tanner felt a rush of conflicting emotions as he stood face to face with zach, the prodigal son returned to the small town that had never quite let go of him. it had been years since they last saw each other, and yet the familiarity between them was as strong as ever, like slipping into a comfortable old pair of shoes. a small smile tugged at his lips at his mention of celebrating the holidays with his family, a pang of envy stirring in his chest at the thought of the close-knit bond they shared. he had always admired his unwavering devotion to his family, even as he pursued his dreams far from home. "yeah, the traditions here are something else," tanner agreed, a nostalgic twinkle in his eyes as he recalled the quaint customs that had defined their childhoods. "it's funny how some things never seem to change." as zach's gaze met his, tanner couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the opportunity to reconnect, to bridge the gap that had grown between them over the years. he had missed their easy camaraderie, the effortless banter that had once been a constant in his life. "i've been good," he replied with a shrug, a faint smile playing on his lips. "just keeping busy with work and all that." it was a simple answer, but beneath the surface lay a world of untold stories, of dreams and aspirations that had yet to be realized. "but enough about me," the homme continued, shifting the focus back to zach with a genuine curiosity shining in his eyes. "how about you? how's life been treating you since you left?"

zach was the type of person everyone talked about in the small town, he was well known before he left to settle for his dreams before actually making it. there were multiple times where he tried to convince his parents to move out of the small town, somewhere where he could see them more… yet they stayed put. stated that they were going to pass away in their hometown home. everything about being back was odd, he hasn’t been home for some time now. never expecting him to be at his doorsteps. “celebrating the holidays with my family,” he commented with a shrug. “i don’t know.. this town had some pretty cool traditions… how have you been?”

aaron couldn't help but feel a rush of warmth spread through him at her words, a mixture of gratitude and fondness bubbling up inside. despite the end of their romantic relationship, he cherished the bond they still shared, the easy camaraderie that had always come so naturally between them. a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he nodded in appreciation. "you remembered," he said softly, touched by her thoughtfulness even if it meant spoiling the surprise. he had mentioned that watch in passing months ago, never expecting her to remember, let alone consider getting it for him. "thank you," he replied sincerely, meeting her gaze with a warmth that belied the chill of the winter air around them. "that means a lot to me." as she leaned back in her seat, the familiarity of their friendship washed over him, comforting in its familiarity. he couldn't deny the tug of longing he felt, the desire to bridge the gap between them even as they navigated the complexities of their changed dynamic. "yeah, i'll be with my family," he answered, a hint of wistfulness coloring his tone. while he cherished the time spent with loved ones during the holidays, there was a part of him that couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness at the thought of not having her by his side. but he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the present moment, on the warmth of her company and the promise of the future. "what about you?" he asked, genuine curiosity shining in his eyes. "any plans for the holidays?"

it was nice to get out a relationship and still have that friendship with him. it wasn’t like she totally hated him, plus they were around each other all the time. they were crossed between lovers and friends — everyone in the friend group could tell that she struggles to keep away from him. “actually, i was thinking about getting you that watch that you’ve always wanted.” she admits with a shrug of her shoulders, terrible of her to ruin the surprise, but it wasn’t like she was a master at keeping secrets. leaning back in her seat comfortably, she hums lightly. “are you spending the holiday’s with your family?”

sophia felt her heart constricting in her chest as she listened to his plea, his words heavy with vulnerability and longing. a part of her wanted to reach out to him, to wrap him in her arms and reassure him that everything would be alright. nut another part, the part hardened by years of disappointment and heartache, held her back. "i can't," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air between them. "i can't keep pretending that everything is okay when it's not." her gaze softened as she met jett's eyes, the pain reflected in his gaze mirroring her own. ''i know you could be better," she continued, her voice trembling with emotion. "but it's not just about you, jett. it's about me too." she swallowed back the lump forming in her throat, the tears threatening to spill over. "i can't keep waiting for you to change, hoping that one day you'll be the person i need you to be." the truth of her words hung between them like a barrier, separating them from the possibility of something more. she could see the hurt in his eyes, the desperation to make things right, and it tore at her heart. but she knew deep down that she couldn't sacrifice her own happiness for the sake of someone else's. "i'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart. "i wish things could be different, but they're not." and with that, she turned away, her footsteps heavy with the weight of what could have been, leaving him standing alone with his shattered dreams.

