Hearts in Bloom

Chapter 16

Tobias stared at the stack of textbooks on his desk, the words blurring together as he struggled to concentrate. It was his final year of high school, and he knew he should be focused, preparing for exams that would determine his future. But as much as he tried to immerse himself in his studies, his thoughts kept drifting back to Aria.

Every moment they’d spent together felt like a fading memory—shared laughter, late-night phone calls, and secrets whispered in the dark. Since the day of the drama play, the distance between them had grown, leaving a hollow space in his heart that he couldn’t seem to fill. He missed her more than he could articulate, and each passing day only intensified the ache.

With summer break approaching, Tobias decided to take a spontaneous trip to surprise Aria and Mia at their university. He knew it was a gamble—he hadn’t told anyone but Jaxon, who was supposed to come with him. Unfortunately, Jaxon had fallen ill, battling a high fever that left him bedridden. Tobias had assured Jaxon he would be fine on his own, eager to keep the surprise under wraps.

The next morning, he packed a small bag, excitement bubbling within him as he thought about finally seeing Aria and Mia. The drive to the university was filled with daydreams of their reunion. He imagined Aria's reaction, her laughter, and the way her eyes would light up when she saw him. The anticipation pushed him to drive faster, and before he knew it, he was parked outside the sprawling campus.

Tobias took a moment to gather his thoughts, inhaling the fresh air of the university. He hadn’t planned on diving straight into the surprise; he wanted to explore the campus first, to absorb the environment that had become Aria’s new world. As he strolled through the vibrant grounds, he marveled at the energy around him—students bustling to classes, laughter ringing out, and the vibrant colors of the campus decorations.

However, as he walked, an unsettling feeling crept into his chest, like a shadow lurking just out of sight. He shook it off and continued down a path lined with trees, their bare branches swaying gently in the cold breeze.

As he rounded a corner near the student center, he spotted a familiar figure—a girl with striking features, brown hair cascading over her shoulders. Tobias' heart raced, hope igniting within him. Could it be Aria?

But as he approached, his heart dropped like a stone. The girl was indeed Aria, but she was wrapped in the arms of a boy. He recognized him instantly from the pictures of the drama play Aria had sent him: Lucas Carter. Tobias felt the blood drain from his face as he watched the scene unfold. Lucas was holding her close, his expression warm as he whispered something that made Aria laugh.

Time seemed to freeze as Tobias stood frozen in place, his chest tightening painfully. The boy was leaning in, brushing a lock of hair from Aria’s face, and in that moment, Tobias’ heart shattered into a million pieces.

He stepped back, his mind racing with confusion and jealousy. Didn't Aria said that they were just friends? The sight of them together made his heart shatter into million pieces. He turned away quickly, desperate to escape the scene that was seared into his memory.

With each step away from the university, the warmth of the campus faded into a chilling reality. He sat in his car, gripping the steering wheel tightly, trying to suppress the turmoil brewing inside him. How could he have thought this surprise would bring them closer when the very sight of her with Lucas had ripped him apart?

Back at home, the textbooks lay untouched as he sat on his bed, staring blankly at the wall. No matter how hard he tried to focus on studying, his mind drifted back to that moment—the way Lucas had held Aria, how they had looked so perfectly in sync. It was a cruel reminder of the distance that had grown between them and the possibility that perhaps he had lost her for good.

Days turned into weeks, and he barely spoke to anyone. Jaxon noticed his withdrawn demeanor, but Tobias brushed off his concerns. Jacon asked if he met them, but he told Jaxon that he lost the path didn't went there and came back. Each day was a battle to concentrate, his thoughts perpetually entangled with the image of Aria in Lucas’ arms.

He was determined to make things right once he joins university. But until then, all he could do was wrestle with his feelings, haunted by the memory of what he had seen and the aching desire to bridge the growing gap between them. Although he was happy that Aria comfortabke in the campus but the thought of watching her move on without him stung him like a fresh wound, and he wasn’t sure how to heal it.

But Tobias knew one thing for certain: he couldn’t keep running from the truth. He needed to confront his feelings head-on and decide what he was willing to fight for. Aria was worth it, and he was determined not to let her slip away.

And as he looked out his window at the fading sunset, a flicker of hope ignited within him. He had to believe that there was still a chance to reclaim what they had lost. But the chance was very low. He had lost all his hope after today. So he decided to stop contracting Aria for now as he thought to give Aria some space and also giving him time to heal.

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My Random Silly Thoughts:

The Epic Fail:
Kid: "I tried to bake cookies!"
Parent: "How did that go?"
Kid: "Let’s just say they turned into cookie pancakes."
Parent: "Did they taste good?"
Kid: "Only if you like cookies that are flat and burned and looks terrible!"
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