𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 • 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘤𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭

𝟒𝟏: 𝐇𝐄𝐑²

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~ Walker's POV ~
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(The Halloween Party...)

I sat next to Soph on the ground, watching as she sipped the water Mo got for her.

Every part of me wanted to reach out and hug her, to make sure that she'd be okay. But as far as I knew, she still hated me. It'd been weeks now.

I don't think it'll ever be how it was.

I resisted the urge to tuck her hair away from her eyes as she started to apologize, instead gently cutting her off. "It's not your fault." I shook my head.

What I said next was stupid. I'm beginning to realize I say a lot of stupid things without thinking first. I should probably work on that.

I turned to Aryan, not caring that I was irrationally upset. "It's yours."

I knew it wasn't fair. But this was Sophia. I didn't care if I was rude, or that I wasn't thinking straight. Someone besides her would be taking the blame on this one. Anyone. Even Aryan.

"Sorry." He muttered. Sophia interjected.

"No Walker, really. It is my fault. I wandered from the group and didn't tell them when I left. I should've but...I don't know." She shrugged. "I just wanted to prove I could do all of this on my own. I was wrong."

And as soon as she said that, I felt like the biggest jerk ever for blaming Aryan. If there was an award for saying unhelpful shit at the worst time, I'd take gold.

Leah pulled her up, and I watched as they hugged, squeezing each other extra tight. Turning around, I saw Aryan lingering by the door. I walked towards him, clearing my throat.

"Hey man." He looked up, and I nervously scratched the back of my neck. "Listen...I'm really sorry. It wasn't your fault. I was just angry, and I lost it." I sighed. "I messed up. Again."

He waved his hand like it was no big deal, brushing me off. "I get it. Sophia was in trouble, and I know seeing that scared all of us." He gave a knowing look. "Especially you."

I furrowed my brows. "Well yeah, I mean, finding anyone like that would be terrifying." I may have purposely dodged what he was implying. Maybe.

Aryan shook his head, laughing a little. "Geez, Walker." He stepped forward, grabbing my hand and pulling me into a hug. "Of course Sophia means a lot to all of us. But I think we both know she means the world to you."

I was about to protest like usual, but I stopped myself. Aryan was my best friend. If anything, this was the type of thing I was obligated to tell him.

I patted him on the back, blushing sheepishly. "Okay, yeah. She does."

Aryan pulled away, clapping me on the shoulder. "Thanks for finally admitting it." He paused. "Even if I'd known since the moment you introduced her."

"Hey-"

"And don't worry, man. I forgive you." He cut me off jokingly, leaving me as he went over to the girls. "I think we all deserve some food after that, yeah?"