Bang.

Alexa, Lauren and I crash through the venue doors, laughing into the chilly December air. We’d spent the last three hours at our friend Leo’s birthday party, a party that ended ten minutes ago. Now, both Alexa’s and Lauren’s parents are here so I walk with them outside. I haven’t called my mom yet. One reason being I don’t have a phone, so I’ll have to borrow one. The second being I’ve been waiting for someone.

Someone who just left the building next door, where he works every weekend until 7:30.

Waving goodbye to my friends, I watch as Jacob nears his truck. Reaches it. Opens the door. Just before he climbs in, I call out. “Wait!” He stops, turns towards my voice, looks away. I can only imagine what he’s thinking. Please don’t leave.

As the sun sets, the air gets colder and I start to shiver. I can feel the tears threatening to spill over.

Sighing, he finally speaks, “What do you want?”

“To talk.” Frost crunches lightly as I step closer. “I wanted to say sorry.”

“Bit late for that, Stella.”

I nod, my throat closing up. “I know, I know. I…I just miss you. So much.” I’m crying now. The distant look in his eyes is killing me.

Don’t leave me. Don’t leave…

“Stella,” he says, emotion building in his voice. “You know I love you, but I can’t do this. I can’t do the lies anymore. You promised honesty, and you broke that promise. So I left.”

“I love you, too.” I whisper, barely audible through my tears. “I always will.”

This was stupid. I never should have called out. I should leave, go home, try to patch up my broken heart. But I don’t want to.

“I’m sorry. I know I lied to you. I know I messed up. I hate myself for what I did to you and I’ll understand if you never speak to me again after tonight. But please believe me, I’m changing-I’m changed. I haven’t lied to anyone since and now so many people are mad at me, but I know it’s worth it. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

He stares at me, thinking over what I’ve said. The street lights reflect in his eyes making them shine. Or maybe its tears.

No, I tell myself, not tears, lights. He wouldn’t cry, he hates me now.

“I want to believe you.”

Wants. He wants to believe me. But he doesn’t.

New tears form and fall. I turn and walk back towards the party venue to try and call my mom. Maybe a straggler will let me borrow their phone.

Before I reach the double doors, a hand grabs my arm. I startle and jerk around.

Jacob. He followed me. And he’s crying. Crying. Maybe he doesn’t hate me. I reach up to brush away a tear and he hugs me. “You didn’t let me finish, Stella. I want to believe you, so I’m giving you a second chance.”

“I don’t want you to leave.” I whisper. “i don’t want you to leave.” He holds me tighter. “I won’t leave you. Ever again.” And I believe him.

He pulls away and leads me to his truck. Drives me home. One hand on the wheel, one hand in mine.