Chapter 5: Rewrite Our Ending

He stopped in front of me. I still hadn’t come back to myself when he pulled out an umbrella from who knows where, sounding helpless. “Why are you just standing there? If you get heatstroke, I’ll have to carry you back again. Come on, let’s get something to eat.”

He said it so naturally, like nothing had happened that night. Like we were still us.

I snapped out of it, said goodbye to Marissa, and quietly followed him. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his ears turning red. That had to mean something, right?

My heart skipped—maybe, just maybe, he’d accepted it?

I got excited, carefully reaching out to cover his hand on the umbrella handle. I held my breath, waiting.

He didn’t let go, but his whole body tensed. My hopes crashed.

Seeing that, I couldn’t hide my disappointment. I guess I’d imagined it all.

Guess I was wrong—maybe he really did think I was just drunk that night. Maybe it meant nothing to him.

I pulled my hand back, but the next second, he walked out into the sunlight. What was he doing?

I blinked at him.

I turned to see him standing there, looking confused, like a puppy waiting for its owner. “Why’d you let go?”

Me: “You want me to hold on?”

He strode over, grabbed my hand with his free one, and looked straight ahead. His face turned visibly red, but he nodded, trying to act cool. “Yeah, I thought it over for a few days. I decided I can’t let someone else swoop in and steal the girl I’ve been looking out for all these years. That’d be a huge loss.”

*Thump. Thump.*

There were no words for how happy I felt in that moment. My heart was pounding so loud it hurt.

I couldn’t help myself—I grabbed his collar, made him lower his head, and kissed him. I didn’t care who saw.

His heartbeat was even faster than mine. I could feel it against my chest.

We were finally together. For real this time.

I never thought this would happen in my life. It felt like a miracle.

But once we got together, nothing really changed. He still did everything he used to—picking me up after class, bringing me water and an umbrella, giving me treats. The little things.

The only difference was, sometimes he’d kiss or hug me when we said goodbye. And every time, my heart would race.

*But that was it—nothing more.*

If I were still twenty, I might’ve been shy and satisfied, but my soul was already twenty-six. I wanted more.

Just kissing and hugging wasn’t enough. Not anymore.

I waited patiently for a long time, but when nothing happened, I had to make the first move. *Typical.*

During the summer before our junior year, we went on a trip together. He’d planned everything perfectly, packed all the essentials. He was always so thoughtful.

“Tomorrow we’ll get up early to visit the church, then have lunch, and go to the museum in the afternoon.” He sat on the hotel sofa, seriously planning out our schedule.

I stared at his lips, then let my eyes drift lower, asking out of nowhere, “Oh, then, big brother, can I touch your abs?”

“Of course—huh?” He agreed without thinking, then froze. His face turned bright red.

It was so hot when we got to the hotel that he’d already showered. He looked good. Really good.

I sat on his lap and ran my hands over his abs. I couldn’t help myself.

He was an athlete, always working out, with an amazing body. I traced the lines with my fingers.

The more I looked, the more I liked it. I wanted him. Badly.

He was burning up, trying to set me down, his voice hoarse. “Don’t mess around. You’re still young.”

I pushed him down and kissed him. “Not that young. Why don’t you find out?”

He struggled, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I didn’t bring… you know…”

“I did.”

*….*

A summer storm raged outside late into the night. The world outside faded away.

I curled up in his arms, feeling like I was dreaming. I never wanted to wake up.

The college I never got into, the person I never got to be with—this time, I had them both. I felt like the luckiest person alive.

Suddenly, I was afraid it was all just a dream. Please, let it be real.

But then he hugged me tighter. “When we get back, let’s get engaged. After graduation, let’s get married.”

I snapped out of it and shook my head. “But I want to go to grad school. Let’s wait three more years for marriage, okay?”

I loved him, but I couldn’t let go of my studies. I wanted both.

This time, I wanted us to become better together. Not just for him—this was for me, too.

He suddenly got anxious. “Which grad school are you applying to? You can’t keep it from me again! I’ll be really mad!”

He sat up, staring at me, his voice full of lingering fear and hope—afraid we’d be separated again, but glad we’d ended up together. I couldn’t help but smile.

*I laughed out loud.*

*A jealous puppy—who could resist?*

I wrapped my arms around his neck and teased, “Not telling. Didn’t you say you’d deal with me later? I’ve been waiting forever.”

He paused, his eyes darkening. “Tomorrow’s plans are canceled!”

*The End*