this was the first time that he’s ever really felt like this towards anyone. all of his life he was convinced that love wasn’t the thing for him, that it was only part of the fairytales that was never a reality. especially with how screwed up his parents were, it only lead to him being the way he was. his eyes darts over towards her features, a pain look taking over his features. “don’t say that.. i could be better.. better for you.” he mutters softly, trying to get her to see that he wasn’t all too bad. words were like shards of glass cutting through him piece by piece, not wanting to lose the one person that makes him feel sane. “please, sophia.”

wyatt's smirk only widened at her retort, though beneath the facade of amusement lay a storm of conflicting emotions. he couldn't deny the thrill he felt every time they clashed, the electric tension that crackled between them like wildfire. but he also couldn't ignore the ache in his chest, the longing for something more meaningful than these petty exchanges. "you really believe that, huh?" he replied, his tone laced with a hint of bitterness that he couldn't quite mask. "maybe you're right. Maybe it's all just a game to you." his gaze bore into hers, searching for any flicker of emotion, any sign that she might feel the same turmoil he did. but all he saw was defiance, a wall of stubborn resolve that left him feeling more isolated than ever. he wanted to reach out to her, to tear down the barriers she had erected around her heart, but he knew it was futile. she was determined to keep him at arm's length, to deny the connection that burned between them like a flame refusing to be extinguished. "fine," he muttered, forcing a nonchalant shrug even as his heart screamed in protest. "believe whatever you want. but don't come crying to me when you realize what you're missing." with that, he turned on his heel and walked away, the weight of her indifference heavy on his shoulders, dragging him further into the abyss of unrequited longing.

there was nothing she wanted to do more than wipe that smug smirk away from his lips. the frustrations and annoyances were like an everyday occurrence when she spots him. as if he jumped at every chance to get under her skin and she must admit it was working. yet, there was another part of her that wonders if maybe there was something more to it. something that she couldn’t really explain and quite honestly she didn’t want to. “adding a bit excitement? are you being real right now? maybe you’re the only one that gets excited over our interactions.” she shoots back, shaking her head as her hues meets with his — brow rising at his suggestion, “i can’t admit it if it’s not true. i’m not a very good liar you know.. there’s definitely nothing more to it.”

amelia felt like she was standing on the edge of a precipice, the ground crumbling beneath her with every word spoken. she had tried so hard to bury the guilt, to pretend like nothing had happened, but now it hung between them like a heavy fog, suffocating her with its presence. her heart raced in her chest as she struggled to find the right words, to navigate the delicate balance between honesty and self-preservation. she wanted to scream, to lash out at her friend for putting her in this impossible situation. but she knew deep down that she had brought it upon herself, that she had willingly crossed a line that should never have been crossed. "i... - i don't know," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "i don't know what to do." her mind raced with a thousand different scenarios, each one more painful than the last. how could she possibly choose between betraying her friend's trust and breaking her own heart? tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at her friend, searching for some sign of understanding, some glimmer of forgiveness. but all she saw was disappointment, accusation, and it cut her to the core. "i'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart. "i'm so sorry." but even as the words left her lips, she knew that they would never be enough to mend the broken bond between them.

it was difficult dancing around the truth, she knew that she betrayed her best friend by sharing intimacy with the other, but she couldn’t help it. and of course she knew that it was off putting still hyping up her friend despite what happened to them, but she didn’t need anyone around to overhear their conversation. how does one even bring it up? “yeah, she’s the best.” she nods her head, small smile forming across her lips before amelia’s next words rings through her ears. the smile upon her face drops, a new uneasy feeling emerges as she lets out a soft sigh. “and are you going to tell her what happened? break that little heart of hers?” brows quirked wondering if she needs to brace herself for a fight and possible loss of her best friend. “or would you rather go up to her and tell her that you’re not interested? because it seems as if she won’t listen to me.”

carson's heart sank as her words pierced through him like shards of glass. He had hoped, foolishly perhaps, that she might finally see him for who he truly was, that she might recognize the depth of his feelings for her. but instead, she stood before him, her gaze distant, her words like a cold slap to his face. he could feel the weight of her indifference pressing down on him, suffocating him with its cruelty. how could she not see the passion burning in his eyes, the longing etched into every word he spoke? how could she dismiss the connection they shared so easily, as if it were nothing more than a passing breeze? his chest tightened with a mixture of pain and frustration, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. he wanted to scream at her, to shake her until she finally understood. but he knew it would be pointless, that she was too blinded by her own insecurities to see the truth. so instead, he swallowed back his anger, his hurt, and forced a tight smile onto his lips. "sure," he replied, his voice strained with emotion. "let's just drop it." but inside, he felt as if his heart were shattering into a million irreparable pieces, each one a reminder of the love he had foolishly allowed himself to feel for her. ''just so you know, i won't be here to run for whenever he inevitably breaks your heart. i won't stand for it anymore.''

