The days following the exchange of messages felt like a blur. Diane was caught between the weight of the past and the hesitant hope that Aaron was offering. Every day, she tried to convince herself that she could move on, that she could continue to push forward, but each time she saw his name pop up on her phone screen, a sense of dread and warmth mixed together in a strange knot in her stomach.
For the first time in a long while, she wasn't sure what to feel. There had been so much darkness in her past, so many tragic events tied to her emotions, that it felt impossible to trust anything good again. But Aaron-he was persistent, gentle in his approach, and despite all the guilt that Diane carried, he was still there, waiting for her to open up.
She had seen him a few times after their conversation in the library, but each meeting was filled with tension. Diane would look at him, and she could almost feel the weight of the past pressing down on them both. She was afraid of what might happen if they grew closer-afraid that another tragedy might strike because of her. But Aaron refused to let her push him away.
---
It was Friday afternoon, and Diane had finished her classes for the week. Her heart raced a little as she packed up her books. She had made a promise to herself that she wouldn't run anymore, not from Aaron and not from the feelings she'd buried so deep. Today, she would face him. Today, she would try to trust him, even if she was terrified.
As she made her way out of the classroom, she saw him standing in the hallway. His eyes were on her immediately, and a soft smile tugged at his lips. But there was something different now-something that had shifted between them. Aaron wasn't just the boy she had once liked from a distance; he was someone who was trying to understand her, someone who saw through the walls she had built around herself.
"Diane," Aaron greeted, his voice warm and reassuring. "Can we talk?"
Diane hesitated for a moment, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. It was hard to explain the fear, the heavy weight of the guilt she carried. But there was something in Aaron's eyes, something that told her that maybe-just maybe-he was willing to carry it with her.
"Sure," she said quietly, nodding. "I think we need to."
---
They found a quiet spot near the back of the school, under a large oak tree where the late afternoon sun cast soft shadows across the grass. Diane took a deep breath, the cool breeze brushing against her face. She could feel Aaron's presence beside her, his quiet energy a stark contrast to her inner chaos.
"I've been thinking," Aaron began, his voice soft but steady. "About everything you said the other day. About how you're scared... about what happened. And I just want you to know that I'm not scared of you, Diane. I'm not going anywhere."
Diane glanced at him, her heart fluttering. "I don't want to hurt you, Aaron," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Every time I feel something for someone, it feels like something bad happens. And I'm so scared that if I get close to you... something bad will happen to you too."
Aaron's eyes softened as he listened, his expression filled with understanding. He placed a hand gently on hers, his touch warm and reassuring. "I don't want you to carry that alone anymore. I don't want you to feel like you have to protect me from something that might happen. You don't have to push me away."
Diane closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the weight of his words. She had been so used to running from everything, from her feelings, from the people who cared about her. But here was Aaron, standing in front of her, asking for something real, something she wasn't sure she could give.
"I don't know if I'm ready to... let go of that fear," Diane said softly. "I've pushed so many people away because of it. And I've hurt people... because of my feelings. I don't want to do that again."
Aaron nodded slowly, his hand still resting on hers. "I understand. But you don't have to let go of the fear all at once. We can take it slow, Diane. One step at a time. I'm not asking for you to forget your past or to pretend everything is okay. I'm just asking for a chance... a chance for us to figure this out together."
Diane's heart ached as she looked at him. For the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to hope. Hope that things could be different this time. Hope that maybe, just maybe, she could have a future with Aaron that wasn't defined by tragedy.
"Okay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "One step at a time."
Aaron's smile widened, and the warmth in his eyes made her chest tighten. It was a simple promise, but it was one she desperately needed.
---
The walk home felt different than all the others. The usual sense of dread, the fear of what might happen next, was still there-but it wasn't as overwhelming as it had been. For the first time in ages, Diane felt like she was allowed to take a step forward, to trust someone again without the crushing weight of guilt pulling her down.
When she got home, she texted Jana, Angeline, and Kaitlyn, updating them on everything that had happened that day. They responded with excitement, offering words of encouragement and support. For the first time in a long while, Diane felt like she wasn't alone.
As the evening wore on, Diane sat by the window, staring out into the darkness. The world outside seemed unchanged, but she knew she was different now. She wasn't running anymore. She was facing her fears, one step at a time. And for the first time in ages, it didn't feel like the end of something. It felt like the beginning.
ESTÁS LEYENDO
Fatal Strings
Misterio / Suspenso"Every love she touches ends in death. But what if love is the only thing that can save her?" Diane has lived her life shadowed by tragedy. Every boy she's ever loved has met a mysterious, untimely end-from playground accidents to fatal falls. Haunt...
