Box Of Matches | ✓

35

As the fire blazed and crackled, its fierce glow lighting up the night, Colby stood beside Ariel, his expression a mix of disbelief and concern. The once-familiar beach house was now a roaring inferno, each crackle and pop of the flames a reminder of Ariel's emotional turmoil and the symbolic act of letting go. Colby watched as Ariel's eyes reflected the intense light of the fire, her face illuminated with a fierce satisfaction that he couldn't quite understand.

The heat from the fire was intense, and the gusts of wind carried the scent of burning wood and gasoline. Ariel stood still, her gaze fixed on the flames as if they were consuming more than just the structure before her. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, her emotions raw and exposed in the face of such a dramatic release.

Finally, Ariel turned to Colby, her eyes meeting his with a look of determination and vulnerability. The firelight danced in her eyes, and the moment felt charged with unspoken feelings and unresolved emotions. Colby, still processing the enormity of what had just happened, looked at her with a mix of empathy and curiosity.

"I've been carrying so much inside me," Ariel said, her voice steady but tinged with emotion. "Seeing this house burn down... it's not just about the house. It's about everything I've been holding onto."

Colby took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "Ariel, you don't have to go through this alone. I'm here."

She shook her head slightly, her expression conflicted. "I'm done with Bradley. I thought he was the one, but he wasn't. And when I saw you with Charlotte... I felt like my heart was being torn apart all over again."

Colby's face softened with regret. "I never meant to hurt you, Ariel. It was a complicated situation, and I'm sorry for how things turned out. I didn't know how much it affected you."

Ariel's heart ached at the sincerity in Colby's voice. "I know it wasn't entirely your fault. But I was hurt, and I didn't know how to deal with it. Now that I'm done with Bradley, I don't know what to do. I just—"

She faltered, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air. Colby looked at her, a look of determination crossing his face. "You just have to say it, Ariel. If you still have feelings for me, you need to let me know. Say the word and I'll break art off with her. I never truly loved her the way I love you."

The revelation hit Ariel like a wave, her heart pounding in her chest. She took a deep breath, her emotions bubbling to the surface. "I don't want to be just another chapter in your life, Colby. But I also don't want to ignore what I'm feeling."

Colby took a step closer, his hand reaching out to gently touch her arm. "You're not just another chapter. If you're ready to move on from Bradley and if you're ready to see what we could be together, I'm here for you."

Ariel's heart raced as she felt the intensity of the moment. All the hurt, confusion, and longing from the past months seemed to converge in this one pivotal instant. She looked up at Colby, her eyes filled with a mixture of hope and fear.

Without another word, Ariel took a decisive step forward. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she closed the distance between them. Colby's eyes widened slightly, but he didn't move away. Instead, he met her gaze with an equal intensity, understanding what was about to happen.

Ariel reached up, her fingers gently resting on the back of Colby's neck, and she pulled him down to her. Their lips met in a passionate, desperate kiss. It was a kiss fueled by all the emotions that had been pent up over the months: longing, heartbreak, and a fierce desire for connection. The world around them seemed to disappear as they lost themselves in the moment.

The kiss was deep and fervent, a blend of all their unresolved feelings. Colby's arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer, as if he were trying to make up for all the lost time. Ariel's fingers tangled in his hair, her heart aching with a bittersweet mix of joy and sorrow. The fire crackled behind them, casting flickering shadows on their entwined figures.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless, their faces flushed from the intensity of their emotions. Ariel's eyes searched Colby's, looking for a sign of what this kiss meant for them. Colby's gaze was filled with a mix of relief and tenderness.

"I needed that," Ariel whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "I needed to know if we could still have something real."

Colby nodded, his forehead resting against hers. "We can, Ariel. We just have to take it one step at a time."

Ariel nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek. "I'm ready for that."

Colby gently wiped the tear from her face, his touch soft and reassuring. "Then let's face it together."

As they stood there, holding each other, the fire continued to burn in the background, a symbol of the old chapter being consumed and the new one beginning. The night air was filled with the sounds of the crackling flames and the distant murmurs of the ocean, creating a surreal and intimate atmosphere for their newfound connection.