it was scary how well he knew her, could tell that she was absolutely bullshitting her way out of this conversation. trying to ignore the deep intricacies that is their relationship. word after word spills from his lips, finding comfort in them. when all she wanted to do was push it away, not face the facts that she was in a safe relationship, trying to guard her heart from any possibility of them ever becoming a thing. eyes darts over towards him, intensity held in her gaze as she lets out a soft sigh. there was no use putting up with an argument she’s destined to lose. “and so what if i’m in a safe relationship? he’s predictable, easy to talk to.” but she didn’t love him, not the way she adores the person standing in front of her. “can we just drop this?”

mallory's heart sank as christian's words washed over her, the weight of his confession pressing down on her like a heavy stone. she had always suspected that his inability to communicate his feelings would be the downfall of their relationship, but hearing him admit it out loud only made the pain that much more unbearable. "we do," he exclaimed, his voice filled with desperation as he reached out to take her hand. but despite his fervent declaration, she couldn't shake the nagging doubt that lingered in the depths of her mind. she had always believed that actions spoke louder than words, but even his actions had begun to feel hollow and empty, devoid of the depth of emotion she had once believed they shared. "i thought you knew how I felt about you," he continued, his words a bittersweet reminder of the love they had once shared. but as mallory looked into his eyes, she saw only the remnants of a love that had long since faded, replaced by the suffocating weight of unspoken words and unresolved emotions. "i wish i could believe you," she whispered, her voice barely above a broken murmur. "but actions speak louder than words, christian. and lately, your actions... they haven't matched up with your words." tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke, the pain of their impending breakup threatening to consume her whole. she had wanted so desperately to believe that their love was enough to overcome any obstacle, but now, faced with the harsh reality of their situation, she couldn't help but feel like a fool for ever believing in something that was never meant to be. "i meant every word I said," he insisted, his voice tinged with desperation. but as mallory looked into his eyes, she saw only the emptiness staring back at her, a painful reminder of the love they had lost and the words left unspoken.

common case of miscommunication, christian was never good at articulating his feelings. had always been the type of person to shove it down until it got too much. despite being his happiest with mallory, he still couldn’t put his feelings into words. seemingly it being the reason why their relationship was coming to an end, heartaches even at the mere thought of it. his eyes scans hers, “we do!” he exclaims, inching closer towards the female — hand darting out hesitantly to take hold of hers. “i thought you knew how i felt about you, i meant every word i said.”

grace's heart clenched as she looked up to see him standing there, his concern etched across his features like a shadow cast by the dim light of the hallway. she had tried to push him away, had built walls around herself in a futile attempt to keep him out, but he had always been too stubborn, too determined to let her shut him out completely. "i'm fine," she forced out, her voice betraying the lie even as she tried to sound convincing. but the truth was, she wasn't fine. not even close. she hadn't been fine since the day he walked out of her life, leaving her alone in the darkness of her empty apartment with nothing but her shattered dreams for company. his offer of company, of a shoulder to lean on in her darkest hour, only served to reopen the wounds she had spent so long trying to heal. She wanted to push him away, to tell him to leave her alone and never come back, but a part of her, a part she hated to admit existed, yearned for his presence, for the comfort of his familiar warmth beside her. "i don't need your pity," she snapped, her words laced with bitterness and self-loathing. "i don't need anyone's pity." but even as she spoke, a small part of her whispered that maybe, just maybe, she did need him. maybe she needed him more than she cared to admit, more than she was willing to let herself believe. and as she stood there, her resolve crumbling like sand between her fingers, she wondered if maybe, just maybe, it was time to let him back in, to allow herself to hope for something more than the empty solitude of her dimmed apartment.

he was being stubborn, determined to get the female to open the door regardless of how long he stood out there. hearing shuffling coming from the other side, he awaits and the door swung open. immediately his gaze falls upon the blonde, knowing her dimmed apartment, much different from the last time he knocked asking them to keep quiet. “just wanted to make sure you’re okay.” he states, unsure if she’s aware of how observant he was. noticed how she didn’t seem like herself and she confirmed his suspicious. “well, i’m sorry to hear that and i’m probably the last person you want to see.. but if you want i could keep you some company? have you eaten?”

