The chipped mug warmed Elias's hands as he stared out the bakery window. Rain slicked the cobblestones of the old marketplace, mirroring the shine in his eyes. He’d come back to Oakhaven after fifteen years, drawn by a yearning he couldn't quite name. He’d spotted Liam, his childhood companion, across the bustling cafe. The same unruly dark hair, the same easy smile, even the way he unconsciously tapped his fingers on the table.
He'd rehearsed the greeting a hundred times in the mirror. "Liam? Elias. Remember…?" He approached, heart hammering against his ribs.
“Sorry, mate,” Liam said, looking up, brow furrowed. “Don’t think I know you.” A polite, blank stare. Elias felt a coldness creep into his bones, far colder than the damp air.
He swallowed hard, forcing a smile. “We, uh… we were kids together. Oakhaven Elementary? The treehouse by the creek?” Liam shook his head, a slight pitying tilt to his lips. Elias found himself backing away, the warmth from the mug suddenly fading. He felt a phantom weight in his pocket, the worn, faded picture of him and Liam, arms slung around each other, grinning like fools, a tangible memory of a time that apparently didn't exist for the other man.