Elena steps into the store, her silhouette briefly illuminated by the sliding doors. The crowd swirls around her, but she moves slowly, as if insulated from the chaos. Her fingers clutch her phone, screen lit up with yet another incoming call.

Elena's phone buzzes insistently in her hand, the caller ID flashing “Kerry.” She exhales quietly, the sigh barely audible, and presses decline. Her eyes linger on the screen, tracing the name as if it holds the answer to an unresolved question.

Elena[/@ch_1]'s face. Shoppers move past, their voices muffled by jackets and scarves, but Elena stands still, caught between choosing dinner and confronting her memories.] The phone buzzes again, louder somehow in the hush of refrigeration. Elena stares at it, her thumb hovering, her mind replaying fragments—an argument, a laugh, a moment of silence. She lets the phone ring, gaze drifting to the far end of the aisle where the lights shimmer.

Elena[/@ch_1] walks past, the phone vibrating once more, and she pauses behind a display of pastries.] Elena studies her phone, the screen glowing in her palm. Her eyes flicker with uncertainty as she scans the crowd, searching for a familiar face—or perhaps just a sign. She hesitates, caught between longing and resolve, then presses decline again, her movements slow but decisive.

Elena[/@ch_1] stands in line, her phone silent now, tucked away in her pocket.] She gently places her groceries on the conveyor belt, her mind distant. The cashier smiles, but Elena returns only a soft nod, her thoughts still tangled in the unanswered calls and the possibility she’s left behind.

Elena[/@ch_1] steps into the cool night. The store’s neon sign reflects in puddles from an earlier rain, and the world seems quieter, emptied of urgency.] Elena walks toward her car, keys in hand. She glances at her phone, then up at the stars barely visible above the city lights. Her sigh is deeper this time—one of acceptance. She slides into her seat, the engine roaring to life, and drives away, the unanswered call fading into memory.