Eyes That Cannot Lie | Winrina

If You Mean It, I'll Give You A Chance

The following days passed in a blur of classes and hollow interactions. Karina threw herself into her studies and school activities, but her thoughts constantly drifted back to Winter. Every encounter felt strained, every attempt at conversation fell flat. It was as if they were two ships passing in the night, each anchored to their own past while longing for something more.

The project was looming over them like a dark cloud, but for Karina, it was more than just a school assignment. It was a lifeline, an opportunity to reconnect with Winter, even if it felt impossible. She spent late nights researching love and relationships, searching for insights that might resonate with Winter. She hoped that, perhaps, if she could show her how much she understood love, it might soften the walls Winter had built around her heart.

One afternoon, as she sat in the library, flipping through books on emotional intelligence, Karina's phone buzzed with a message from Giselle.

Giselle: How's it going with Winter?

Karina stared down at the screen, hesitant before responding.

Karina: It's rough. She's still angry, and I can't blame her. We just... we're not where we used to be.

Giselle replied almost immediately.

Giselle: You have to keep trying. Remember, you said you'd be patient. She won't just forgive you like nothing ever happened.

Karina: I know. I just wish she'd let me in. I hate feeling like I'm pushing her further away.

Karina put down her phone, feeling a mix of frustration and determination. She knew Giselle was right, she had to keep trying. But it was hard to see Winter so closed off, especially when every interaction felt like a reminder of what they could have been if Karina wouldn't have been such an idiot.

That evening, Karina walked home, the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. The beauty of the sunset tugged at her heart, reminding her of the moments she had shared with Winter stargazing on the in front of the convince store, quiet talks that stretched into the early hours, and the warmth of their laughter filling the air.

She made a decision. The next day, she would approach Winter with a different strategy. Instead of focusing solely on the project, she would try to connect on a deeper level—show Winter that she cared beyond academics. Maybe they could talk about their feelings, their past. It was a risk, but she felt it was the only way forward.
——
The next day, as they met in the café again, Karina's heart raced with anticipation. Winter was already seated at their usual table, her posture rigid, eyes cast downward as she fiddled with her phone. Taking a deep breath, Karina approached.

"Hey," she said softly, taking a seat across from Winter.

Winter looked up, her expression neutral but wary. "Hi."

Karina fumbled with her words for a moment, then steadied herself. "I know we're supposed to work on our project, but I was hoping we could talk about... everything else."

Winter's eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion evident. "What do you mean?"

"I mean... about us. About what happened." Karina's voice was steady, though her heart raced. "I don't want to pretend like everything is okay when it's clearly not."

Winter sighed, her shoulders drooping as she set her phone down. "Karina, I don't want to relive that. It's painful."

"I know it is. But I think we need to address it if we're going to move forward." Karina leaned in slightly, earnestness in her eyes. "I can't just keep pretending like I haven't hurt you. I need you to know that I'm truly sorry for what I did."

Winter's gaze softened just a fraction, but she remained guarded. "You keep saying you're sorry, but it doesn't change anything."

"No, it doesn't. But I want to understand. I want to know how you feel, what you think. I can't fix this if I don't know how you really feel." Karina's voice trembled slightly, vulnerability creeping in.

Winter's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but she didn't look away. "You really want to know?"

"More than anything," Karina replied, her heart pounding.

After a long pause, Winter finally nodded. "Fine. But it's not going to be easy."

Karina felt a rush of relief and hope. "I'm ready."

Winter took a deep breath, her expression shifting as she began to speak. "You hurt me, Karina. You crossed a line, and it shattered my trust in you. I thought we were building something real, and then you just... destroyed it."

Karina felt the weight of Winter's words, the truth striking her hard. "I know. I never intended to hurt you. I was selfish, and I didn't think about your feelings enough. I'm so sorry."

Winter's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "It's hard to look at you sometimes. It reminds me of what I lost... what we lost. I don't want to feel this way, but I can't just forget."

"I don't expect you to," Karina said, her voice low but firm. "But I want to show you that I've changed. That I can be someone you trust again."

Winter's expression softened slightly, though the hurt was still evident. "And what if I can't?"

"Then I'll keep trying," Karina said, conviction filling her voice. "I'll be here, no matter how long it takes. You mean too much to me to just walk away."

There was a silence between them, thick with unspoken feelings and memories. Finally, Winter spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "You really think you can fix this?"

"I want to," Karina replied, her eyes locking onto Winter's. "I want you to know I'm still here, and I care about you deeply. I'm not going to give up on us."

Winter held her gaze for a moment longer, and in that silence, something shifted. It was small, but Karina could feel it—like a crack in the armor Winter had built around her heart.

"Okay," Winter finally said, her voice steadying. "I'll give you a chance. But it's going to take time."

Karina felt a rush of hope flood through her. "That's all I ask. Just time to show you I can be better."

As they shifted the conversation back to the project, Karina couldn't help but feel a glimmer of optimism. They still had a long way to go, but for the first time in what felt like ages, there was a chance for healing. And as they talked, Karina made a silent promise to herself—she would do everything in her power to earn back Winter's trust, no matter if it meant waiting years.

If it was for Winter, it was worth it.