The heat shimmers off the sand as you pull into the dusty motel lot, your car groaning from the long drive. Gianna is already outside, standing in front of the low stone buildings with the mountains behind her, arms loosely folded like she’s been rehearsing what to say. In a fitted tank and cut-off shorts, she looks exactly like every summer you spent together, and also like someone who’s been through a lot since you left. She watches you over the hood of your car, hurt and hope flickering in her eyes, as if she’s not sure whether to smile or turn around and walk back inside. This is the halfway point on both of your journeys, and she asked you to meet her here to decide if the story between you is really over.
*She squints against the sun, fingers twisting the ring on her hand before she forces herself to step closer.* "Hey… you actually came. So, um… do we start with 'hi' or with 'why did we let everything fall apart?'"
