Chapter 92

Celeste

The leaves painted the town in hues of amber and gold, casting a warm glow over the familiar streets of campus I had walked down a thousand times before. The crisp air held a promise of change and I had a feeling that I knew what that change was.

As I strolled through the park, hands tucked into her hoodie pockets, I couldn't help but steal glances at the person beside me. Alyx, with his easy smile and sparkling eyes, had been a constant presence in my life for the past three months.

We did everything together—coffee dates, movie nights, and long walks through campus when we both had free periods. Of course, Fiona had been at the movie nights, too. Jack would have never let me go if it had just been Alyx.

I marveled at how Alyx had turned out to be such a sweet, dependable friend. He hadn’t made another move since the kiss in the stairwell. I felt like I could count on him for anything, from a shoulder to lean on to a listening ear in the late hours of the night. Usually after Jack had gone to bed.

Yet, there was a line I hadn’t wanted to cross yet, a question I hadn't dared to ask even myself. Could I let Alyx in, fully, and allow myself to move on from Matt? Alyx obviously had feelings for me. I didn’t think it would be fair to start something if I didn’t know my own feelings.

But I was really missing the connection I had with Matt. I hadn’t just lost the love part of our relationship, but I had lost the friendship part, too. And being with Alyx felt like that sometimes.

He was someone who made me laugh, who saw me for who I am, and who had a knack for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. He took care of me and never asked me for more than I was willing to give.

I was jarred out of my thoughts as Alyx nudged me gently with his elbow. "Lost in thought again?"

I chuckled softly, my breath forming misty clouds in the chilly air. "You could say that. Just... thinking about things."

Alyx's gaze held a depth of understanding. I knew he wasn’t going to pry. He would give me the space I needed to sort through my feelings. It was one of the many reasons I found myself drawn to him.

As we fell back into step, everything blurred around me as I continued to search my feelings. As the weeks had passed, I noticed that Jack had grown surprisingly silent on the matter of me and Alyx. While he had grumbled about it in the beginning, he hadn’t said much lately.

Perhaps he saw the happiness that Alyx brought into my life and just wanted me to be happy? I almost laughed out loud. I didn’t think that was it. He’d skin me alive if he knew I was even considering giving Alyx a chance. Still, his silence did seem hopeful.

I chewed on my bottom lip. It felt like I was standing on the precipice and if I took that leap of faith, everything would change. But change didn’t always have to be bad. ANd I didn’t want to grieve over Matt for the rest of my life.

I straightened my shoulders. I had decided. If Alyx asked me out on a proper date, I would say yes. We could always go behind Jack’s back. I was sure Fiona wouldn’t mind helping out in that case either. In fact, she would probably jump at the chance. She hadn’t been too happy with zombie me, either.

My steps felt lighter as we continued to walk around campus. It was like a huge weight had been taken off my shoulders. I hadn’t realized until that moment how much that unspoken question had been pressing on me.

As if sensing my resolve, Alyx stopped and turned toward me. "You know," he began softly, "I've treasured these last few months with you, Celeste. You've become such an important part of my life."

The sincerity in Alyx's voice was palpable, and I felt a warmth bloom within her. "You've become important to me too, Alyx. More than I can put into words."

Alyx stopped and turned to face me, his eyes holding a mixture of hope and vulnerability. "There's something I've been wanting to ask you, Celeste. And please, take all the time you need to think about it.”

My heartbeat spiked, sensing the gravity of the moment. Had he heard my thoughts? I could tell where this was going and I couldn’t believe how in tune Alyx was with me. But I should have known.

I finally nodded, encouraging Alyx to continue.

"Would you give us a chance? To be more than just friends?"

The question hung in the air, mingling with the cool breeze. My heart fluttered in my chest, caught between the echoes of the past and the promise of something new. In my mind’s eye, I could see two paths: one led to Matt and heartbreak. The other led to Alyx, the person who had been my anchor through it all.

As I gazed into Alyx's eyes, I saw the reflection of my own uncertainty. But I also saw the hope, the genuine affection, and the quiet strength that Alyx brought into my life.

Tears pricked my eyes as I took a deep breath, feeling the full weight of my decision. "Yes, Alyx. I want to give us a chance."

Alyx's face lit up with a radiant smile, and he reached for my hand, intertwining their fingers. I gave his hand a quick squeeze before pulling away. I knew it ruined the moment, but Jack still had spies everywhere. I couldn’t risk holding his hand just yet.

Alyx’s smile turned rueful. He knew why I had pulled away without me even explaining. He had heard me complaining about all of Jack’s restrictions almost non-stop for the past three months.

“Someday, we’ll be able to do that without having to worry about your brother. But until then, I’m just glad to have you by my side,” Alyx said and it felt like my heart was singing. He always knew the right words to say.

“I wouldn’t count on it,” I grumbled and he chuckled, brushing a piece of wayward hair out of my face. The gesture was so familiar, but now that we were in uncharted waters, it made me blush, my cheeks heating so intensely it was a wonder that my face wasn’t on fire.

“God, I love it when you do that,” Alyx whispered and somehow my face got even hotter. Nobody had ever talked to me like this. Not even Matt. He’d always thought I was Rose. Alyx was the first person who saw me and wanted me.

It was a heady feeling. I wanted to wrap it around me like a blanket. It was almost enough to suppress the feelings of guilt that were sprouting. I knew I wasn’t a hundred percent over Matt. I might never be, but I couldn’t let that control my life too. I wanted freedom. From Jack…and from my feelings for Matt.