Unconditionally

The Star

Stella's POV

The cool evening breeze kissed my skin as Arnold and I strolled down the quiet Sydney beach. The scent of saltwater filled the air, and the soft, rhythmic crashing of the waves was soothing, creating the perfect backdrop for the night. After everything that had happened at the hospital, I needed this—something normal, something peaceful. Yet, nothing about being around Arnold ever felt truly "normal." It was always electric, like there was some unspoken connection between us, one that was growing stronger with each passing day.

I snuck a glance at him as we walked side by side, our hands brushing occasionally. He was quiet, but not in a distant way. He was just present, and that felt comforting. Arnold had become this constant in my life, someone who saw past all the masks I wore as a dancer. He saw the real me, the one who struggled with self-doubt and insecurities, and he never judged me for it.

We reached a quiet spot on the beach, and I spread out the towel I had brought, patting the space next to me. Arnold sat down, stretching his long legs out in front of him, and I could feel his body heat even though we weren't touching. It was nice, being out here with him, under the stars. For a brief moment, everything felt easy, like we could leave the rest of the world behind.

My eyes drifted up to the sky, where countless stars twinkled brightly. They were breathtaking, a reminder that the universe was so much bigger than all our problems. But as peaceful as the stars were, my thoughts kept circling back to the hospital, to how close I had come to losing control again. How close I had come to losing myself.

"You okay?" Arnold's deep voice broke the silence, his tone soft and filled with concern. He leaned closer, his eyes searching my face.

"Yeah," I murmured, offering him a small smile. "I think I'm starting to be."

It wasn't a lie. With each passing day, I was learning to accept the help I needed. Allison had been right—I couldn't keep hiding my struggles. Therapy had started, and even though it was hard, it felt like a step in the right direction.

But Arnold... Arnold made it easier. He had been there when I needed him most, supporting me through it all. I could still remember the look on his face when I fainted, the way his concern had been so raw and real. It was like he cared more about me than I cared about myself.

We sat in silence for a while, the quiet stretching between us, but it wasn't uncomfortable. If anything, it felt intimate, like words weren't even necessary. Then, in the distance, fireworks suddenly lit up the night sky, painting it with bright bursts of color. My lips curled into a smile as I watched the display, the vibrant explosions reflecting in the ocean below.

"That's beautiful," I whispered, my eyes fixed on the sky, mesmerized by the fleeting beauty of the fireworks.

But when I turned to glance at Arnold, I realized he wasn't watching the fireworks at all. He was watching me.

"Yeah," he said softly, his gaze steady. "It is."

My heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe. The intensity in his eyes was undeniable, like he was seeing me in a way no one else ever had. My pulse quickened as the weight of the moment settled between us, and suddenly, the space between us felt like it was shrinking.

Arnold leaned in slowly, his hand brushing against mine as the world seemed to fade away. I could feel the heat of his breath on my skin, and my heart pounded so loudly in my chest I was sure he could hear it. His face was so close now, his eyes flicking down to my lips, and my breath hitched.

This was it. He was going to kiss me.

But then, like a scene out of some cliché movie, Jordan's booming voice echoed down the beach, shattering the moment.

"Arnold! There you are, man!"

I jerked back, my cheeks flushing as Arnold groaned, his face falling into his hands in frustration. I couldn't help but let out a laugh, though it was more out of embarrassment than amusement. Of course, Jordan and Enzo had to show up right now.

Arnold looked over at his teammates, annoyance written all over his face. "Really? Right now?" he muttered under his breath.

Jordan and Enzo didn't seem to care. They strutted down the beach, grinning like they knew exactly what they had interrupted. I shook my head, trying to hide my smile as I stood up, brushing the sand off my legs.

"Sorry to crash your little party," Jordan teased, throwing an arm around Arnold's shoulders. "But we've got plans, remember?"

"Plans?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow.

Enzo chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "Yeah, plans to not let Arnold get too cozy without us."

I laughed, the tension from the almost-kiss easing as the guys continued to joke around. Arnold stood up beside me, shooting a glare at Jordan, but there was amusement in his eyes. He glanced down at me, his expression softening, and I knew this wasn't the end of whatever had just happened. It was only the beginning.

As we all walked back to the parking lot, the playful banter between the boys continued, but Arnold stayed close to me, his hand brushing against mine every few steps. The fireworks were still going off in the distance, and as I looked up at the sky, I realized something.

It wasn't just the fireworks that had me feeling light-headed. It was Arnold. It was the way he made me feel like I could be myself, flaws and all.

And as we reached our cars, I knew that despite the interruption, this summer was far from over. There was something between us, something real, and I couldn't wait to see where it would take us next.