Threads of the Past

As the ferris wheel descended, Kael and Selene's laughter echoed through the air, blending with the festive sounds of the summer night. The exhilaration of the ride left them both breathless, the thrill reminding Kael of their childhood adventures. 

"You still scream like a little kid," Selene teased, nudging him playfully. 

"Only because you made it sound like we were going to fly off the ride!" he shot back, laughter spilling between them.

The warm glow of the festival lights enveloped them, but as the excitement faded, a shadow of uncertainty crept in. Kael could sense the weight of their past still lingering in the air, and he wanted to address it.

"Selene," he began, his tone more serious now, "I know things between us haven't been easy. I don't want to pretend like everything is perfect just because we're having fun."

Selene's expression shifted, her smile fading slightly. "I appreciate you saying that. I don't want to ignore what happened either."

"I've missed you," Kael admitted, his voice steady but vulnerable. "And I need to understand why you left. I want to know the real reason."

Selene looked away, her gaze lost in the twinkling lights of the festival. "It wasn't just one reason. I thought I needed to explore who I was outside of here. I wanted to make my own decisions without feeling tied down."

"Did you think leaving meant abandoning us?" Kael asked gently.

She turned back to him, her eyes shimmering with unspoken emotions. "I didn't know how to balance it all. I thought you'd be better off without me dragging you into my uncertainty."

The memory of that last night together before she left flooded back to Kael. He remembered the way Selene had looked at him, a mix of fear and determination etched across her face.

"Kael, I have to go," she had said, her voice barely a whisper. 

"Why? You're leaving everything behind," he had protested, feeling the tears prick at the corners of his eyes.

"I need to find myself," she had replied, her voice breaking. "I love you, but I can't be who you want me to be right now."