Forever ; W.S

25. bros and talks

IRL

Walker lay sprawled on his bed, the early evening light casting a warm glow over his room. The walls were covered with posters of his favorite bands and a few sports trophies from his school days, but right now, he barely noticed them. His mind was buzzing from the conversation he'd just had with Penelope. It was surreal how quickly things had changed, from the tension and distance between them to this new, tentative hope.

His phone buzzed, jolting him from his thoughts. It was a message from Brady, which was a welcome distraction.

Noon 🌆

Yo, you up for some Fortnite tonight?

Walker hesitated before typing back. He needed to talk through his feelings, and he wasn't sure if playing video games was the right way to do it, even though he knew it would be a good way to keep his mind off things.

Not tonight, man
Got a lot on my mind.

Brady was quick to reply, probably sensing that something was up.

Everything okay?
You seemed pretty amped when we talked earlier.

Walker sat up, running a hand through his hair. He decided to open up a bit. It felt good to get some support from his friends, especially after what had happened with Penelope.

Yeah, it's just...
I had this big talk with Penelope today.
We finally cleared the air about everything.

How'd it go?

Walker smiled at his phone, feeling a surge of relief just from sharing this with Brady.

It went really well.
We both admitted our feelings for each other.
It's a lot to process, but it's good, you know?
It feels like a huge weight's been lifted.

That's awesome, man! I'm really happy for you two. Sounds like you're finally on the same page.

Walker appreciated Brady's genuine enthusiasm. It was comforting to know his friends were rooting for him.

Yeah, it's a huge relief.
But now I'm just trying to figure out what to do next.
I know we need to take things slow, but I really want this to work.

Brady's reply was quick and supportive.

Of course, man.
It's good that you're taking it slow.
It's clear that you care a lot about her, and that's what matters.
You've been through a lot together, and working things out is a big step.

Walker sighed, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. "Yeah, I guess I just don't want to mess things up again," he said aloud, more to himself than to anyone else.

Brady's voice on the other end of the line was reassuring. "You've already taken the hardest step by being honest with each other. Just keep doing that, and you'll be fine. Sometimes it's just about making sure you're both on the same page and taking it one day at a time."

Walker nodded, even though Brady couldn't see him. "Thanks, man. I really appreciate the support. It means a lot."

After hanging up with Brady, Walker felt a little lighter. The conversation had helped him put things into perspective. He realized that while he had a lot of emotions to navigate, having Penelope back in his life was a significant step forward. He needed to focus on what he could do to make things work between them, rather than getting bogged down by fears of the future.

He picked up his phone again and sent Penelope a quick message.

Walker: Hey, just wanted to say I'm thinking about you. Can't wait to see where this goes.

He hesitated for a moment before hitting send, his heart racing slightly. It felt like a small but meaningful gesture, and he hoped it would be a reminder to Penelope of his commitment to making things right.

As he set his phone down, Walker stared at the ceiling, letting his thoughts drift. The future was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, he felt hopeful. He had a renewed sense of purpose, and he was ready to face whatever came next with Penelope by his side.

Walker's room, once a refuge from his chaotic thoughts, now felt like a place of new beginnings. He was determined to rebuild his connection with Penelope, taking things one step at a time. With his friends' support and his own commitment to making things work, he felt ready to embrace the future, whatever it might hold.

He got up from his bed, pacing around his room with a newfound energy. His mind raced with plans and possibilities, and he felt a sense of excitement about what was to come. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, but with Penelope in his life again, he felt that it would be worth every challenge.

Walker took a deep breath and sat back down, letting the calm settle over him. He knew that the journey ahead would require patience and understanding, but he was ready to face it head-on. With Penelope and his friends by his side, he felt confident that he could navigate the ups and downs of their renewed relationship and build something stronger than before.

authors note!

i have finished the whole book. i just need to edit and add instagram post to them. don't know when i can as im getting very busy. but hopefully all chapters will be out soon. there will also be a sequel to this so!!!