If I Stayed | Christian Yu

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE - SAINT / 1 DAY LEFT

He didn't look at her again. Couldn't.

Because if he did... he wasn't sure he'd make it to tomorrow.

~

Dessert had just hit the table, something fancy with caramel drizzle and spun sugar on top, but Christian barely noticed.

The food had been good. The vibes were fine. He'd made it through the night without flipping a table or storming out or accidentally saying Aaliyah's name when someone asked who the song was about.

That had to count for something.

"I'm gonna step out for a bit," he said, half to no one.
Malik nodded without really looking. Kaylani raised an eyebrow.

Christian slipped away from the table, walking through the side door that led to the balcony. It was quiet out there. A little chilly. The kind of cold that helped you breathe again.

He leaned against the railing, both hands stuffed in his pockets, eyes on the city lights.
His shoulders finally dropped.

The sound of the door clicking behind him didn't even startle him.

He didn't turn around. Just said, "Let me guess."

Kaylani walked up beside him, heels clicking softly against the tile. She crossed her arms and leaned against the railing too.

"You guessed right."

He glanced sideways. "You following me now?"

She smirked. "Nope. Just saw you leave like you were about to scream into the void and figured I'd check in before you did."

Christian exhaled through his nose. "I'm fine."

"Liar."

He didn't argue.

They stood there for a second, watching the traffic below.

Then:
"You gonna talk about it?" she asked.

"About what?"

She gave him a look. "Don't be annoying."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "There's nothing to talk about."

"You kissed the bride-to-be, Chris."

Silence.

"I know," he muttered.

"She hasn't been the same since."

Christian blinked at that.

"She didn't tell me what happened," Kaylani added. "But she didn't have to. You think I don't know what her 'I'm fine' face looks like?"

Christian stayed quiet. Hands still in his pockets. The city below kept moving. Like it didn't care he was falling apart.

Kaylani turned to face him fully. "You're in love with her."

He didn't deny it.

"Still?" she asked gently.

He finally looked at her. "Always."

Her face softened. "And now?"

"I don't know. She kissed me back... but she's still marrying him. So either it didn't mean what I thought it did, or it did, and she's ignoring it anyway."

Kaylani nodded slowly. "That sucks."

"Yeah."

They stood in silence for a beat.

"I don't think she's ignoring it," she said quietly. "I think she's scared."

Christian swallowed hard. "She's not the only one."