“I think…” I pause, on the verge of tears.
“Oh, Serena,” Alli wraps me into her arms. “I know it hurts, I’m so sorry.”
I bury myself deep in her embrace. “It hurts, but I don’t know why. I have so many issues and I just–I don’t understand why after all these years she still has power over me.”
Alli strokes my hair gently, “Sometimes the past hurts us more than we realize. It might be time to confront it and move on.”
I sniffle, nodding against her shoulder. “I just wish it didn’t still hurt so much.”
“I know, sweetie, I know.” Alli steps back and places both hands on my shoulders. “You are the best person I know, and you deserve everything great, that includes Tyler. I can tell you’re avoiding him, but you and him are magic together. I mean, he’s brought you out of the shell your mom and Emilie forced you into and I couldn’t be more grateful for that. I’m so happy for you. I wantyouto be happy.”
“Thank you, Alli,” I say casually, trying to mask the emotions that are still running at an all time high.
She returns the smile, a silent promise in her eyes. “Anytime, Serena.” She hugs me tightly again and rubs my back before she lets go.
My phone beeps with a text from Jared, telling me that he’s greeting friends in the gym and to meet him in the lower parking lot. “As much as I would love to talk more about My Life as Serena, I have to go.”
Alli grabs my hand before I can fully turn away. “Please don’t be scared to be with him. Choose happiness, chica.”
I nod and smile with tightened lips. She’s right, I know she is. I just need time to think.
I head outside towards the lower lot by weaving through the crowded lobby. Once I make it outside, I can finally fucking breathe fresh air and not hairspray. I’m alone in my thoughts, walking downstairs from the upper parking lot.Why did Jared fucking park down here? There were plenty of empty spots in the upper lot for overflow parking.
My mind starts swirling with thoughts of Tyler. I can’t deny I like him more than I expected, the attraction between us, the undeniable chemistry, the way he always manages to release thousands and thousands of butterflies within me.The fact that he loves me.
I know I can’t avoid him forever, that at some point, I’ll need to face him and confront whatever lies between us. Lost in my thoughts, I continue down the stairs.
My heart skips a beat as I spot him leaning casually against his car, one leg crossed over the other. He looks so effortlessly cool, his gaze fixed somewhere in the distance, lost in thought. I’m frozen in place, unsure of what to do next.
“Hey. You did great out there,” Tyler says, peeling himself off his car and extending a bouquet of pink roses towards me. “I got these for you, pink roses, your favorite.”
“My favorite,” I say at the same time. I admire the bouquet for a few seconds, feeling a wave of nostalgia hitting me. “You remembered the story.”
“Of course, I did.” He replies warmly.
I let the bouquet hang by my side. “Thank you.” I smile as I hold my chin from quivering.
“Can we talk?” Tyler shoves his hands in his pockets, his expression serious.
“Sure.”
This is it. Do or die.
Neither of us rushes to speak, the silence stretching between us like a taut wire. Finally, I gather my courage and take the leap.
“Did you mean it?” I blurt out, my words tumbling out in a rush. “It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just-uhm, you know, when… when you said it, I was drunk and–”
Tyler meets my gaze steadily. “I meant every word.”
“Are you sure?”
“Hundred percent.”
I take a deep breath. “Tyler,” I begin, my voice barely above a whisper.
“You don’t believe me, do you?”
“It’s not that,” I reply, and I look up, struggling to articulate my thoughts. “I’ve shared so much about my past and my family with you, but there’s still so much you don’t know. How can you say you love me when you don’t knoweverything?”
