BEAUTY FROM ASHES

THIRTY FIVE

~Don't say it, unless you mean it~
-Unknown

MILEA'S POV

Today, I decided to be brave. After listening to Aiden's backstory, I really want to give Levi a chance to explain himself.

I mean come on now, I wasn't necessarily being fair to him by taking his friends and making them dislike him. Then again, I didn't perform his actions.

So I go up to him, he was taken back by my approach but smiled anyway.

"Hi Milea, you okay?" I nod. "Levi, this is not going to be a date. Can we meet up after school for coffee?" Without hesitation, he agreed.

I nodded, "The one close to the library okay?" He nodded.

-Later-

Aiden came up to me at the end of the day. I feel bad as I tried to dodge him, but then realised I'm to unfit for that.

He put his arm around my shoulders, "You busy now? Or can I steal you for a bit?" I sighed, "I uhm, I am busy. I've got somewhere to be." He stopped and nodded. "Oh okay, cool I'll call you later then?" I smiled and nodded.

I hopped in the car with Ava and as soon as I got home I changed into some casual clothing. Ava then dropped me at the coffee shop.

I see Levi already seated at the back. I quickly order my coffee and go and sit down.

"Hey." He glanced up at his phone and smiled, "Hey I wasn't sure if you were going to make it." I smile.

I sigh, "Levi, the only reason why I arranged this coffee meet up was to hear your side of the story." He paused and clenched his jaw. "Milea,-" I cut him off, "This is me giving you a second chance. If you don't want it, I'll gladly leave."

He sighed, "Fine, you're right. Sarah and I didn't plan for this to happen. Remember when you got invited to Riley's party?" I nod, "I remember declining the offer as I was studying." He nods.

"Well Sarah and I decided to play a harmless truth or dare game with the gang. We then got dared to sit in the cupboard for 7 minutes. Which we did, for five of those minutes we just talked and laughed as usual. Then she leaned in and kissed me, not realising what she did I kissed back. I only did that by default. Then as time progressed we tried to ignore what happened and we decided to see each other less for your sake. As I was your boyfriend. This will be the part that kills you, but I started developing feelings for her and so did she for me. One night we met up for dinner and we wanted to end whatever was going on between us. That didn't work, instead it did the complete opposite. Yes, we ended up dating. I guess it was our 'escape' to dealing with Matthew. So that evening when you caught us making out, when you left and then it all sank in. We both felt bad and guilty. I mean we realised that we've cheated. Then my parents found out, and then decided that we should move. Start off fresh."

I'm speechless. I don't know what to say or how to feel, yet I have so many questions. To be completely honest with you, I feel so numb.

I sighed, "Why didn't you just tell me? Why couldn't we just have broken up?" He sighed, "Milea, the thing with Matthew. I didn't want to burden or hurt you even more." I furrowed my eyebrows. "Yet you allow me to find out that you've cheated with my bestfriend. Was I not aloud to feel so broken due to the death of my brother?"

He sighed. "I was stupid and I was a coward. I also didn't know how to comfort you." I sigh, "Why couldn't we just talk about all of this back then? Before you cheated? Did you think leaving would help?" He ran his hand through his hair. "Milea, I'm sorry. Trust me, if I could have had this any other way I would take it."

He reached out for my hand, I flinched and removed my hand.

Instead, I got up and sat next to him and he held me as I started crying.

After a while I looked up at him,"Levi, I forgive you." He was shocked. A tear fell down his cheek and he hugged me, I guess it was his turn to cry.

I chuckled as I held him and let him cry. He sniffled, "You don't understand how long I've been waiting to hear you say that." I smiled, "Friends?" He smiled, "Friends." He dropped me at home. Before I got out the car he stopped me.

I glanced at him. He smiled and said, "I'm happy for you and Aiden. He's a good guy for you." I smiled and hugged him. "Thank you."