PRESENT DAY – BACK IN TIME
Tears welled in my eyes as the memory of that perfect day resurfaced—Jared on one knee, the sea roaring behind us, the air filled with red petals and promises of forever.
"Serena, are you okay?" Jared's voice snapped me back to the present.
"No, Jared. I'm not okay. In fact, nothing has been okay for a long time!" I shouted, my voice trembling with emotion. "You promised to love me till the end of time, and yet—you cheated on me. I didn't even ask for an explanation. I just walked away and never looked back. And now you show up, thinking you can just walk back in like nothing happened?"
"Serena, please listen. I had my reasons—" he began, stepping forward.
"No!" I cut him off, tears streaming freely down my cheeks. "Nothing justifies betrayal."
"Listen to me!" Jared's voice cracked as he grabbed my arms, too tightly.
"I said no!" I pulled myself out of his grip. "You cheated, and that's the end of it."
"I didn't!" he shouted, the desperation in his voice sending a jolt through me.
"Enough, Jared. Don't try to twist the story now." I turned to walk away.
But he caught my wrist and pulled me close, pressing my hand against his chest. "Please. Just hear me out. Please!"
His eyes were wet. Really wet. For a moment, I couldn't breathe. My hand stayed against his chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat match mine.
"Jared…" I whispered, just as I spotted someone jogging nearby. "Wait—isn't that Julia?"
"Yeah. Biggest gossip in the entire school," he muttered.
"If she sees us like this…" I panicked.
"I don't care," Jared said firmly, brushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "I don't care about rumors anymore, Serena. Or anyone. I've already spent years suffocating without you."
"Jared, stop." I stepped back. "We'll talk. But not here—not now. Even Sir Joseph is here," I added, glancing nervously at his uncle, who stood across the park.
He nodded and handed me the bouquet. "Okay. But promise me you'll let me explain everything. Please. Just… don't hate me."
He pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek, and we both quickly slipped out of sight.
My heart pounded in my chest as I clutched the red roses. "Damn it," I whispered under my breath and tucked the bouquet into my bag before heading toward Alan's house.
ALAN'S BACKYARD
'Alan, I'm in your backyard. Would you mind coming down?' I texted.
His reply came within seconds. 'Sure.'
"Hey, Serena! All good?" Alan appeared in blue boxer shorts, holding a t-shirt in his hand.
My breath caught for a split second. Greek god. He noticed my flustered expression and misread it as discomfort.
"Serena, what's wrong? Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, yeah!" I replied quickly, faking cheer. "Don't panic. I just came to say thank you."
He tilted his head. "Thank you? For what?"
"For everything—coming here from Portugal… and just being around," I said, pulling a box of chocolates from my bag.
"You didn't have to," he smiled.
"Actually, I did. It's the least I could do."
He took the box, but his smile faltered a bit. "I should be the one saying sorry."
I looked up, confused. "Sorry? Why?"
"I couldn't save Uncle Benjamin. I…" He trailed off, guilt darkening his features.
"It wasn't your fault," I said gently. My gaze dropped, my heart aching at the mention of Uncle Benjamin.
Alan reached out, his hand brushing mine. "I'm sorry for your loss, Serena."
I nodded, grateful for his kindness. Then, trying to lighten the mood, he teased, "Honestly, when you said you brought me something, I thought those red roses were for me."
I laughed. "And why would I give you red roses?"
"You know, I'm hot, charming… half the college is in love with me."
"Oh please," I rolled my eyes. "I'm not like those other girls."
"I wish you were," he said under his breath.
"What?" I asked, clearly hearing him.
"Nothing." He quickly looked away, running his hand through his hair awkwardly.
That's when the voice I dreaded most echoed behind me. "Miss Hamsler, what a pleasant surprise."
Oh no. Not him. Not now.
I turned around and forced a polite smile. "Hello, Professor Hernandez."
I could feel every god in existence ignoring my prayers. Please, Lord, Buddha, Allah, Universe… Krishna, Shiva, Jesus (including all)… I swear I believe in you. Just help me now.
"What brings you here? Visiting my dear nephew or… me, perhaps?" His words dripped with sarcasm.
Alan jumped in. "Uncle, I had called Serena over for something important."
"Something important. Like chocolates?" he raised an eyebrow, glancing at the box Alan still held.
"Yes," I said quickly. "He helped me earlier, and I wanted to thank him."
The professor's eyes narrowed. "So he was with you last night?"
Both Alan and I froze.
"I saw you sneaking into the house. I always thought Alan was a good boy. And you, Serena... well, what can I even say?"
My fists clenched, but I said nothing. His tone stung, but I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of reacting.
"Wrap this up and meet me in my study, Alan," he said coldly, turning to leave. "We have some serious things to discuss."
As soon as he was gone, I turned to Alan. "I'm so sorry."
He gave me a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I've got this."
"Take care," I whispered, genuinely concerned.
"You too."
As I started walking away, he called out, "Hey! Who gave you those red roses? Your boyfriend?"
I froze. "Oh, those? No, they're for my grandmother. It's her birthday today," I lied smoothly.
"Nice. But, um… is it just me or did you also feel some chemistry between us?"
He immediately regretted saying it, judging by the panic in his expression.
"Um… what?" I raised an eyebrow, pretending not to hear him clearly.
"Nothing," he mumbled.
And just like that, we both walked away, hearts filled with unanswered questions, quiet longings, and the mess we'd each tried so hard to avoid.