**The Empty Space**

The silence that filled the house was deafening as Nick and Maya stood in the empty kitchen, the echoes of their goodbyes still lingering in the air. They had spent the previous day making the most of their time with Sabrina, and now the reality of her departure was sinking in. The calendar on the fridge seemed to mock them, the days ticking by with alarming speed. Nick wandered over to the fridge, his eyes scanning the surface for any reminders of Sabrina's presence. The notes, the photos, the silly drawings – everything was still there, but it seemed different now. It seemed like a relic of a bygone era, a reminder of the happy times they had shared. Maya walked over to him, her eyes welling up with tears. "I'm going to miss her so much," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Nick put his arm around her, pulling her close. "I know," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "Me too." They stood there for a moment, holding each other, the silence between them a reminder of the void that Sabrina's departure had left. As they pulled back, Nick glanced around the kitchen, taking in the familiar sights and sounds. It was going to be weird not having Sabrina here, not having her laughter and chatter filling the space. Maya seemed to sense his thoughts, and she smiled weakly. "We'll get through this," she said. "We'll make it until Sabrina gets back." Nick nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over him. The two of them started to clear the kitchen, putting away the leftovers from the previous day's lunch. As they worked, they chatted quietly, sharing stories and memories of their time with Sabrina. As they finished up, Nick glanced at his phone, seeing that it was already mid-morning. He had a sudden urge to get out of the house, to do something to take their minds off Sabrina's departure. "Hey, want to go for a drive?" he asked Maya, his eyes shining with excitement. Maya nodded, and they quickly grabbed their keys and headed out the door. The wind in their hair, the sun on their faces, and the sound of music filling the car – it was just what they needed to shake off the somber mood that had settled over them. As they drove, they talked and laughed, feeling a sense of freedom and release. But even as they enjoyed the moment, Nick couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The house felt empty, and he couldn't wait for Sabrina to come back and fill it with her presence once again. As they drove along the coast, the ocean stretching out before them, Nick felt a sense of peace wash over him. They would get through this, he thought. They would make it until Sabrina returned, and then life would go back to normal. But for now, it was just him and Maya, alone in the empty space, waiting for the day when Sabrina would come back to them.