Luke's pov:

As I pulled into the parking lot of the supermarket, I only had one thing replaying over and over in my head.

I punched my best friend because of her.

I punched f*cking Zander because of Ella.

Why? Because I couldn't stand the idea of her with another guy.

I couldn't stand the idea of her being happy with him.

I couldn't stand the fact..... of her telling him that she loves him.

Why?

Why!

"You're not alone Ella. I promise you, I won't ever let you be alone again."

It hurt.

It hurt to know that I broke this promise.

I told her that I would never leave her, but I did the exact opposite.

I left her.

I ignored her.

I did what any shitty person would do, I lied to her.

I lied that I would always be there, right next to her.

But here I am, a week after leaving her alone in the park.

I don't even understand why I did that.

I don't understand why it was hard for me to call her my friend in the park.

I don't understand why it was hard for me to call Fawn my girlfriend.

I don't understand why I think of Ella every single waking moment.

But every time Ella would try to hangout with me the past week, I couldn't.

I couldn't bring it in me to see her.

Suddenly, a sound of a knock throws me out of my thoughts, I look over to see...

Is that...

"Samantha?" I say in complete shock as she stares at me through the window.

She points at the empty seat, and without thinking, I nod my head.

She opens the door and sits down.

"We need to talk." Is all she says.

But I just shake my head, "Samantha, it's not the time..."

"No, it is Luke." She says as she sets down her purse from her lap and puts it on the floor.

There was a long pause from her as she takes a deep breath, "I know what happened."

But I only give her a confused look, "What are you talking about?"

"Luke, I know what you did, you and that girl."

"Ella?"

"No, Fawn." She says, and my heart sinks.

I look forward, not meeting her eye, "What about her?"

I was pissed off.

First she comes back into my life, pretending like she didn't stab my heart a thousand times, and now she wants to know all about my personal life?

"Luke, I'm sorry, I'm sorry that I lied to you, used you-..."

"Where are you going with this?"

"Because... maybe it was me who caused this."

"Caused what?"

"Luke, you are afraid." Samantha's words shock me as I turn my head towards her.

"What do you mean, I am afraid?" I say, more bitterly.

She comes into my car, brings up my personal life, talks about what happens in the past, and now declares that I am afraid?

She plays with her fingers in her seat, as she tries to keep a steady eye on me.

"Luke... I think I made you... afraid of love."

But at this, I only let out a sarcastic laugh as I shake my head at her.

"Afraid of love? Is that even a thing?" I say leaning back on the seat, finding this whole ideal now amusing.

But she only shakes her head, "Tell me this, have you loved anyone... since me?" She asks.

I pause, "Yeah, I have dated a couple girls-..."

"No Luke, have you ever... said 'I love you' to any of them?" She asks hesitantly.

I must have... right?

But I couldn't help but think of anytime that I told someone I loved them.

I haven't even thought about it with any girl.

And if I would have said it...

It probably would have been with...

"Holy f*ckin shit." I say out loud as my eyes widen.

"I assume that you did not think of Fawn when you said that."

"I...no." I say astonished.

When I think of love, I don't think of Fawn....

I think of Ella.

"Luke, let me ask you this, why did you start dating Fawn?"

"Because she liked me-..."

"That's not the reason." Samantha says, she had a calm aura, but I knew she was trying to get something of me.

The truth.

She was trying to get me to admit the truth... to myself.

In that moment, it was hard to breath.

"Because it was the day.... after I almost kissed Ella." I say, my voice hoarse, and somewhat shaky.

Samantha doesn't say anything as she turns towards me, "Luke, you started dating Fawn... because you were afraid that Ella wouldn't love you back. That she would only see you as a friend."

Deep down... I knew she was right.

And I hated to admit it.

I was afraid that I would fall in love with Ella... and she would just see me....

As the person she crashed into.

The person who's life is just as messed up as hers.

The person who was able to help her.

The person who let her into my life.

And... the person who was just a friend.

"I messed up." Is all I can find myself to say as I shove my head between my hands.

Because of my dumbass, I didn't even give myself a chance... to admit my feelings towards Ella.

I ran away like a coward, who was afraid to relive his past.

And now... maybe that won't even happen because the girl I think about when I think of love...

Probably hates my guts.

Not probably, most likely.

"Luke, go to her, don't mess up... like I did." Samantha says as she grabs her purse from the floor of the car.

She opens the passenger seat, but not before I stop her.

"Samantha."

"Yes?" She says, turning around one last time, her blonde hair falling to her shoulder.

"Thank you."

She smiles, "No Luke, thank you."

I only tilt my head, "For what?"

But she just looks down, "You'll figure it out... sometime." And with that, she closes the door, leaving to who knows where.

But I knew where I was going.

Well, I had to make a small pit stop.

I am doing what I should have done a long time ago, letting go of the easy way out.

I am letting go of Fawn, so I can chase after Ella.

The girl who I won't be afraid to catch.