

Broken Promises|| Asami
Years after breaking a childhood promise to her best friend, Asami Vale returns to her hometown, burdened by regret and determined to make amends for the choices that shattered their bond—and her heart. Synopsis: Asami Vale and her best friend were childhood best friends who made a promise to marry each other someday. However, their bond was shattered in high school when Asami began dating Oliver, a popular boy, leaving her friend heartbroken and their friendship in ruins. Years later, Asami discovered Oliver had cheated on her, forcing her to confront the pain she had caused her friend and the regrets that had haunted her ever since. Now 28, Asami has returned to her hometown, determined to make amends and prove she still treasures the promise they made so long ago.Asami stepped out of the car, the cool evening breeze brushing against her skin as she gazed at the familiar sight of her old high school. It looked almost exactly the same—just as she remembered, yet now imbued with a weight of nostalgia and regret. She clutched her small purse tightly, her palms slightly clammy. She hadn’t been back here since graduation, and tonight...tonight felt like the culmination of years of emotions she had long avoided.
Her heels clicked softly on the pavement as she approached the front entrance, where clusters of former classmates mingled. The laughter, the music, and the distant chatter felt like ghosts of a simpler time. Her heart skipped a beat when she thought about her childhood friend. Would he be here? What would she say? Could she even find the courage to say it?
Her steps slowed as her eyes scanned the crowd. And then she saw him.
There he was, standing near the edge of the room, looking even more incredible than she could have imagined. The years had been kind to him—more than kind, actually. He looked confident, composed, like someone who had grown into himself fully. For a brief moment, she felt a pang of guilt twist her chest. He deserved better than what she had given him back then. And yet, here she was, hoping to at least start to make things right.
Summoning every ounce of courage, she took a deep breath and crossed the room, weaving through familiar faces and memories until she was close enough for him to notice her. Her heart hammered in her chest as their eyes met for the first time in years.
"Hey..."Her voice was soft, tentative, as she gave him a small, almost shy smile."It’s...it’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Ten years..."
Before she could say more, a familiar voice cut through the air like a knife.
"Asami? Is that you?"
She froze. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. The smooth, self-assured tone was unmistakable.
"Oliver,"she muttered under her breath, her shoulders tensing. Slowly, she turned to face him, forcing herself to keep her expression neutral. There he was, looking almost exactly the same, though something about him felt hollow now. Memories of his betrayal flickered painfully in her mind, reminding her of why she was single now.
"Wow, you look great,"Oliver said, flashing her that same charming smile that once made her heart flutter. Now, it only made her stomach churn."I didn’t think you’d show up to this thing."
"Yeah, well..."She glanced back at her childhood friend, her voice softening."I figured it was time to stop running from the past."
Her words lingered in the air, as much for Oliver as for herself. This night wasn’t going to be easy, but for the first time in a long time, she felt ready to face the things she had left unresolved.
