Anthony's POV
I came to the creek to breathe.
No notifications. No Kara. No school group chats.
Just me, the quiet ripple of the water, and the ache I hadn't figured out how to stop feeling.
Then I saw her.
Julia
I was glad she was ok .
She sat on the edge of the grass, crossing her arms over her towel. "You look like hell."
"Thanks."
Julia studied me for a second. Camila still meant something to you."
"she always does."
There was silence. Then she asked quietly, "So… what do you want, Anthony? What are your intentions?"
I let out a breath. "I want her. I never stopped wanting her. But I let her go, and I thought it was the right thing. I thought school, my dad, everything was falling apart—and she deserved more than someone who didn't have it all together."
"You think she cared about 'having it all together?'" Julia asked. "She just wanted you."
I rubbed my hands over my face. "I know. I messed up."
"She's hurt."
"I know that too."
"Then fix it."
"I don't even know how anymore. She's not… angry. That'd be easier. She's distant. Polite. Like I'm a stranger with memories."
Julia nodded slowly, then turned serious. "I'll give you something for free, Anthony. You don't always get love twice. If you want her, be a man and fight for her."
I swallowed. "Even if I've already lost?"
She smiled sadly. "Love doesn't disappear just because you walked away. And it doesn't grow back just because you showed up again. But it can come back… if you're honest."
I nodded, letting that settle in.
"Now your turn," I said antwan and Tyler "What do you think about… two guys liking the same girl, and the girl liking both back?"
I looked at her.
She was trying to sound nonchalant, but I knew the weight behind it. I saw it in her eyes.
"You don't owe anyone a decision before you're ready," I said quietly. "But if they really care about you, they'll wait. They'll compromise. I mean… love doesn't always come in a straight line. But it's real if it stays even when it's messy."
She blinked fast. "That helps. Thanks."
"Any time, Jules."
Then like a calm wind and on hot day Camila she just waved at Julia and gave me a weak smile
Julia jumped up and jogged off towards her
When she left, I sat back and watched the water for a few more minutes. Then I pulled out my phone.
I scrolled through my messages.
Her voice note was still there. Still biting. Still burned into my memory. "I have my car. I don't need a personal driver."
But she smiled at me. Even a little.
So I responded.
Anthony:
"Awch… guess you don't need a personal driver anymore 😔 but I do need a passenger princess. Just sayin."
I hesitated before hitting send. Then I did. Screw it.
She replied later.
Camila:
"What about your little brunette friend?"
I exhaled. At least she was responding. That meant something.
Anthony:
"Kara? She's cool. Smart. She kinda reminds me of you. I think we're just classmates."
No reply yet.
But it felt good.
Not because I knew where we stood.
But because the silence had finally cracked.
And in that tiny little gap, I saw the old us again.
Maybe that was enough—for now.