Chapter 19
I step out of my mom’s house, feeling the weight of everything that’s been happening. It’s overwhelming, honestly
I thought I was handling things, but the truth is, I’m not. I still feel like I’m stuck in this whirlwind, and it doesn’t help that Brandon keeps showing up.
I’m walking down the street, trying to clear my head, when I spot him. Of course.
“Aria!” His voice calls out, and I roll my eyes, the frustration bubbling up inside me.
Every time I think I’m free from him, he finds a way to show up again. I don’t even have to turn around to know it’s him, but I do anyway.
“Brandon, what now?” I say, my tone flat. I’m tired of this, of him, of everything.
He jogs up to me, looking like he’s about to give me some grand speech or something. But honestly, I’m not in the mood for it.
“Aria, please, just listen to me. I know things have been messy, but I love you. I can’t stand the thought of losing you.”
I stop walking and cross my arms. “You really need to stop this, Brandon. I’m not going to change my mind. You’ve already hurt me enough. Why can’t you just accept that?”
He looks desperate, his eyes pleading with me.
“I’m sorry, Aria. I’ve messed up, I know. But I’m willing to do anything to make it right. Please, just give me a chance. I can’t imagine my life without you.”
1 shake my head, feeling the anger rise in my chest.
“You haven’t been getting it, right? You can’t just keep showing up and saying the same things. It’s not going to work. You’ve had plenty of chances, and you blew it. I’m done.”
He steps closer, but I back away, holding my hand up to stop him. “I’m not your backup plan anymore, Brandon. I’m not going to stand around waiting for you to figure it out. So stop wasting your time.”
Brandon stands there, the sadness in his eyes evident, but I don’t feel bad. I’ve said everything I need to say, and I’m done.
“Goodbye, Brandon,” I say, turning away before he can say anything else. I don’t want to hear it.
I walk away, trying to shake off the tension in my body. I need to get out of here, clear my head.
I don’t even know where I’m going, but I just keep walking. I end up at the park, one of my favorite spots to think.
The sun is beginning to set, casting a soft golden glow over the trees and the grass. It’s peaceful here, the kind of place where I can just be alone with my thoughts. I sit on a bench, taking a deep breath and letting the calm wash over me.
But then I hear it. The familiar voice, cutting through the noise like a lifeline. “Aria! Where are you here?”
I snap my head up, and there he is. Harry. His face is tight with worry, but he’s pushing through the panicked crowd, his eyes locked on me. The sight of him feels like a wave of relief washing over me. 1
“Harry!” I shout, trying to make my way to him through the debris. My legs feel like jelly, but I keep moving. I need him.
His eyes widen when he sees me, and without hesitation, he rushes towards me. “Aria, are you okay?” His hands are on my shoulders, searching my face for any sign of injury.
“I’m fine, just… just tired,” I say, my voice shaky, but I don’t want to appear weak.
Harry grabs my hand and pulls me closer to him, his face softening with concern. “I’m here for you now. There’s no need to be tired.”
He glances around, his eyes scanning the wreckage. “We need to get out of here and take care of your health first”
His words hit me like a punch to the chest. I feel this flood of emotions–relief, fear, and something else, something deeper. I take a deep breath, trying to hold it together, but the tears are starting to sting the corners of my eyes.
“I thought I will be relief once I get here,” I say, my voice cracking.
“I know, but you can’t expect things to go in your way. we need to take care of your health first,” Harry cuts me off, his hand gently cupping my face. “I’ll stay here. I’ll make sure everything’s okay. But I need you to come with me now. Please.”
There’s something in his eyes–something that calms me, giving me a satisfaction that I can’t quite place.
He’s right. There’s nothing I can do right now except get to safety.
“Okay,” I finally whisper. “Okay, let’s go.”
We turn and start walking away from the wreckage, keeping our heads down to avoid the smoke and debris.
My heart is still racing in my chest, and I can feel the weight of everything pressing down on me.
I’m not sure what’s going to happen next, but I feel like I’m not completely drowning in it all.
I’m with Harry, and that’s all that matters right now.
Once we’re outside the chaos, Harry pulls me into a quiet corner of the park. I felt a cool breeze across my skin.
He turns to me, his face softening, and I know what he’s about to say even before the words leave his lips.
“I’m sorry, Aria,” he says, his voice low and sincere. “I’ve been so caught up in everything that I didn’t realize how much you’ve been through. I should’ve been there for you. 1 should’ve put you first.”
My heart tightens at his words. “Harry, you’ve been there for me. More than anyone else. You saved me when I needed it the most.”
He shakes his head, stepping closer to me. “But I should’ve done more. I should’ve protected you better from all of this… all of him,” he says, referring to Brandon.
“I should’ve made sure you didn’t have to go through that pain. I’m sorry for not being there sooner.”
I reach for his hand, squeezing it gently and I become lost in his gaze.
“You’ve always been there for me, Harry. Even when I didn’t realize it. But I can’t keep holding on to the past. I have to let go of everything that happened with Brandon. I need to
move forward.”
“I want to be that forward, Arla,” he says hoarsely, not taking his eyes off me. “I want to be the one you look to when you need someone. I want to be the one you lean on.”
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I feel the warmth in his words, the sincerity that makes my heart race. I meet his gaze, and there’s a moment of silence–just the two of us, standing there, everything else fading Into the background.
“I want that too,” I also confess, my tone no different. “I’ve been so lost, Harry. But with you, I feel like I can breathe again.”
He smiles softly, stepping closer until there’s barely any space between us
“Aria.” The way he says my name is just so majestical.
“Will you be mine? I want you to be my girl. I want to take care of you, be everything you need.”