cassie's heart shattered into a million pieces as she listened to his words, each syllable a dagger piercing her already wounded soul. she had known this moment would come, had braced herself for the inevitable pain of watching him struggle with the impossible choice laid before him. but even so, hearing him express his love for her, his desperate plea to not have to choose, only served to deepen the ache in her chest. "i wish it were that simple, i wish we could just ignore the world and be together," she whispered, her voice barely above a broken sob. "but you know as well as i do that it's not that easy." the weight of their situation pressed heavily on her shoulders, a burden she had carried with her since the moment they had fallen in love. she had tried to convince herself that their love could conquer all, that they could defy the odds stacked against them and find a way to be together. but deep down, she knew that some obstacles were too great to overcome, some sacrifices too painful to bear. "i don't want to lose you either," she admitted, her voice trembling with emotion. "but i can't ask you to choose between me and your family. i won't be the reason you lose everything you hold dear." tears welled up in her eyes as she met his gaze, the anguish reflected in his glassy eyes mirroring her own. "i love you, more than anything in this world," she confessed, her voice raw with emotion. "but if staying with me means tearing your family apart, then i can't be selfish enough to ask that of you." as she spoke, cassie felt a piece of her heart break off, a casualty of the impossible love they shared. she knew that no matter how much it hurt, no matter how much she wished things could be different, sometimes love just wasn't enough. and as she watched him struggle with his decision, she prayed that he would find the strength to choose what was best for him, even if it meant letting her go.

this was the worst type of pain he could endure, one that he wish not to face, but unfortunately he has to. he has to choose between his family and the love of his life. to some it may be an easy answer, but for him he had so much to lose on both ends. glassy eyes meets hers, heart beats rapidly hearing that he would have her. if no one else was in his corner, she would be because she was great like that. question after question spills from her, those very same question he asks himself late at night when he couldn’t fall asleep — if anything those questions left him up. “i love you, so so much… it pains me to have to choose. i refuse to.” he shakes his head, “i can’t lose you.. i really can’t.” his voice full of sincerity, unsure of what his future would hold, but he wanted her in it regardless.

tessa's heart clenched at laur's accusation, his words cutting through her like a knife. she had known this conversation was inevitable, had braced herself for the onslaught of questions and accusations that would surely follow their reunion. but even so, facing his hurt and confusion head-on was more painful than she had anticipated. "i didn't mean to hurt you," she whispered, her voice barely above a hoarse murmur. ''but i couldn't stay. i had to leave, for both of our sakes." the weight of her decision pressed heavily on her shoulders, a burden she had carried with her every day since the moment she walked away. she had tried to convince herself that it was the right thing to do, that leaving him was the only way to protect them both from the inevitable heartache that would have followed if they had stayed together. "i know it's hard to understand," she continued, her words tinged with a hint of desperation. "but there were things... things i couldn't tell you, things i couldn't bear to burden you with." the memories of that fateful day flashed before her eyes, the pain and fear driving her to make a decision she knew would haunt her for the rest of her days. she had tried to convince herself that she was doing the right thing, that leaving him was the only way to spare him from the darkness that threatened to consume her. "i thought I was doing what was best for both of us," she admitted, her voice trembling with emotion. "but now... - now i see that i was wrong. i should have trusted you enough to let you in, to share my burdens with you instead of pushing you away." tessa's gaze met his her eyes pleading for understanding, for forgiveness. "i'm sorry, laur," she whispered, the weight of her confession heavy on her heart. "i never meant to hurt you. i just... - i couldn't bear to see you suffer because of me."

laur wasn't usually one to hold onto the past, but this relationship had puzzled him. he thought that everything had been going perfectly, even getting close to the point of proposing, when she had suddenly dumped him and he couldn't get in touch with her for the longest time. now that the two were finally reunited, he needed some questions answered. "how can you just leave me in the dark like that, tessa? i thought what we had was good, but apparently for you it wasn't." / @julybloom

his heart twisted with a mixture of frustration and longing as her words pierced through him like shards of glass. he had never imagined that letting her go would hurt this much, that seeing her with someone else would ignite a firestorm of jealousy and regret within him. he wanted to scream, to shake her and make her understand that he had made a mistake, that he was willing to do whatever it took to win her back. but her unwavering resolve, her steadfast refusal to even entertain the possibility of reconciliation, left him feeling helpless and defeated. "i know i messed up," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the tumult of emotions raging inside him. "but please, you have to believe me when I say that i never stopped loving you." his words hung in the air like a desperate plea, a last-ditch effort to bridge the chasm that had grown between them. but even as he spoke, he knew that words alone were not enough to mend what he had broken. "i'll do anything, anything to make things right," he continued, his voice trembling with emotion. "just give me a chance to prove to you that i've changed, that I'm not the same person who hurt you." but as he watched the steely determination in her eyes, joshua felt a sinking realization settle in the pit of his stomach. she had moved on, had found someone else who made her happy, and no amount of pleading or promises could change that. ''you know i'll do anything to get you back, please. i'm literally begging you on my knees.''

