[Nea's POV]

Everything seems too good to be true this past week. My relationship with Adam is also growing, we learn new things about each other most of the time. Yesterday, we spent time together relaxing, reading books. That's one of my kind of romantic, I mean everyone has their own types of romantic situations, so am I, the forever dreamer single girl. I didn't remember when did I fall asleep in his arm, and he didn't seem to mind about it when I woke up in full blush to what happened.

The day before that, we're hanging out with all of the guys, Leia, Sara, Bella, and Fay. We spent the whole day ice skating, bowling, and other active activities. They sure have a lot of energy apart from me.

Christmas is coming in a few days and I am now in a mall, trying to find presents. Sara and Leia literally dragged me out of the house and from Adam, who's now probably hanging out with his friends.

"You guys need a break. You've been sticking to each other since the day you got sick, Nea." Leia blabbers while walking down the mall. I know what she meant, but I feel comfortable and safe around Adam.

"They are just trying to get to know each other, like you and Alex before, no offense Lei, but you guys sticks to each other way worse than Adam and Nea." Sara put her hands up when Leia gives a cold stare. I chuckle a bit while walking with them, they feel like my sisters by now, bickering by the minute and laugh by another.

After almost two hours walking from one store to another my energy drained, but they don't seem to feel tired yet. I informed them that I decided to take a break by going to the Baskin Robins, chilling while having a cup of cookies and cream, one of my favorites.

As I am scrolling my phone, someone sits in front of me making me yelp in surprise. My eyes widen at Luke who's not smiling as usual. He's not a grumpy person and he's one of the people that would smile always like he doesn't have any problem in this world at all.

He put both hands on the table that is between us and he leans forward. Stubbles clearly shows on his jawline, his hair a bit messy and his eye bag a bit darker. He gulped down air, making his Adam's apple moving up and down as if he's trying to say something, but he didn't so I decided to start talking.

"Hey, Luke. How are you?" My voice sounds a bit off, as I was nervous if he decides to do something to me here, not that I didn't know that he would never hurt me but the memories of the things that happens at Sam's flashed through my mind.

"Clearly not good." He made a gesture to his appearance.

I sigh a bit, "What's wrong?"

"Are you really his girlfriend? Or it's like he said, that you're his p... partner." Luke finds my eyes, trying to find the truth.

"Neither to be exact. We umm, I don't know what to say, but he and I are not in that kind of relationship that is clearly wrong."

Luke plop to his back seat, sighing while running his hand through his dark brown hair, "Then what the heck are you guys? It's him that found you and take you home that day when we met isn't?"

I played with the spoon and cup that got a little bit of ice cream left. "Why do you want to know Luke, you've never cared before. What has changed?"

"Who said I never cared? I always and will forever care about you." Luke leans against the table, this time grasping my hands with his.

I slowly freed my hands from his grasps and put it on my lap, "No you don't, if not you won't leave me without telling and.. you know what forget it." I struggle to keep it in, the things that I have been keeping these past two years.

I stand up and about to walk away before Luke pulls me by the waist, turning me over to him.

"What are you saying? Me leaving you without telling? I did, I thought I did.. I" Luke tried to remember something, but he didn't let go of my arms that he holds.

"It didn't matter now. It's all in the past anyway." I push his hands down slowly and walk away, this time faster, towards the mall balcony since I don't want to be stared at like I'm in some sort of a drama.

Luke runs after me and he stops me again as he pushes me by the wall so that I can't push him or run away again.

"What the hell Nea. What changes you so much?" Luke finds my eyes as he's trying to dig in my mind.

"I didn't change. If you didn't remember, I'm still introverted, no friends and a forever alone girl I am before." I look behind him, not wanting to find his eyes since he will eventually see that I'm hurt.

"Oh yeah? You are hanging out with Clark and his friends, the hot gang cliques in Crestshaw, like it's the most natural thing, laughing with them. Is that what you called you didn't change? Oh hell yes, you changed."

I am now angry as I push him in the chest, hard, making him startled by my rough action "What is wrong with me hanging out with them?? Why? Because I'm a nobody with zero friends, even you who's my childhood friend didn't talk to me at school? I didn't even worth it to be hanging out with them, is that what you are trying to say?" Tears started to pool in my eyes, never did I know that I've been hurting about this topic for a long time.

Luke is shocked as he stuttering trying to calm me down, "No, Aryn I didn't mean that. You know I'm trying to protect you at school from... "

"No, Luke Carter. You aren't protecting me at all. Although I did say that I understand before, the truth is I don't. Just admit that you're ashamed of me because that is the truth." I try to go back inside but Luke stopped me again with his big body.

My phone rings, but I don't feel like picking it up so I let it be. Luke is still trying to talk, but I cut him off.

"I don't want to remember anything about high school, but one thing for sure, you left me when I needed you the most two years ago. I beg you when I don't actually beg, but you just left Luke. So it's clear to me that you didn't care about me." My tears start to roll down my cheek, it happens every time I try to talk about it.

"No no no Aryn, it's a misunderstanding." Luke tries to hug me, but I stopped him in his track, "Don't touch me. I belong to someone else now".

Luke froze at my words, "What do you mean?" His voice cracks.

"She's my wife." Adam's voice startled both of us, as he's standing by the end of the corridor through another door. Adam walks towards us and he slips his hand by my waist, making Luke eyes widen at his action and I didn't try to push Adam away. I saw the guys, Sara and Leia behind the glass windows watching us.

"Is this true Aryn?" Luke's voice cracks again as he looks at me and I nod slowly. Luke's face looks defeated and I didn't like it when he looks like that as I unknowingly make a step forward to Luke, Adam pulls me back in an instant.

I look at Adam's eyes and he shakes his head. "Stay away from her from now on, Carter".

I try to let Adam's hold loose as we both walk away because Luke looks like he can do anything stupid in any second. Adam holds his grip tight, "Adam, please let me talk to him for a while". Adam shakes his head profusely, but I try to make him understand "Adam, it won't be long. Please!".

I saw Luke sit on the ground with his face buried in his hands. Adam suddenly let his hands free and he walks out of the door, without looking at me he says "5 minutes."

I run to Luke and I sit in front of him, "Luke, listen. I'm not angry nor did I hate you. You're still my friend and forever will be. I hope you can be happy and forget things in the past. Don't linger around it anymore. If you're happy, I'm happy too."

Luke looks up to see me "I love you, Aryn, always.". His words choked me inside, I've always wanted to hear those words from him until two years ago but no one can turn back times.

I look at him with teary eyes, "I was too. Be happy Luke. I hope we are still friends." I stand up and walk away from him.

As I walk inside the mall, I look at Adam, who is playing with his feet, waiting for me. He held his hand out at me while looking at my teary eyes. I can't hold my tears anymore as I intertwine my hand to his as I quickly hug him. He hugs me back and I can feel his warm radiates to mine as he says, "You did your best."

I nod to his words as I say back to him "Thank you for believing me." He strokes my hair as he calms me down in his warm hugs. Somehow, I feel calmer and at peace in his arm and my heart race frantically but I like it.

I'm glad I found you.

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