"It's like I'm running away from me,
it's like I've taken the puzzle in me
and left it scrambled for all to see."
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When Arden Danvers' parents split when she was eight years old, she moved away with her dad from her...
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"I would never fall in love again until I found her I said, "I would never fall unless it's you I fall into"."
Until I Found You - Stephen Sanchez
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XLI. \\ CHOICES //
"And then there's love. I've never experienced true love, but I want to. I think...I think it's out there. I think if I'm patient and if I believe I deserve it."
@ @ @
A week had passed and Arden found herself sitting on Brandon's roof, wrapped up in his arms as they looked forwards to the sky. The sun was just beginning to set, painting the sky in front of them burnt orange and warm pink. Arden sat in between Brandon's legs, her back resting against his chest. He had his arms wrapped around her, and he rested his chin on the top of her head, every once and a while pressing a kiss to her temple.
They would come hang out on the roof every so often, enjoying spending some time alone together and taking in the beauty of the sunset. After everything, it was nice to be reminded of the beauty in the world. Even after the sun set, they'd stay on the roof, talking and laughing and kissing into the late night hours.
Today was even more special, and Arden smiled softly, knowing that moment together was the right moment. She'd been waiting for a few days now to give something to Brandon. Ever since the moment she found out. And now, was the perfect time to do it.
So, Arden picked her head up off his chest, "I have something for you."
Brandon looked over at her curiously as she grabbed the small backpack she'd brought with her and started shuffling through it. And after a moment, she pulled out a small gift box, tied with a blue ribbon and handed it to him.
Brandon's eyebrows furrowed as he looked down at it, then asked curiously, "What is this?"
She offered him a soft smile, "I missed your birthday."
He frowned, "Arden, you didn't need to—"
"Yeah, I did." She nodded, "And this is...it's something I owe you."
Brandon looked at her in confusion for a couple more moments, not knowing what it could be. So he opened the box and inside it, was a folded up piece of paper. He set the box to the side and unfolded the paper, looking at it and seeing a police department logo stamped at the top.
He frowned, looking back up at her, "What's this?"
"It's a copy of the statement I made to the police the other day," She replied, "Telling them that I witnessed Lance Broadly plant the school bombing evidence on your computer and that he said he wanted to frame you. Rowan and Elisia also made statements saying the same thing."
Brandon's lips parted as her words settled over him, and realizing what they meant.
"The charges are being dropped," She told him, "The police said they would even notify the school that you were wrongly accused and have the expulsion be lifted. You can come back to Hilland. If that's what you want."
Brandon looked down at the paper in his hands, a smile growing on his face as he read over the paper. It was a mixture of disbelief and happiness.
"You do have choices, Brandon." She assured him, "You always do."
Brandon looked back up at her, his electric blue eyes reflecting some of the sun's light. The way he was looking at her made her heart do somersaults in her chest.
He leaned in kissed her softly and excitedly, letting her words sink in. He didn't have to go to military school....he could finish school at Hilland, he would get to go to classes with his friends...he would get to graduate with them and with the girl he was crazy about.
Arden smiled as she moved her lips against his, wishing she could live in this moment forever. But she also knew that now that everything with monkeyman and kingcobra and the zoo was over, they had a lifetime to have moments as perfect as this one.
Brandon whispered against her lips, "Arden, I..."
He drifted off, wanting to say the words. He wanted to say them so badly in that moment...but he was also a little scared. He was overwhelmed with everything he was feeling inside, everything he felt for the girl in front of him.
She looked up at him, "Hm?"
He tried to muster up the courage to say the words, but he couldn't seem to get them out. And after a few moments, he realized the moment for him to say it had passed. So instead, he just smiled softly.
"Thank you." Brandon breathed out appreciatively.
Arden smiled in return, and he leaned in, kissing her again. This time, softly, and in a way that let her know how grateful he was for what she had done for him. And as she kissed him back, he knew.
There was no doubt in his mind that he was in love with Arden.
Now he just had to find the courage and the right moment to say it.
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"I was lost within the darkness, but then I found her I found you."
