I smiled faintly. He saw it. I could feel him watching me out of the corner of his eye—carefully, like I was made of something fragile and worth protecting. He shifted slightly, then turned to me fully, voice lower now. "I know that was hard. You don't have to explain anything. But I'm really glad you came out here."
I swallowed, my throat thick. "I didn't want to be alone."
"You're not," he said, without hesitation. "Not tonight. Not any night, if I can help it."
I looked at him then, really looked—at the way his hair curled over his forehead, at the way his fingers fidgeted with the edge of the iPad case, at the soft nervous energy that always seemed to live beneath his calm.
He smiled, a little dazed, like he was standing on the edge of a dream he hadn't quite dared to believe in.
"I was going to give this whole... speech," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. His voice was low, shy, the words tumbling over each other. "Something about stars, and journeys, and, um... destinations that feel a lot less lonely when you have the right person beside you."
He laughed under his breath, the sound almost apologetic. "But maybe that's a bit much for just... suggesting that, you know, there's this place. Past the old observatory. No lights, no noise. Just the sky."
He glanced sideways at me, cheeks tinged pink. "I've got a telescope. Snacks. Maybe a dumb playlist called 'Celestial Bops.' You know... in case someone wanted to escape the world for a little while."
I blinked at him, heart fluttering. "Liam," I said, trying not to smile too much, "are you asking me on a stargazing date?"
He froze, like he hadn't realized he was being quite that obvious, then laughed, soft and breathless. "Only if you want it to be," he said, voice suddenly tender. "But, yeah... I was kind of hoping you'd say yes."
The laugh that rose in my chest felt like it had been waiting there for a long time—quiet, bright, a little fragile, but real.
I stepped closer, my voice gentle. "It's a yes."
Liam's smile bloomed, slow and golden, like he was unfolding with the morning light.
"Yeah?" he whispered, the word like a promise.
"Yeah," I whispered back.
He smiled,slow and sure. "Looks like the stars finally lined up for me."
Chapter Nineteen: Stars and First Kisses
Weeks had passed since Aaron's departure, yet the weight of our last encounter lingered in the quiet spaces of my mind. Life, however, has a way of moving forward, even when the heart struggles to keep pace.
One afternoon, as sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room, Dad approached me. In his hands, he held a small box and an envelope, their presence both unexpected and heavy with meaning.
"Aaron left these with me before he left," he said gently. "He asked me to give them to you when I thought the time was right." My heart skipped a beat. I took the items from him, my fingers trembling slightly.
"Whatever you choose to do, I'm on your side. Always."
"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
I opened the envelope first. Inside was a card, Aaron's handwriting unmistakable.
June,
I don't know if words can still reach you.
But if they can, let these be softer than the ones I once used to hurt you.
I'm sorry.
Not the kind of sorry that fades when it's convenient, or waits for forgiveness like a prize.
I mean the kind that lives in my bones now— The kind that wakes me up in the quiet hours
and reminds me what I lost when I forgot how to hold something good.
