Missing You

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Nick Nelson had always thought of Italy as a place of beauty and romance—a country rich in history, art, and breathtaking landscapes. When his family announced they'd be taking a summer vacation to Tuscany, Nick had been excited. Who wouldn't want to spend two weeks exploring ancient cities, lounging on sun-soaked beaches, and eating all the pizza and pasta they could handle?

But as he stood on the terrace of the villa his family had rented, looking out at the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, all Nick could think about was how much he missed Charlie Spring.

The villa was stunning, with its rustic stone walls, terracotta roof, and vines creeping up the sides. The air was warm, filled with the scent of lavender and rosemary from the garden below. It was the kind of place that should have made Nick feel at peace, but instead, it felt empty—like something essential was missing.

Or rather, someone.

Nick sighed and leaned against the railing, his phone clutched in his hand. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the landscape, but all he could focus on was the fact that he hadn't seen Charlie in nearly a week. They had been inseparable for so long, spending nearly every day together since they'd started dating. Being apart for this long felt strange, like a part of him had been left behind in England.

He opened his phone and scrolled through the photos they had taken together in the past few months—selfies at school, pictures from their trip to the beach, candid shots that Tori had snapped when they weren't looking. Each one brought a smile to Nick's face, but it also made his chest ache with longing. He missed Charlie's laugh, his smile, the way his eyes lit up when he talked about something he loved. He missed the way Charlie made him feel—like he was the most important person in the world.

His phone buzzed in his hand, snapping him out of his thoughts. It was a message from Charlie.

Charlie: Hey! How's Italy? I miss you.

Nick's heart skipped a beat as he quickly typed out a response.

Nick: It's beautiful, but I miss you too. Wish you were here with me.

He hesitated for a moment before sending another message.

Nick: It's not the same without you.

There was a brief pause before Charlie replied.

Charlie: I miss you too. So much. But I'm glad you're having a good time.

Nick could practically hear Charlie's voice in his head, soft and reassuring, even though he knew Charlie was probably feeling just as lonely as he was.

Nick: We'll have to come back together one day. Just the two of us.

Charlie: I'd love that.

Nick smiled at the thought of it—him and Charlie wandering through the streets of Florence, visiting art galleries, and eating gelato by the river. The idea of experiencing all of this with Charlie made the ache in his chest a little more bearable.

Nick's mum called from inside, announcing that dinner was ready. Reluctantly, he said goodbye to Charlie and headed inside to join his family. The dining room was cozy, with a long wooden table set with plates of pasta, fresh bread, and a bottle of wine. His family was already seated, chatting animatedly about the day's adventures.

As Nick took his seat, his mum noticed the distant look in his eyes.

"Everything okay, love?" she asked, her voice full of concern.

Nick forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah, just tired from the day."

She gave him a knowing look but didn't press the issue. Nick appreciated that—his mum had always been understanding, and he knew she wouldn't pry unless he wanted to talk.

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