｡𖦹°‧ 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐧' 𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐫𝐥 ⭑°‧꩜ .ᐟ

( 025. 'i miss you, im sorry' )

THE NEXT MORNING, ariella woke up with a heavy heart, the events of the past few weeks still swirling in her mind. she couldn't deny it—blake was right. she'd spent so many days ignoring walker, and for what? because he'd messed up? because of a mistake? the hurt was still there, but it wasn't as sharp as it had been last night. the silence between them had grown unbearable, and she really missed him, like badly. 

so she decided to do something about it.

she sighed, rubbing her eyes as she pulled herself out of bed. everyone knew ariella was petty, and that she was very stubborn and it was hard for her to admit her emotions. but it was harder to admit when she was confused. or worse, when she didn't know how to feel anymore.

ariella grabbed her phone and glanced at it. ok no new messages from walker. she hadn't heard from him at all since their last argument. she hadn't expected him to text her, though. she'd made it very clear she wanted space. but it didn't make the silence any easier to bear. each day felt longer than the last, and the weight of everything between them was suffocating.

she needed to do something. anything. 

so, without overthinking it too much, she grabbed her keys and slipped on her shoes. the idea of going to his house felt right—more right than sitting at home, waiting for him to make the first move. she needed closure. or maybe not closure. maybe just a chance to hear his side. 

she headed to the local flower shop on the corner of her street. it felt like a small, almost silly gesture, but it was something. something she could do to show that she was willing to try. the florist smiled when she walked in, greeting her with a friendly nod.

"how can i help you today?" the woman asked.

"just... a bouquet," ariella said softly, looking at the rows of fresh flowers. "something simple, but meaningful."

"for someone special?" the florist asked, raising an eyebrow.

ariella hesitated, then nodded. "yeah. you could say that."

the florist put together a beautiful bouquet of white lilies and lavender, the colors soft and calming. it felt right—subtle, but full of meaning. the kind of flowers that could speak louder than words.

"this one?" the florist asked, holding it up.

"yeah," ariella replied, smiling faintly. "that's perfect."

after paying, she walked out of the shop, the flowers in her arms, she knew it wasn't going to be easy, but it was something she had to do.

when she arrived at walker's house, she hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door. her heart was thudding in her chest, and her mind raced. what was she doing? what if he wasn't ready? what if she wasn't ready? but it was too late to back out now.

walker opened the door, surprise crossing his face when he saw her standing there, holding the flowers. for a moment, neither of them spoke. the air between them was thick with unspoken words, but the flowers in her hand seemed to break the tension.

"hey," he said quietly, his voice uncertain.

"hi," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "i... thought i'd bring these. i'm not sure if it'll help, but i wanted to start fresh. at least try."

walker stepped back, a mix of confusion and relief in his eyes. "you didn't have to—"

"i know," she interrupted gently. "but i think we need to talk. i need to talk."

he looked at her for a long moment, his gaze flickering down to the bouquet in her hands, and then back to her. he stepped aside, holding the door open for her. "come in. we can talk."

ariella stepped inside, setting the flowers down on the kitchen table. now the she thought about it, this was the first time she'd ever been inside walkers house. what a horrible way to make her first entrance. 

they sat down at the table across from each other, the silence stretching out between them like a thick fog. neither of them knew where to begin. after a moment, ariella finally spoke.

"i've been thinking," she started, her voice soft but firm. "about everything. about you. about us. and... i don't know what to make of all of it, but i dont want to lose you, i miss you alot walker and im so sorry for shutting you out."

walker's face softened, his eyes clouding with regret. he opened his mouth as if to say something, but then stopped himself, choosing to listen instead.

"i just... i feel like i might have over reacted, i dont know, i didnt know your side of the story, or anything and i just really liked you and i thought you might have not liked me back after i saw you kiss her but i just thought it was so weird that you kissed her becuase you were at my birthday" ariella rambeled, her voice shaking slightly. "and then you called me her name and i thought it was over for good, that this mystery crazy ex had swooped in and just ruined everything and i was upset, but i should have never shut you out like that and im sorry."

walker's jaw tightened, and he looked down at the table, his fingers gripping the edge. "i never meant for you to feel that way. i never wanted to make you feel like that. i know i messed up. i should've been there for you. i should've told you everything, been more open. but i didn't. and i can't change that. but i want you too know im so so so sorry ariella. i dont want anything to do with kayla, and i literally like you more than ive ever liked anyone before and i hate that i didnt tell you i ran into her the first time at the park which i should have."

ariella shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "it's not just about kayla, it's... everything. i dont know i just felt like a place holder, like i didnt matter, when i saw that i felt like you only wanted to hang out because you were waiting for her to come back.."

there was a long pause, and for the first time, walker met her gaze fully. his expression was raw, vulnerable. "you do matter. more than anything. i never wanted to hurt you. i just... i was afraid. afraid of losing you. afraid that if i told you everything, you'd walk away."

"and i would have? maybe," she whispered, blinking back a tear. "but at least i would've had the chance to choose."

walker's voice cracked slightly as he spoke. "i'm so sorry. i don't know what else to say. but i want to make it right. i'm willing to do whatever it takes."

ariella sat back in her chair, trying to collect her thoughts. "i do know that i need to trust you again. and i need to know that you're willing to put me first, not when it's convenient for you, but all the time. because if i can't trust you, i can't do this."

walker nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. "i'll do better. i'll show you that you're worth everything to me. i swear."

ariella exhaled shakily, wiping her eyes. "this isn't going to be easy. and it's not going to happen overnight. but if we're going to try again we have to start somewhere. we have to take it one step at a time."

walker reached across the table, his hand tentative but earnest. "one step at a time," he echoed.

ariella looked at him for a long moment, the tension slowly easing between them. for the first time in a while, she felt a glimmer of hope. it wasn't perfect, but maybe that was okay. they could start over, but only if they were both willing to try.

"okay," she said softly, a small, cautious smile forming on her lips.

the conversation shifted then, after a few moments of silence, walker spoke again. "i missed you," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "i hated this silence between us. it's been killing me."

ariella's heart softened, and she met his eyes, her own voice barely above a whisper. "i missed you too. i didn't realize how much until now. i was so angry, but it wasn't just about kayla... it was about feeling like we weren't really us anymore."

walker nodded, his face filled with regret. "i get it. i'm sorry for how everything went down. i never should've made you feel like that. i should've been more honest with you from the beginning."

"i'm sorry too," ariella said, her voice thick with emotion. "i shouldn't have let my anger take over. i should've given you a chance to explain, instead of shutting you out."

the air between them lightened, the weight of the past

week finally starting to lift. there were still so many things unsaid, so much to rebuild. but in that moment, there was peace. a fragile peace, yes, but peace nonetheless.

"let's not waste any more time," walker said softly, taking her hand across the table. "let's just be honest with each other from here on out. no more games. no more silence."

ariella squeezed his hand, a small smile tugging at her lips. "no more silence," she agreed. "i think we've both learned our lesson. i like totally iced you out."

walker grinned, and for the first time in days, they both felt complete again, like they were back with their other half. 

NIYA SPEAKS

hi hi hi! happy late 16th birthday to one of the cutest white boys ive ever seen

i kind of hate this chapter i really dont like writing angst, or like sad chapters

so im timeskippingggg (just a week) happy walker and ari back soon !!!