                   what   did   joshua   want   from   her   ?   it   was   ironic   —   he   was   the   one   who   ended   things   ,   not   her   ,   yet   now   he   was   throwing   a   fit   because   she   had   moved   on   .   typical   .   heaven   forbid   she   found   someone   who   genuinely   cared   for   her   ,   someone   who   didn’t   play   games   with   her   heart   like   he   did   .   despite   the   turmoil   and   frustration   ,   a   part   of   her   still   longed   for   him   ,   holding   onto   the   hope   of   a   reconciliation   .   but   she   couldn’t   simply   let   him   back   into   her   life   without   him   proving   he   deserved   it   .   “   i   don’t   care   if   it’s   difficult   for   you   ,   joshua   .   you   have   to   accept   that   i’ve   moved   on   ,   ”   she   asserted   firmly   ,   her   tone   unwavering   in   the   face   of   his   pleading   .   he   had   made   his   decision   ,   and   now   he   had   to   face   the   consequences   of   his   actions   .   “   i’m   sorry   ,   but   you   had   your   chance   ,   and   you   lost   me   ,   ”   she   declared   ,   her   stance   unyielding   .   she   wasn’t   certain   what   he   could   possibly   say   to   sway   her   decision   ,   but   she   knew   he   would   try   —   it   was   in   his   nature   to   pursue   what   he   wanted   .   “   don’t   do   this   ,   please   ,   ”   she   implored   softly   ,   the   weight   of   his   confession   adding   to   the   burden   already   heavy   on   her   heart   .

max's heart clenched at her words, the weight of their tangled emotions pressing down on him like a suffocating blanket. he had never anticipated the depth of their connection, the way their bond had woven itself into every aspect of his being, until it became impossible to distinguish where she ended and he began. but beneath the surface of their shared intimacy lurked a shadow of doubt, a nagging fear that threatened to unravel everything they had built together. he had grown accustomed to the warmth of her presence, to the way she fit perfectly against his side in the dim light of dawn. yet, with each passing day, the certainty of their future grew more uncertain, like a sandcastle crumbling beneath the relentless tide. as she turned to face him, her eyes wide with desperation, he felt a lump form in his throat, choking back the words he knew he could never say. he wanted to believe her promises, to cling to the hope that their love could defy the odds stacked against them. but deep down, he knew the truth, knew that their affair was built on shaky foundations, destined to crumble beneath the weight of their unspoken desires. "i wish we could," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. ''but you know we can't keep living like this, pretending that everything's okay when it's not." his words hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the reality they could no longer ignore. "i don't want to lose you either," he admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "but we can't keep fooling ourselves into thinking that this is enough, that we can just sweep our feelings under the rug and pretend they don't exist." he reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek in a gentle caress. "i love you," he whispered, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. "but love isn't enough to make this right, not when we're both drowning in our own fears and insecurities." as he watched her gaze search his for some semblance of reassurance, he felt the weight of their shared pain settle like a heavy stone in the pit of his stomach. "i'm sorry," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "but i can't keep pretending that everything's okay when it's not."

                   they   had   slipped   into   a   familiar   routine   ,   finding   solace   in   the   shared   comfort   of   intoxication   and   each   other’s   embrace   .   his   sheets   held   their   secrets   ,   and   in   the   darkness   of   night   ,   they   bared   their   souls   .   she   had   grown   accustomed   to   the   warmth   of   his   bed   ,   unable   to   sleep   without   the   haze   of   alcohol   enveloping   her   in   his   arms   .   despite   the   undeniable   allure   of   their   forbidden   connection   ,   she   knew   they   were   treading   on   dangerous   ground   ,   walking   a   path   they   could   never   retreat   from   .   yet   ,   the   depth   of   her   feelings   for   him   outweighed   the   fear   of   consequences   ,   even   if   she   lacked   the   courage   to   voice   them   sober   .   every   morning   brought   a   renewed   battle   within   her   ,   the   fear   of   losing   him   once   their   affair   reached   its   inevitable   end   .   their   friendship   was   the   cornerstone   of   her   existence   ,   and   the   mere   thought   of   its   demise   sent   tremors   of   dread   through   her   soul   .   as   they   lay   in   silence   ,   she   felt   his   gaze   upon   her   ,   though   she   dared   not   meet   it   ,   dreading   the   possibility   of   his   departure   .   the   fear   gnawed   at   her   ,   the   nagging   doubt   that   she   was   merely   a   temporary   distraction   ,   easily   replaced   once   their   sexual   relationship   grew   stale   .   when   he   finally   spoke   ,   she   turned   to   face   him   ,   a   plea   forming   on   her   lips   .   “   can’t   we   just   pretend   for   a   little   while   longer   ?   ”   she   begged   ,   her   desperation   apparent   in   the   air   .   “   you   won’t   lose   me   .   i   promise   ,   i’m   here   for   the   long   haul   ,   ”   she   asserted   ,   her   voice   trembling   with   uncertainty   as   she   searched   his   eyes   for   the   reassurance   she   so   desperately   craved   .

