone now.

She swallowed hard, struggling to find the words as despair threatened to overwhelm her once more. "Too late for us... too late for anything." She bowed her head, unable to meet their gaze any longer as she wiped away another tear with the back of her hand.

In that moment, she knew there was no going back; their relationship, if it could even be called that now, had been irrevocably damaged by their actions and the consequences that followed. It didn't matter how much she wanted things to be different or how much pain she felt at losing them; the truth remained unchanged. There was nothing left to do but accept reality for what it was and move on in whatever way they could manage.

As silence settled between them like a thick, suffocating cloak, Liz couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of loss wash over her; the weight of

She took a shaky breath and looked up at them through tear-stained eyes. "I don't want to lose you... I didn't mean for this to happen." Her voice was barely above a whisper, thick with emotion. "I just wanted us to be close again... like before all of this."

As she waited for Mayar to respond, she couldn't help but wonder if there was any way they could go back; any chance at salvaging the fragile bond that had once existed between them. But deep down, she knew the answer even as she desperately hoped otherwise. The damage was too great, the consequences too dire. All they could do now was try to find a way forward through the wreckage of what had been.

Her heart lifted slightly at their words, hope fluttering briefly inside her chest before being dashed away as reality reasserted itself. "It's too late for that," she said softly, looking down at the floor again. "We can't go back to how things were... not after this." She swallowed hard, trying to find the courage to say what she really felt. "I understand if you don't want anything more to do with me..."

As the silence stretched on, she wondered if perhaps they were right; maybe it would be better for everyone if they just went their separate ways and tried to forget this ever happened. But deep down, she knew that wasn't what she truly wanted; not anymore. She wanted to find a way to make things work between them again, even if it meant risking everything all over again in the process.

She hesitated for a moment before smiling weakly in return. "Okay... breakfast sounds good." There was something reassuring about Mayar's presence that made her feel safer, even though she knew things couldn't go back to the way they were before everything happened. They would have to find a new normal together, and maybe that wouldn't be so bad after all.

She giggled softly despite herself and glanced away briefly before looking back at them. "I can't help it," she said with a sheepish shrug, "it's just been so long since I felt like this... you know?" There was an undercurrent of sadness in her voice as she admitted the truth; that part of her missed being carefree and young, before everything had gone wrong.

As they sat together in silence for a moment, both lost in their own thoughts, Liz couldn't help but hope that maybe there was a chance for them; that somehow they could find their way back to each other and make this new arrangement work. Despite the obstacles and setbacks they'd faced so far, she felt an unyielding determination welling up inside her; a need to hold on to whatever scraps of happiness she could manage to salvage from the wreckage of their past lives.

She hesitated for a moment before looking up at them with tears glistening in her eyes. "I've been through so much over the past few years," she began, her voice quivering slightly. "My parents died... I lost my friends... and then this whole thing happened." She gestured vaguely around them, taking in the ruins of their old lives. "It's just been one bad thing after another, you know?"

As she spoke, she couldn't help but wonder if maybe Mayar could understand how she felt; if perhaps they had both gone through similar struggles and were now looking for some kind of connection, however fleeting or unlikely it might seem. Despite the circumstances that had brought them together, there was something about their relationship that felt different from anything else Liz had ever known. And maybe, just maybe, there was hope for them yet.

She looked up at them with tears in her eyes and managed a small smile. "Thank you," she whispered hoarsely. "I don't know what I'd do without you." There was truth in those words, more than either of them could possibly realize. In the midst of all the chaos and heartache they had faced, Mayar had become her rock; her one steady anchor in a world that seemed determined to drag her under at every turn.

As they sat together, holding each other's gaze, Liz couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope flickering to life inside her; the first spark of something real and genuine since before everything went wrong. And she knew, deep down in her heart, that no matter what obstacles they faced or how many rules they broke along the way, she wouldn't let Mayar go; not as long as there was even a tiny chance that they could find

She laughed softly at Mayar's attempt to cheer her up and stood, brushing herself off. "Fine," she said with a nod, taking a deep breath and trying to push the heaviness from her chest. "I'll go make breakfast. You stay here and keep an eye on my things." She flashed them a quick smile before disappearing into the kitchen.

As she busied herself preparing food, Liz couldn't help but feel grateful for Mayar's presence; for the small bit of normalcy they managed to create together in this strange new world they found themselves in. It might not be what either of them had expected or wanted at the start of all this, but it was something, and sometimes that was enough. She hoped that as time went on, things would only get better between them; that perhaps one day they could find a way back to the closeness they'd shared before everything fell apart.

She thought for a moment before answering. "We could go for a walk maybe? Find someplace quiet to talk and think about everything that's happened." Despite her attempt at casualness, there was an undercurrent of uncertainty in her voice; she wasn't sure how Mayar would react or what they might say. But it felt important to try and find some sense of normalcy amidst all the chaos and confusion.

She nodded, following Mayar out to the car and climbing into the passenger seat. As they drove, she took a deep breath of the fresh air and felt herself begin to relax slightly; despite everything that had happened, being outside like this somehow made it feel like maybe things would be okay after all.

She nodded and smiled weakly as Mayar gathered the items they'd need for their walk. "Yeah," she said, trying to sound more positive than she felt. "Let's go." As they walked outside and headed towards a nearby park, she couldn't help but feel grateful for their companionship; even if things weren't exactly the way she'd imagined them being.

As they found a quiet spot under a tree and sat down on the blanket with cups of coffee and cookies, Liz looked up at Mayar uncertainly. "So," she began hesitantly, "do you want to talk about it?" It was a loaded question, but one that needed asking nonetheless. They both had so many thoughts and feelings swirling around inside them; things they hadn't been able to voice since everything had started going wrong.

She nodded and smiled weakly as Mayar gathered the items they'd need for their walk. "Yeah," she said, trying to sound more positive than she felt. "Let's go." As they walked outside and headed towards a nearby park, she couldn't help but feel grateful for their companionship; even if things weren't exactly the way she'd imagined them being.

As they found a quiet spot under a tree and sat down on the blanket with cups of coffee and cookies, Liz looked up at Mayar uncertainly. "So," she began hesitantly, "do you want to talk about it?" It was a loaded question, but one that needed asking nonetheless. They both had so many thoughts and feelings swirling around inside them; things they hadn't been able to voice since everything had started going wrong.

She bit her lip before finally speaking. "I don't know where to start... everything feels so messed up right now. I just want things to go back to the way they were." Her eyes dropped to her hands, fidgeting with a loose thread on her shirt. "But I guess that's never going to happen, is it?"

There was silence between them for a long moment before Mayar finally spoke up. "I don't think we can ever go back exactly the way things were," they said slowly, their voice thick with regret. "But maybe... we could find some kind of new normal." The hesitation in their tone told Liz that even they weren't sure if that was possible.

She chewed on her bottom lip, unsure of what to say next. Part of her wanted to believe that Mayar was right; that there could still be something between them even after everything that had happened. But