Shouts and Sweet Surrender.

Chapter 4: Unspoken Words

The next morning, the atmosphere in the cabin was thick with tension. The light filtering through the windows seemed too bright, almost mocking the awkwardness that had settled between Ian and Lola. They had barely spoken after their argument last night, each of them retreating into their own thoughts.

Lola stood by the small kitchen window, absentmindedly stirring a cup of coffee. The rich aroma filled the room, but she didn't notice. Her mind was elsewhere—back on the conversation she had with Ian. She didn't know what to make of it. Every time she thought she had him figured out, he would throw her off balance with something unexpected. And now, she was questioning everything.

The sound of footsteps broke through her thoughts. Ian walked into the kitchen, his black hair still messy from sleep, his hazel eyes scanning the room before they landed on her. For a moment, neither of them said anything. The air between them was heavy with unspoken words, words that neither seemed ready to voice.

"Morning," Ian finally said, his voice unusually soft.

"Morning," Lola replied, barely looking at him as she took a sip of her coffee. She was still trying to figure out what to say, how to address the tension that was building between them. But part of her was afraid—afraid of what might happen if she opened up, afraid of what Ian might say if she did.

Ian grabbed a cup of his own, leaning against the counter as he poured himself some coffee. The silence stretched on, growing more uncomfortable by the second. Lola hated this—hated how they had gone from playful banter to this awkward distance. But what could she say? Ian had thrown her completely off-guard with his admission last night.

"So," Ian began, breaking the silence, "about last night..."

Lola tensed, not ready to have this conversation yet. She shook her head, her fingers tightening around the mug. "Can we not do this right now?"

Ian frowned, setting down his cup. "You're really going to pretend like nothing happened?"

"I'm not pretending anything," Lola snapped, her frustration bubbling to the surface. She turned to face him, her heart racing. "I just... I need time, okay?"

Ian stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. But there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something that made Lola's chest tighten. "Time for what?" he asked quietly. "To keep pushing me away?"

"That's not what this is," Lola insisted, though even she wasn't sure if that was true. She hated feeling like this—torn between wanting to protect herself and not wanting to lose him. "I just... I need to think."

Ian set down his cup and took a step closer to her, his gaze intense. "Think about what, Lola? About how you're going to keep avoiding whatever this is between us?"

Lola felt her throat tighten. She had never been good at dealing with emotions like this, especially not with Ian. It was easier to keep things at arm's length, to stay in the safety of their banter and teasing. But now, that safety was gone, and all that was left was the raw truth of how much he had come to mean to her.

"I don't know," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I don't know what to do."

For a moment, Ian didn't say anything. He just looked at her, his eyes searching hers as if he was trying to figure out what was going on inside her head. Then, with a sigh, he stepped back. "You always do this, you know," he said, his voice laced with frustration. "You run when things get too real."

Lola looked away, guilt gnawing at her. "I'm not running."

"You are," Ian countered, his tone softening. "You've been running for years."

The words hit Lola hard. She knew he was right. Every time things between them had started to get serious, she had pulled back. She had convinced herself that it was better this way, that keeping their relationship light and easy was safer. But now, standing in front of Ian, she wasn't sure if she believed that anymore.

"I'm scared, Ian," she admitted, her voice shaking slightly. "I don't know how to do this. I don't know how to be with you."

Ian's expression softened, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the tension between them eased. He took a step closer, his hand reaching out to gently touch her arm. "Then let me help you. We can figure it out together."

Lola's heart ached at his words. Part of her wanted to say yes, to give in to what she had been feeling for so long. But another part of her—an older, more cautious part—held her back. She had been hurt before, and the thought of opening herself up to Ian, of letting him see her vulnerabilities, terrified her.

"I don't know if I can," she whispered.

Ian's hand dropped to his side, his eyes filled with disappointment. "I guess that's your choice."

Lola looked away, her chest tight with regret. She knew that if she kept pulling away, she might lose him. But she wasn't sure if she was ready to take the risk.

The silence stretched between them again, heavier than before. And for the first time, Lola realized that they might be standing on the edge of something that neither of them could come back from.