her heart clenched as his words washed over her, stirring up a tempest of conflicting emotions. his sudden reappearance in her life dredged up memories she had buried deep, memories of heartache and longing she had fought so hard to move past. she listened in silence, her fingers curling around the edges of the table, anchoring herself against the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. his confession, so raw and vulnerable, tugged at her heartstrings, igniting a spark of hope she had long extinguished. but alongside that hope simmered a simmering resentment, a bitter reminder of the pain he had inflicted when he walked away all those years ago. she remembered the tears she shed, the sleepless nights spent wondering what she had done wrong, why she wasn't enough to make him stay. as dallas reached out to grasp her hand, kiana's instinct was to pull away, to shield herself from the vulnerability his touch invoked. yet, a part of her yearned to believe his words, to believe that maybe, just maybe, they could find their way back to each other. but she couldn't ignore the nagging voice of doubt whispering in the recesses of her mind, reminding her of the scars he had left behind, scars that still throbbed with pain whenever she allowed herself to remember. "i... - i don't know, dallas," she finally murmured, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "i've spent so long trying to move on, trying to forget... it's not easy to just open myself up to that kind of hurt again." her eyes, once bright with youthful optimism, now shimmered with the residue of old wounds. "you can't just waltz back into my life and expect everything to be okay," she continued, her words tinged with a bitterness she couldn't quite suppress. ''i can't go through that pain again, dallas. i won't."

                   dallas   had   made   a   conscious   decision   to   walk   away   from   kiana   years   ago   ,   convinced   she   deserved   far   better   than   what   he   could   offer   .   he   saw   himself   as   a   small   town   boy   ,   destined   to   remain   stagnant   while   she   soared   to   great   heights   .   believing   he   was   holding   her   back   ,   he   chose   to   spare   her   the   burden   of   waiting   for   him   to   catch   up   ,   even   if   it   meant   sacrificing   his   own   happiness   .   it   was   a   painful   choice   ,   but   he   convinced   himself   it   was   for   the   best   .   however   ,   fate   had   other   plans   .   a   scholarship   to   a   college   out   of   town   ,   coupled   with   the   opportunity   to   play   football   on   a   full   ride   ,   unexpectedly   propelled   him   out   of   the   confines   of   his   hometown   .   it   was   a   twist   of   fate   he   never   saw   coming   ,   and   he   couldn’t   help   but   feel   grateful   to   kiana   for   believing   in   him   ,   even   when   he   didn’t   believe   in   himself   .   returning   to   town   ,   he   harbored   a   mixture   of   excitement   and   apprehension   at   the   prospect   of   seeing   her   again   .   their   reunion   at   their   old   secret   hangout   filled   him   with   a   sense   of   nostalgia   and   longing   .   as   he   laid   eyes   on   her   ,   the   familiar   rush   of   emotions   flooded   back   ,   and   he   couldn’t   help   but   marvel   at   how   time   had   only   enhanced   her   beauty   .   “   i   know   ,   ”   he   responded   softly   ,   his   hand   reaching   out   to   grasp   hers   .   “   but   i   want   to   try   and   make   things   right   between   us   .   i’m   not   sure   how   long   i’ll   be   in   town   ,   but   i   don't   want   to   leave   without   us   being   on   good   terms   .   i   missed   you   ,   kiana   .   you’re   the   only   girl   i’ve   ever   loved   .   ”

