Invisible string

bad signal.

Mia takes one last look around Autumn's quiet, warm living room, then tucks the ring back into her pocket. Her heart is pounding like it could burst, but for the first time in hours, she feels a thread of hope guiding her forward. She straightens her shoulders, opens the door, and steps out into the cold drizzle, ready to find Charlotte and set things right.

~~~~~

The air is cold and wet, the kind that clings to your clothes and skin. Mia climbs out of Autumn's car, boots sinking slightly in the mud as she looks around the outdoor activity centre where the staff team is staying.

Everything is quiet except the wind and distant water.
Charlotte is somewhere out here.
Hurt because of something Mia never said.

Mia's chest aches.

She starts walking fast—then faster—her breath turning white in the evening chill.

"Charlotte!" she calls, voice echoing across the trees.
Nothing.

She tries again, louder this time.
"Charlotte!"

Silence.
Wind.
Leaves.

She pushes forward, boots slipping on wet grass, until she spots movement near the edge of the lake—a small figure sitting alone on a rock, hood pulled up, hunched over like the weight of the sky is pressing down on her.

Mia's breath stops.

"Charlotte..." she whispers.

Charlotte doesn't turn.
She heard her.
She's choosing not to look.

Mia walks slowly this time, hands trembling, every muscle screaming to run but knowing she can't overwhelm her. When she reaches her, she stops a few feet away.

"Char," Mia says softly, voice cracking, "please look at me."

Charlotte keeps staring at the water.
Her voice is quiet, flat, broken:
"I heard you, Mia."

Mia's heart shatters.
"No... no you didn't. I swear, you didn't. The walkie was cutting out. You're in the Lake District, I didn't know the signal was bad—Charlotte, I didn't say that. I didn't—"

Charlotte flinches, wiping her nose with her sleeve.

"Mia... you said you didn't want me. You said you'd be happier with your ex. I'm not... I'm not stupid."

Mia steps forward, desperate but gentle.
"Charlotte, that's not what I said. Not even close. I don't want her. I haven't wanted her in a long, long time. I want you."

Charlotte finally turns her head, just enough for Mia to see her red eyes, the tears clinging to her lashes.

"Then why... why did it sound like that?"

Mia kneels down in front of her, forcing Charlotte to meet her gaze.
"Because the signal was garbage, and you only heard pieces. You didn't hear the part where I—"
Her voice breaks.
"—where I said I love you."

Charlotte's breath catches.
Mia swallows hard.
Her voice is barely more than a whisper.
"Charlotte, baby, I love you so much. I didn't say any of the things you think I did. I would never... ever... choose anyone over you."

Charlotte covers her mouth with her hand as a sob breaks free.

Mia reaches out slowly, giving her every chance to move away—
Charlotte doesn't.
She collapses forward against Mia's chest instead.

Mia wraps her arms around her tightly, burying her face in Charlotte's hair, shaking with relief.

"Don't scare me like that," Charlotte whispers against her coat, voice trembling.
"I thought you didn't want me anymore."

Mia presses her lips to Charlotte's forehead, eyes closed.
"I want you. Only you. And I'm never letting a stupid broken walkie-talkie take you from me."

Charlotte finally lets out a tiny laugh between tears.
Mia smiles weakly, thumb brushing her cheek.

"I'm here now," Mia murmurs.
"And I'm not going anywhere."

Charlotte nods against her shoulder, breathing slowly, grounding herself in the warmth of Mia's arms.

And inside Mia's pocket, the engagement ring sits quietly—
waiting.

Charlotte's breathing finally evens out against Mia's chest, the tears drying slowly in the cold Lake District air. Mia strokes her back gently, grounding her, memorising the shape of her in her arms.

When Charlotte finally pulls back, her eyes are red but softer now, calmer. Mia cups her cheek, brushing away the last tear with her thumb.

"Come on," Mia whispers, voice warm and steady. "Let's go back. Everyone's probably wondering where you are."

Charlotte nods, wiping her face. She stands, but her legs wobble slightly, and Mia immediately steadies her with a hand at her waist. Charlotte doesn't complain—she leans into her, tired and fragile.

The walk back is quiet.
Not tense quiet—safe quiet.
Charlotte's hand slips into Mia's, and Mia squeezes gently, her thumb rubbing the back of her knuckles in a slow, reassuring circle.

As they approach the activity centre, voices float through the crisp air—staff laughing, talking, clattering mugs of hot drinks. The firepit crackles in the centre, and the glow reflects on everyone's faces.

Charlotte hesitates.
Mia notices immediately.

"Hey," she murmurs softly. "You okay?"

Charlotte nods, but her voice is small.
"I just... I don't want them to see I've been crying."

Mia steps in front of her, lifting Charlotte's chin gently.
"I've got you. Stay close to me. You don't have to talk if you don't want to."

Charlotte nods again, taking a breath. Then another.

Mia gives her a soft smile and threads their fingers together more securely before walking toward the group.

Marjorie is the first to notice them returning. "Finally! We thought you fell in the lake or something."

Charlotte forces a tiny smile, but Mia answers for her.
"She just needed some air," Mia says gently, subtly shifting to stand a little in front of Charlotte, shielding her from too much attention.

The others nod, not pushing.

Winter spots them and comes over with two steaming mugs. "Here," she says quietly, handing one to Charlotte and one to Mia. "Thought you might need these."

Charlotte's eyes soften, grateful.
Mia gives Winter a quick look—thank you—and Winter nods, stepping away to give them space.

They sit together on a bench near the fire. Charlotte leans into Mia's side, her head resting lightly on her shoulder. Mia wraps an arm around her, rubbing small circles on her arm through her hoodie sleeve.

For the first time all day, Charlotte looks... safe.
Like she believes Mia again.
Like the panic has finally loosened its grip on her chest.

Mia lets out a soft breath of relief, kissing the top of Charlotte's head gently.

Inside Mia's pocket, the engagement ring is still there.
Cool.
Quiet.
Waiting patiently.

Not now.
Tonight is about reassurance.
About holding Charlotte close.
About healing the small hurt before anything big happens.

Charlotte curls closer into her side. Mia smiles softly into her hair.

Later.
There will be a better moment.
A softer one.
One where Charlotte isn't hurting.

For now...
Mia just holds her, steady and warm, as the fire crackles and the rest of the staff chat softly around them.

Charlotte isn't going anywhere.
And neither is Mia.