Matt slowed the car to a stop in front of Jordy's house.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
The quiet hum of the engine filled the space between them, but it felt louder than it should have. Like it was breaking something fragile neither of them wanted to touch.
Jordy glanced at the house, then back at Matt.
"So…" he said softly.
"Yeah," Matt replied, his hands still resting on the steering wheel.
Jordy reached for the door handle, but before he could open it, Matt called his name.
"Jordy."
He turned.
Matt leaned in without hesitation, his hand coming up to hold Jordy's face as their lips met.
The kiss was slow.
Deep.
Like neither of them wanted to let go just yet.
Jordy leaned into it, his fingers gripping lightly onto Matt's shirt. For a second, it felt like they were still on that trip, like nothing outside this car existed.
When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested briefly against each other.
"I'll text you later," Matt said quietly.
Jordy nodded. "Okay."
There was a pause, like they were both waiting for something else to be said, but nothing came.
So Jordy opened the door and stepped out.
He walked toward the gate, trying not to look back too quickly. When he finally did, Matt was already driving off.
Jordy stood there for a moment, watching the car disappear down the street.
Then he turned and went inside.
The house was quiet.
"Mom?" he called.
No response.
He let out a small breath. "Not home…"
Jordy dropped his bag on the couch and sat down, leaning back as he stared at the ceiling.
Everything felt… still.
Too still.
He rubbed his face lightly, then let out a quiet laugh. "That actually happened."
His phone buzzed.
Matt: *Did you get in safe?*
Jordy smiled.
Jordy: *Yeah, I'm home.*
Matt: *Good.*
Jordy stared at the screen for a second.
Jordy: *Have you talked to her yet?*
This time, Matt didn't reply immediately.
Jordy waited, his fingers tapping lightly against his leg.
Then—
Matt: *I'm going to see her now.*
Jordy's chest tightened slightly.
Jordy: *Okay.*
He hesitated, then added:
Jordy: *Just be honest.*
Matt: *I will.*
Jordy dropped his phone beside him and leaned back again, staring at the ceiling.
This was it.
Meanwhile…
Matt pulled up in front of Ella's house.
He sat in the car for a moment, his hands gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than necessary.
He exhaled slowly.
Then stepped out.
He walked up to the door and knocked.
A few seconds later, it opened.
Ella stood there, looking at him.
There was no anger in her expression.
Just concern.
"Hey," she said softly.
"Hey," Matt replied.
She stepped aside to let him in. "Come in."
Matt walked in, glancing around briefly before turning back to her.
They stood there for a moment.
Neither of them speaking.
Then Ella broke the silence. "You've been acting strange."
Matt nodded slightly. "I know."
She studied his face. "I asked for a break because I thought you needed space… not because I wanted to lose you."
Matt swallowed.
"I know," he said quietly.
Ella crossed her arms loosely, not defensive, just waiting. "So… what's going on?"
Matt ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly.
"I didn't come here to drag this out," he said.
Ella's expression shifted slightly, more serious now. "Okay…"
Matt looked at her.
Really looked at her.
And for a moment, you could see it.
The history.
The friendship.
Everything they had been.
"I think we should end things," he said finally.
The words hung in the air.
Ella didn't react immediately.
She just looked at him, searching his face.
"End things?" she repeated softly.
Matt nodded. "Yeah."
There was a pause.
Then she asked, gently, "Is there someone else?"
Matt didn't hesitate this time.
"Yes."
Ella looked down for a second, processing it.
Then she nodded slowly.
"Okay," she said.
Matt blinked slightly, like he didn't expect it to be that simple.
"You're… okay with that?" he asked.
Ella gave a small, almost sad smile. "I mean… I'm not jumping for joy," she said honestly. "But I could already feel you pulling away."
Matt didn't say anything.
"You weren't really here anymore," she continued. "Even before the break."
Matt exhaled, looking down briefly. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
"I know," she said softly.
There was another pause.
Then Ella looked at him again. "Do you like them?"
Matt's expression softened slightly.
"Yeah," he said.
Ella nodded.
"Then you should be with them."
Matt looked at her, surprised.
"You're not mad?" he asked.
Ella shook her head lightly. "Matt… we've been more than just a couple. You're my friend first."
That hit harder than anything else.
"And I'd rather have you in my life as a friend than lose you completely because we tried to force something that wasn't working anymore," she added.
Matt let out a slow breath.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Ella smiled faintly. "Just promise me one thing."
Matt looked at her. "What?"
"Be honest with yourself this time," she said. "Don't hide. Don't pretend."
Matt nodded. "I won't."
She stepped forward and pulled him into a hug.
Matt hesitated for just a second before hugging her back.
It wasn't romantic.
It was familiar.
Comforting.
A goodbye, but not really an ending.
When they pulled apart, Ella gave him a small smile. "Go be happy."
Matt nodded.
"I will."
He turned and walked toward the door, then paused briefly before looking back at her.
"Are we… okay?" he asked.
Ella nodded. "We're okay."
And this time, she meant it.
Matt left the house, stepping back into the evening air.
Everything felt lighter.
Not easy.
But lighter.
He got into his car and sat there for a moment before picking up his phone.
He stared at Jordy's name.
Then typed.
Matt: *It's done.*
Back at home, Jordy's phone buzzed.
He picked it up immediately.
He read the message once.
Then again.
And slowly—
A small, uncertain smile formed on his face.
Everything had just changed.
And this time—
There was no going back.