as she watched xavier from across the room, her heart sank with each glimpse of his pained expression. she had known this reunion would dredge up painful memories, but seeing the torment etched on his face cut her deeply. his attempts to mask his inner turmoil were futile to her keen eyes. She couldn't help but notice the hollow look in his eyes, a stark contrast to the laughter and camaraderie that once defined their relationship. the way he spoke of their past, of their shared history, it was laced with bitterness and regret, a bitter reminder of what they had lost. when his gaze briefly met hers, emilia felt a surge of longing mixed with a pang of guilt. she knew she was part of the reason for his current anguish, for the shattered dreams and unfulfilled promises that weighed heavy on his shoulders. as he approached her, his casual demeanor failing to conceal the pain lurking beneath the surface, emilia's heart ached with the weight of their shared history. his offer of a shot for old time's sake only served to twist the knife deeper, a painful reminder of what they once had and what they had lost. unable to bear the weight of his sorrow any longer, her facade crumbled, and tears welled up in her eyes. "xavier," she whispered, her voice barely above a hoarse murmur, "i'm so sorry." but the words felt inadequate, like drops in an ocean of regrets and unspoken apologies. in that moment, surrounded by the ghosts of their past and the echoes of their fractured love, the femme realized that some wounds never truly heal, and some mistakes are too heavy to bear. "i never meant for things to end like this," she confessed, her words heavy with regret. "i wish i could go back and change it all." the weight of their past too heavy to bear. "it's too late for that now," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the din of the reunion. "some things... - some things can't be fixed."

                   xavier   had   seriously   contemplated   skipping   the   reunion   altogether   ,   but   his   buddies   had   been   relentless   in   convincing   him   otherwise   ,   promising   a   night   of   good   memories   and   fun   .   yet   ,   deep   down   ,   he   dreaded   the   idea   of   revisiting   his   past   successes   ,   knowing   all   too   well   that   it   would   only   serve   as   a   reminder   of   his   perceived   failures   .   while   his   restaurant   thrived   ,   his   personal   life   was   far   from   the   picturesque   vision   he   had   once   envisioned   with   emilia   .   they   were   supposed   to   have   built   a   family   by   now   ,   passing   on   the   family   legacy   and   name   .   instead   ,   here   he   stood   ,   a   companionless   figure   in   his   thirties   ,   grappling   with   the   weight   of   unmet   expectations   .   as   he   braced   himself   for   the   evening   ahead   ,   he   resolved   to   limit   himself   to   just   a   few   drinks   ,   anticipating   the   inevitable   probing   questions   about   his   failed   marriage   .   surrounded   by   his   old   teammates   ,   his   gaze   wandered   the   room   ,   searching   for   familiar   faces   until   it   settled   on   her   .   he   offered   a   quick   nod   before   swiftly   diverting   his   attention   elsewhere   ,   attempting   to   play   it   cool   .   later   that   night   ,   as   fate   would   have   it   ,   they   found   themselves   drawn   to   each   other   ,   their   paths   inevitably   crossing   .   “   not   that   long   ,   ”   he   responded   ,   a   tinge   of   bitterness   lacing   his   tone   .   “   i   almost   skipped   it   altogether   ,   but   the   guys   insisted   i   make   an   appearance   .   ”   he   shrugged   casually   ,   acting   nonchalant   .   a   chuckle   escaped   him   as   he   reminisced   about   their   past   antics   ,   the   memories   a   bittersweet   reminder   of   what   once   was   .   despite   the   laughter   ,   he   couldn’t   shake   the   weight   of   their   recent   struggles   ,   the   memories   of   their   relentless   conflicts   leading   up   to   their   divorce   still   fresh   in   his   mind   .   “   well   ,   what   do   you   say   to   a   shot   now   ?   for   old   time’s   sake   ?   ”   he   suggested   ,   hoping   to   recapture   a   fragment   of   the   closeness   they   had   once   shared   .

as the doorbell chimed, nora hesitated before answering, not expecting any visitors on valentine's day. when she opened the door, her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of kira standing there, a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a bag of takeout from their favorite spot in the other. "hi, kira," she greeted, a smile spreading across her face at the unexpected but welcome sight of her friend. her thoughtful gesture warmed her heart, dispelling the loneliness that had settled over her on this romantic holiday. her proposal to spend the day together, just the two of them, filled nora with a sense of joy and gratitude. "that sounds wonderful," she replied, genuine appreciation coloring her voice as she accepted the bag of takeout. with a grateful hug, she welcomed kira inside, feeling a surge of happiness at the prospect of spending valentine's day in the company of her dear friend. as they settled in, the aroma of their favorite food filling the air, she couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and contentment wash over her, grateful for her presence in her life on this special day. ''i truly did not want to go out on this day so you have no idea how much this made my day, for sure.''

