The Distance Between
Copyright© 2025 by Art Samms
Chapter 6
LEILA
The next morning, I moved quietly through the kitchen, hoping to avoid questions. I had come home a little later than usual the night before, and while my mother didn’t say anything outright, I could feel her eyes following me with more curiosity than usual.
She asked if I wanted tea, and I said yes. She didn’t ask where I’d been. Not directly.
But when she handed me my cup, she said, “It’s good to see you so cheerful this morning.”
I gave her a smile, noncommittal. “Just a nice evening, that’s all.”
She nodded slowly, and let the silence stretch. I escaped soon after, heading out to work with a sense of relief.
The day moved at its usual pace—long stretches of concentration interrupted by fits of distraction. I kept thinking about the conversation with Elias, how easily it had flowed. I had been nervous at first, but somehow he made it feel natural. Effortless.
Near the end of the afternoon, just as I was wrapping up a batch of emails, my phone buzzed.
Darya:
So?
How’d it go??
And don’t say “fine” or I will scream.
I smiled to myself, already hearing her voice in my head. I texted her a quick reply.
Me:
Okay, fine. It went really well.
We talked for two hours without realizing it.
He’s actually very easy to talk to.
Darya:
Two HOURS?!
Leila! That’s a proper date in disguise!
Me:
It wasn’t a date.
Just talking. About the program.
And then ... other things.
Darya:
I knew he liked you.
You see? You should listen to me more often.
I’m your oracle.
I laughed under my breath.
Me:
When we finally left, I got home a little later than usual.
I think my mom noticed. She didn’t say anything, but she noticed.
Darya:
Of course she noticed.
Mothers always notice.
So—are you free tonight? I need my Leila debrief in person.
Food stand?
Me:
Yes. I could definitely eat.
Almost as soon as I hit send, another message came through. This time, it was from Elias.
Elias:
Hey, how was your day?
My heart lifted a little as I read it. I waited a moment, then typed:
Me:
Busy, but good.
Actually, I’m meeting Darya at the food stand in a bit—
Would you like to join us?
There was no long pause this time.
Elias:
Yes. I’ll be there.
I stared at the screen for a second, biting back a grin.
Me:
Great. See you soon.
I didn’t tell Darya. I wanted to see her face when he showed up.
I arrived at the food stand a little early, just as the sky was shifting into that soft, golden-blue that comes before sunset. The evening air was warm but not stifling, and the familiar delicious aroma lingered around the cart like a comforting cloud.
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