Shouts and Sweet Surrender.

Chapter 10: The Weight of Goodbye

Ian stood by the lake, the cool autumn breeze tugging at the edges of his gray hoodie. The water was calm, reflecting the pale blue sky above, but inside him, everything was in turmoil. He had spent most of the day walking, trying to clear his head, but no matter how far he went, his thoughts always circled back to Lola.

The conversation from earlier played over and over in his mind. The way she hesitated, the uncertainty in her voice. Ian had always known that Lola was afraid of commitment, afraid of being vulnerable, but he had hoped—no, he had believed—that eventually, she would let him in. That she would choose him.

But now, he wasn't so sure.

He sat down on the edge of the dock, letting his legs dangle over the water. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow across the lake, but Ian barely noticed. All he could think about was the aching emptiness that had settled in his chest.

How long do you wait for someone who isn't sure if they want you?

The thought hit him hard, like a punch to the gut. He had always prided himself on his patience, on his ability to give Lola the time and space she needed. But now, it felt like that patience was running thin. And the longer he waited, the more it felt like he was losing himself in the process.

Ian leaned back, propping himself up on his elbows as he stared up at the sky. The first stars were beginning to appear, twinkling faintly in the fading light. He had always loved the stars—there was something comforting about their steady presence, about the way they remained constant, even when everything else in life was uncertain. But tonight, even the stars couldn't calm the storm inside him.

He thought back to all the moments he had shared with Lola—the late-night conversations, the quiet mornings by the lake, the way she had laughed at his dumb jokes. There had been so many good times, so many memories that he cherished. But now, those memories felt distant, like they belonged to someone else.

"I love her," he thought, the realization hitting him with a force that took his breath away. He had always known it, deep down, but saying it—admitting it to himself—made it feel more real, more painful. Because he knew that no matter how much he loved her, it might not be enough.

"Love doesn't fix everything," he reminded himself, though the words felt hollow. He had always believed that love could conquer anything, but now, he wasn't so sure. Love couldn't make Lola stay. It couldn't make her want him the way he wanted her.

And as much as he hated to admit it, Ian knew that sometimes, love wasn't enough to make things work.

The realization settled over him like a heavy weight, pressing down on his chest until it was hard to breathe. He had always been the one to fight for them, to hold on when things got tough. But now, he was starting to wonder if he was the only one still fighting.

Ian closed his eyes, letting the cool air wash over him. He didn't want to give up on Lola. He didn't want to walk away. But maybe, just maybe, it was time to let go.