Days had passed since that night.
Ash had kept to himself. Routine. Work. Home. Sleep. Repeat.
He hadn't spoken about what happened, not even to Rowan.
But Isadora remembered.
And she couldn't keep pretending it didn't happen.
———
The small park just across from their building was quiet at night. Streetlights buzzed faintly, casting soft gold against the cobblestones. A breeze moved the swings with a squeak.
Ash stood beside the bench, hands in his pockets.
Isadora was already waiting.
"I'm glad you came," she said softly, stopping in front of him.
Ash nodded once. "You said you needed to talk."
"I do," she said. Her voice wavered. "About that night."
Ash looked away.
"I'm sorry, Ash," she continued. "I was drunk, yeah, but… that wasn't the reason. I knew what I was doing. I just—I didn't want to hear you say no."
Ash didn't interrupt. He waited.
Isadora finally said the words she'd been holding in her chest.
"I like you."
Ash swallowed hard. The silence between them stretched.
She gave a weak smile. "I know I wasn't supposed to say that. Especially not after what happened the other night. But I needed you to hear it while I'm sober… and sure."
Ash's gaze lowered for a moment. His voice came quieter—soft, sincere.
"Isadora… you're kind. Smart. You've always been good to me. And I won't pretend this doesn't mean something to me."
He looked up, eyes earnest.
"But I don't want to hurt you with half-hearted words. I care about you, I do… but not in the way you want me to. And you deserve someone who does. Who says yes without hesitation."
Isadora blinked fast, biting the inside of her cheek. "I figured," she murmured, voice catching. "But I still had to try."
Ash stepped closer, his brows drawn slightly. "Thank you. Really. For being honest. And for… liking me. I don't know what you see in me, but… thank you anyway."
She gave a shaky laugh. "Don't say that. You're easy to like, Ash. That's the problem."
Ash's lips parted like he wanted to say more—but there was nothing that would make it easier.
So she beat him to it.
"Can I ask one last thing?" she said. "Before I say something dumb I'll regret?"
Ash hesitated. "Anything."
She forced a smile. "Just… turn around. Walk away. If you don't, I might not let go."
Ash didn't move. "Isadora, it's already dark. I can't just leave you here."
"You again with that," she whispered, half-laughing. "You always say things like that. Like I matter. And that's what makes it harder."
He opened his mouth again—but she stopped him with a hand over her chest.
"I'll be fine. I promise. Just… please go. Don't look back."
Ash stayed still for a beat longer, eyes lingering on her face—reading every crack she tried to hide.
Then finally, reluctantly, he nodded.
"…Okay."
And walked.
She stood there until he was gone.
And only then—only when the silence returned—
Did she sit down on the bench and cry.
———
Outside the apartment building, Ash paused by the gate.
He tilted his head up toward the sky. The stars were dim, but visible—cold, distant, unmoved.
He took a long breath in. Closed his eyes.
Exhaled.
Opened them again.
That's when he saw her.
Celeste.
Just stepping out of a car.
"Thanks for dropping me off," she said, leaning toward the window.
Liam leaned from the driver's seat with a grin. "Anytime. And thanks again for saying yes."
Celeste rolled her eyes, smiling. "Yeah, yeah. Don't get used to it."
"Mean," Liam pouted.
"Okay, go now," she said, waving her hand like she was shooing away a bug.
"Alright, alright. See you at school!"
He drove off.
Celeste turned—
And saw him.
Ash, standing not too far away. Still. Silent.
Their eyes locked.
Celeste blinked, surprised. Then quickly smiled like it was nothing. "Oh—hey," she said, voice slightly too casual. She lifted one hand in an awkward wave.
Wow. That sounded so awkward, she thought.
Ash lifted his hand back.
Didn't say anything.
"I'll, uh… I'll head in now," she said, jerking her thumb toward the entrance.
She didn't wait for his response.
She walked past him, pretending not to notice how quiet the air was.
Ash stayed where he was, unmoving.
His hands clenched in his pockets.
He wanted to follow. To say something.
But he didn't.
He missed her so damn much.
And somehow, that made his feet even heavier.
——