signaling the passage of time in a short story

Using the description of the characters' daily routines can signal time. If a character is always described as having breakfast at the same time every day, and then later in the story that routine changes, it shows time has passed. Another technique is through the characters' memories. When a character starts to recall events from a long time ago, it gives the impression that time has moved forward since those events occurred.

One way is through significant events. If a character goes from being a novice at something to an expert, it shows that time has passed and they've gained experience. Also, references to holidays or birthdays can imply the passing of months or years.

You can use descriptive language to mention changes in the environment or characters' appearance. For example, talk about how the seasons change or how a character's hair grows longer.

The following is an essay or short story about time flies ~ youth ~ friendship: Time flies. In the blink of an eye, we have left youth and entered the stage of adulthood. When we recall the past, we can't help but sigh that time flies, as if it had disappeared overnight. The laughter and tears we had in school had now become memories. We learned a lot of knowledge and skills, made a lot of like-minded friends, and had a lot of good times. In terms of friendship, we also gradually learned to cherish it. The companions who had walked together before were now living their own lives, but they still often contacted each other to share their recent developments. Friendship would not decrease with the passage of time, but would instead grow deeper. Time flies, so we should cherish the present and enjoy every moment. Youth is the best time for us. We should seize this time to do what we like, make more friends, and leave good memories. In terms of friendship, we should know how to cherish and not give up easily. No matter what kind of setbacks and difficulties you encounter in life, you must keep in touch with your friends and support and encourage each other. Friendship is like a bridge that allows us to build connections between different worlds and overcome every difficulty in life together. Time flies, youth still remains, friendship still remains. Let's cherish these wonderful times together and work hard to build our friendship so that our relationship will be stronger.

Time won't stop, it'll just keep going until we're all old and decrepit, until everything's in the past.