•ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ʏᴏᴜ• ᴍᴀᴛᴛ ꜱᴛᴜʀɴɪᴏʟᴏ

••ᴇɪɢʜᴛ••

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Song recs: Halleys Comet- Billie Eilish

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•Time skip to end of March•

•Angelines POV•

The triplets were gearing up to head back to LA for a month, and I was preparing for my own return in mid-April. This time, I'd be spending two weeks in LA for writing camps and studio time. My excitement was clouded with the stress of packing up everything I'd need for another trip and juggling my schedule.

One evening, as I sat at my desk, I decided to FaceTime Eli. We'd been talking non-stop since I got back, and our conversations had become a comforting part of my daily routine. I clicked on his name, and within seconds, his face appeared on the screen, his green eyes twinkling with his usual mischievous charm.

"Hey, stranger," he greeted, his smile infectious.

"Hey, Eli," I said, returning his smile. "How's it going?"

"Busy, as usual," he replied. "But I've been looking forward to hearing from you. How's Boston treating you?"

I laughed. "It's been hectic. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to fit everything I need for LA into my suitcase. It's like I'm packing for a month-long vacation every time."

Eli chuckled. "You know, I was thinking—if it's this much of a hassle, why not consider moving to LA permanently?"

The suggestion caught me off guard. "Permanently? I mean, it's definitely something I've thought about. But there's so much to consider. I'd need to talk it over with my mom and friends and find an apartment."

Eli's face lit up with a grin. "Well, if you decide to take the plunge, I'd be happy to help you look for apartments when you're down here. You can check them out and decide if LA is the right fit for you."

I smiled, touched by his offer. "That sounds amazing. Thanks, Eli. I'll definitely keep that in mind."

He tilted his head slightly, his curiosity piqued. "So, you mentioned you'd be meeting up with some friends. Who are they?"

I took a deep breath. "Nick and Chris Sturniolo. They're part of the triplets I mentioned. I've known them for a while, and they're really great."

Eli's eyes widened a bit. "Oh, I know who they are. I've seen them on social media. But why am I only meeting two of them?"

I hesitated, the familiar ache of Matt's name tightening in my chest. "Well, Matt and I were together for a while, but we broke up almost four months ago. Things ended badly, and the last time I saw him, we had a pretty huge argument."

I could feel the tears welling up, but I fought to keep them at bay. Talking about Matt was still raw, and the pain lingered close to the surface.

Eli's expression softened with sympathy. "Angeline, I'm really sorry. Breakups are never easy. But remember, there's so much more waiting for you out there. One breakup doesn't define your entire future."

His words were soothing, a balm for my wounded heart. "It's hard sometimes, you know? I thought Matt was the one, and now... I'm just trying to find my way."

Eli nodded, his voice gentle and reassuring. "I get it. It takes time to heal, and it's okay to feel hurt. But you have to believe that there's more ahead. It might not seem like it now, but you're going to find happiness again. It's just a matter of time."

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words lift some of the burden off my shoulders. "Thanks, Eli. That means a lot. It's just been a tough adjustment. I thought my whole life was planned out with Matt."

"I can imagine," Eli said softly. "But sometimes, life takes unexpected turns for a reason. And you're stronger than you know. You're already doing so much to move forward."

As we continued talking, I began to feel lighter, more hopeful. The conversation had brought me a sense of comfort that I hadn't realized I needed so desperately. By the end of our call, I felt a renewed sense of optimism about my future.

After we said our goodbyes, I lay on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. Eli's words echoed in my mind, and I found myself thinking about him more and more. It was strange, but there was something about our conversations that made me feel good—something that went beyond just friendship.

I knew I was still healing, and diving into another relationship wasn't something I was ready for just yet. But the idea of being with someone who made me feel the way Eli did was becoming more appealing. It was a confusing mix of emotions, but I was beginning to accept that maybe it was okay to start moving on, even if it was just a small step at a time.

The thought of a future with Eli made me anxious and excited at the same time. I had pictured my life with Matt for so long, and now adjusting to the possibility of a different path was daunting. But as I considered my feelings for Eli, I realized that it was okay to explore these new emotions. I didn't have to rush into anything, but I could allow myself to like someone new without feeling guilty.

I closed my eyes, taking in the quiet of my room. The road ahead was still uncertain, but I felt a glimmer of hope that maybe things would turn out okay. It was time to embrace this new chapter, and though it was scary, it also held the promise of new beginnings.

As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of Eli and the possibility of what might come next. The future was still a mystery, but I was ready to face it—one step at a time.

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I write: Sorry this was a shorter chapter. But that's why I posted twice! I have an idea for the next chapter and didn't want to go into it in this one cause then it would have been way too long... Anyways hope you enjoyed!! As always feel free to leave your thoughts down below!