As Kael walked back home later that night, his thoughts drifted to the past, back to a time when things had been simpler between him and Selene.
He remembered the summer they were twelve, when their families had taken a trip to a lake house up in the mountains. It had been one of the best summers of his life. They spent the days swimming in the lake, hiking through the woods, and lying under the stars at night, talking about everything and nothing.
One night, after everyone else had gone to bed, Kael and Selene had sneaked out onto the dock. The moonlight had reflected off the water, casting a silvery glow over everything.
"I love it here," Selene had whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "It's so peaceful."
Kael had nodded, his gaze fixed on the stars above. "Me too. I wish we could stay here forever."
Selene had smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. "Maybe one day we will. Just you and me, far away from everything else."
Kael had felt his heart swell at her words, a warmth spreading through his chest. He had wanted that too, to escape with Selene, to keep her close, always.
But now, years later, he realized that escaping wasn't the answer. They couldn't run away from their problems or their fears. They had to face them head-on, together.
---
Selene stood at her bedroom window, staring out at the quiet night. Her conversation with Kael had left her feeling raw, but also hopeful. They had finally started to unravel the tangled mess of their past, and for the first time in a long while, she felt like they had a chance.
But even as hope stirred in her heart, doubt lingered at the edges. Could they really make this work? Or was there too much damage between them to ever fully heal?
She didn't have the answers, but she knew one thing for sure, she wasn't ready to give up on Kael. Not yet.