valentine's day starter inspired based on this

kira rang the bell of the other, flowers in one hand and a bag of takeout from their favorite spot in the other. when the other opened the door, she raised the food bag up and smiled. “hi! i thought that since we both had nowhere to be today, we could make a day of it. just ourselves.” @julybloom

as his words washed over sasha, a wave of conflicting emotions surged through her veins, threatening to overwhelm her fragile composure. his earnest desire to be there for her, to mend the broken pieces of her soul, was both a blessing and a curse—a reminder of the deep bond they shared, yet also a painful reminder of her own inadequacies. "i... i appreciate it, finn," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, her gaze flickering away from his intense stare. the weight of his care and concern pressed down on her like a suffocating blanket, smothering the flames of her independence and suffusing her with a sense of suffocating guilt. but beneath the facade of gratitude lay a simmering reservoir of resentment and frustration, directed not at him, but at herself. how could she burden him with her own insecurities and fears, knowing full well that he deserved so much more than her fractured self? a bitter taste filled her mouth as she forced a weak smile, her heart aching with the weight of unspoken words. "thank you." she repeated, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion. "but... but maybe space is what i need right now." the admission hung heavy in the air, a silent plea for him to understand the depths of her turmoil. she wanted to push him away, to shield him from the storm raging within her, yet the thought of losing him only intensified the ache in her chest. "i'm sorry," she whispered, her voice cracking with the weight of unshed tears. "i just... - i need to figure things out on my own." the words tasted bitter on her tongue, a painful reminder of the distance that had grown between them. as he withdrew, his hand slipping from hers like sand through her fingers, sasha felt a pang of regret stab at her heart. she longed to reach out, to pull him back into the safety of her embrace, yet the fear of dragging him down with her held her back, tethering her to the shadows that threatened to consume them both.

finn has always been the type of person to be there for someone when needed, pick up the pieces and place things back together. it was what he was used to, especially when it came to people he cared about. sasha was no different -- if anything he cared for her a lot more than he expected. wanting to be the person who fixes all her issues no matter how big or small. it was his way of showing that he cares. a sigh fell from his lips as his eyes dimmed, nodding ever so slightly. "i'm sorry -- i'll give you some space." and he meant it, if that's what she truly wanted he won't be so invasive -- never wanting to feel as if he's jumping down her throat or anything. he's aware that he can be overbearing. it didn't make this any less difficult, it meant that he was pulling back from the one person he cared most about. feeling as if he wasn't ready to admit that out loud, instead he just stuffs his hand into pocket of his jeans as he swallows down the lump that formed. "it's fine, really. i understand."

as he looked into iridescent's bright eyes, her enthusiasm was like a beacon of light in the darkness of his thoughts. yet, beneath the surface, a heavy weight tugged at his heart, pulling him deeper into the shadows of his own fears and insecurities. a forced smile stretched across his lips, a feeble attempt to mask the turmoil churning within him. he wanted to believe her words, to share in her optimism, but the weight of his own conscience bore down on him like a suffocating burden. "iridescent, i..." his voice faltered, betraying the uncertainty that gnawed at his resolve. how could he make her understand the dangers they were courting, the risks they were both blindly embracing? "i appreciate your trust in me," he finally managed to say, his words heavy with unspoken regret. "but... but i can't promise that we won't get caught." the admission hung in the air like a bitter truth neither of them wanted to face. his grip tightened on her arm, a silent plea for her to understand the gravity of their situation. "i don't want you to get hurt because of me," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "i can't bear the thought of... of anything happening to you." the sense of excitement that pulsed through her veins only served to deepen his sense of dread, a stark reminder of the consequences they were both so willfully ignoring. "i'll do my best to keep us safe," he promised, though the words felt hollow and empty against the backdrop of their precarious circumstances. but deep down, he knew that some risks were too great, some adventures too dangerous to pursue. and yet, he couldn't bring himself to let her go, couldn't bear the thought of losing her to the darkness that threatened to consume them both.

iridescent's big eyes meets his, smile so bright that it could put the sun to shame. there was something about carson that intrigued her, something about how serious he was only made her want to pull out all sides to him -- there had to be a side of him that was willing to have some sort of fun right? "exactly, i'm glad that we can see eye to eye!" a warm smile appears as he squeezes her arm. "i promise you that we won't get caught. you know the last thing i want is for you to get into any trouble what so ever." and she did know how much his reputation meant to him -- not ever wanting to spoil that due to her behavior. there was a sense of excitement rushing through her veins as they unravel a new adventure with one another. "i think we can figure it out. i'll be a full proof solid plan too, make sure none of us get caught."