FALLING AROUND YOU ➵ DANIEL SEAVEY ➵ SEQUEL

16 ➵ I Won't Make the Same Mistake Twice

"I think I'm in love with you," Charlie's words were a whisper of hesitance.

"What?" I stiffened trying to read his expression.

"I think I'm in love with you," he repeated looking straight forward, "I know that I shouldn't have said anything right now, but I couldn't hold it in any longer. You're leaving, and I knew I would regret it if I never told you."

There have never been many moments were I'm completely speechless, but this would be the exception. The brown-eyed boy ignored my curious gaze. He tried pretending that I wasn't staring at him, but I could tell he noticed. He was waiting for a response, and slowly we both noticed my silence was one.

I bit the inside of my cheek, "How long have you felt this way?"

He was quiet. His orbs were suddenly hidden behind his eyelids as he closed his eyes deep in thought. "I honestly don't know," he started, "I think it's when I realized you were my only concern. I cared more about how you were than my own personal wellbeing."

"You were always there. When I called, you answered— no matter what," I realized out of disbelief.

"I couldn't help it," he sighed, "no matter what it came down to, you were always a first priority, even over myself."

I suddenly felt like I drowning. I could feel the crisp air of the ocean air brushing upon my skin from the memories of surfing with Daniel once again. They were just memories, but I could still feel the sensation of the cold water on skin. Back then, I was surrounded by the water and in harmony of the ocean, but now, I suddenly felt like I was being dragged to the bottom of the sea with no real escape.

I let myself drown in everything Daniel and I could've been and more, but it was time to start coming up for air.

"I love you too," I lied.

Last time someone say that to me, I ruined everything. I bit the inside of my cheek unsure of his response before he looked at me taken aback by those words. I lied to him, and surely I was lying to myself. I knew my feelings for Charlie wasn't like my feelings for Daniel, but I wouldn't hurt another person I care about.

I won't make the same mistake twice.

We both sat there as silence was newly born. Neither of us could form the right words, but it was alright for now. I didn't know what to say— I didn't even know how to act anymore. I'm suppose to be complete without Daniel, but it felt like I gave a part of myself to him; not for his sake, but for my own.

I knew I shouldn't lied to Charlie, but maybe this was the first steps to leaving Daniel in my past. Or, maybe these were the first steps to absolute chaos.

"My dad said he'll consider having you with the company again," his words were plain. As I looked at him, I suddenly felt like he didn't believe my words from before.

"What?"

Charlie's tone was bare, "I heard what happened between you two, and I just had to talk to him. I think he scheduled a meeting for later this week."

"Charlie, you didn't have to—"

"He thinks we're together, so he took my words into consideration," he interrupted me, "I know how important your writing is to you, and I just couldn't think of something more heartbreaking than losing the one thing in your life that has always been stable— your passion for writing."

I suddenly reminisced back to when I told Mr. Gray that Charlie and I were together in hopes that he would stop connecting Daniel and I to the media. That seemed so long now, but it could have only been a few weeks ago.

I felt a tear drench onto my top, "Why did you do this?"

"Because I wanted you happy. That's all I ever wanted in the first place."

I didn't understand how I could have such a beill lingers to the person that said he wishes he never me. I dreamt so big when it came to Daniel, but maybe it turned out to be a delusion.

Suddenly, Charlie rose from his seat. I looked back to the boy with a confused glare, but he gave me a half-witted smile full of sadness.

"Where are you going?" my words broken.

He sighed looked back to me, "I know he's still a vivid thought in your mind. I want you to tell me you love me back when you really mean it — truly mean it. You fall in love more than once, Sienna. You'll fall in love again, and it will be just as amazing and confusing as the first one."

A dry chuckle filled my voice, "Charlie—"

"I'm not going to chase someone that's chasing someone else. It's okay if you don't love me, but if you do, I want it to be truthful, and I want to be the other person in your mind when you say it. I could live with the pain of unrequited love, but I don't think I could live with the pain of fake love."

I had no words once again.

"I know I'll see you again soon, Sienna. You'll never be a stranger to me."

And with that, he left.

I don't think I was in love with Charlie, but I knew I wanted to be. I didn't want to chase another boy that even had the slightest thought that his life would have been better if he never met me. The Daniel I knew was completely different from the Daniel that said that.

I needed to start accepting that.

—

hey guys! long time no see! i'm really sorry that's it's been a while since i've written, but in all honestly i didn't know if i would write for this book again, but i'm really glad i did. over the last three months, i really missed this series and i'm really glad that i'm writing for it again. i don't want to make any promises but i do have many new ideas for this book! i think this break was really good for me and i know there there will be fresh ideas on the way! anyways, please leave a vote and comments! thanks for all the support while i was gone!