#tweenyears

Two months later, “Atlie 🐢” and “Ash 🌻” are still texting almost every day — updates about school, siblings, and snacks (lots of snacks). It’s different now, though. Distance has a way of making even the smallest messages feel heavy.

Atlas says San Myshuno is loud, bright, and full of people. Ashley says San Sequoia feels too quiet without him. Neither admits how much they miss the other, but it’s there — tucked between emojis and laughter, in every “wyd” and “goodnight.”