Ian's POV
**Song Suggestion: That's Us by Anson Seabra**
I messed up again, seeing Hailey's expression change. I had hurt her once more, even though I swore I wouldn't. She now sat on the ground beside me, staring out towards the carved wooden fence. She took a deep breath, seeming to try to find the right words. I need to do something before she does.
"Revealing hearts?" I asked her, needing her to know what I was about to say was as honest and true as ever. Thankfully, she agreed, nodding her head but not looking my way. "What are you thinking about?"
"How are you never going to let her go? She's always going to be a part of our relationship. I thought you said you were ready to let her go. Did you lie?"
"No, I didn't. I promise you I am letting her go. I have let her go. The only reason I am crying is because I am scared I'm going to lose my best friend. She's not just someone I once loved. She's also my friend, and I'm not ready for her to die. It did, however, cause me to realize something tonight. Do you want to know what it is? Will you believe me?"
"I want to know, but I don't know if I will believe it until I hear it."
"Then ask me. Ask me so I have to say only the truth or face your punishment." I pushed her. I need her to believe me. I need her to know the truth. Something I had been denying for far too long.
"Okay, Ian. What did you realize tonight?"
"Hailey, Red may have been my first love, but you- you will be my last," I confessed, feeling truly and deeply in love with her. I leaned down, cupping her face and kissing her sweet lips. Surprisingly, she allowed me to do so, kissing me back. "I love you, Hailey Medina."
She grew silent, as I feared she would. It seemed she was scared of love and all it entailed, but I needed her to know. I wanted her to know that she meant so much more to me than she realized.
"What are you thinking about?" I asked her, needing to hear her inner thoughts as panic was clearly written on her face.
"Nothing," she said, shaking her head, clearly lying.
"Liar." I smirked at her, knowing full well she was probably contemplating leaving me right now, but I'll be damned if I let her run away from this- from us.
"Am not."
"Not a good enough argument, Hailey. As punishment, you're stuck with me for 24 hours," I said, getting up and scooping her into my arms. I carried her to her seat, buckling her in as she sat silently. I could tell she was internally freaking out, as her eyes wouldn't look at me. Sorry, Hailey, but tonight I'm getting you to admit your feelings, even if they scare you.
I drove off, no longer seeing Red or Lucas outside. I was glad that they worked things out and that Red, for the most part, would be okay. It scared me to think of her dying and honestly, I had agreed with Lucas for a moment. Until I remembered that it was a life we were talking about and not just something that was keeping her from getting better. I think that too drove me to tears- that moment of realizing I had thought something so unlike me.
The dark road was only illuminated by the glow of my headlights and a scarce number of street lights. I was headed to Vanderbilt Museum & Planetarium, a place that had become a favorite spot for me on a Friday night. The Long Island Skies show was something I had been wanting to share with Hailey, and tonight felt like the perfect time for it. As we arrived, I paid for our tickets and led us inside. Surprisingly, Hailey remained quiet the entire time, and a sense of unease filled me. I hoped the show would help her relax, giving us a chance to talk once it was over..
"That was beautiful," she said, speaking to me for the first time since getting her in the car. It seemed the show did what it was meant to do and had put her mind at ease.
"I thought you would like that." I smiled at her, taking her hand and leading her outside, where we found a bench to sit on. The temperature had dropped further as the night continued, making Hailey shiver for a moment. I wrapped her in my arms, rubbing them to try to keep her warm. If I didn't need my shirt, I would have given it to her to shield her from the cold. "Shall we keep playing?" I asked her.
"Yeah. I think it's my turn." It seemed there was a question she had in mind, so I let her ask first. I nodded, gesturing for her to ask. "Why do you think you love me?"
"I don't think I love you, Hailey. I know I do," I said, looking deep into those melted chocolate eyes of hers.
"That doesn't answer my question." She arched a brow at me in challenge.
"If you really want to know, there are a million reasons why, but I'll tell you the six main ones." I turned fully to the side on the bench, having my leg fold in front of me. "Number one: you make me smile like no one else can. Your presence alone brightens up my day and brings a genuine joy to my heart." I inched closer to her as I continued to list the reasons why this woman had become so important to me. "Number two: you have this incredible ability to bring light back into my world. When I was lost in darkness, you came into my life and illuminated everything around me." I grabbed her hands now, rubbing the back of her palm with my thumb.
"Number three: your warm and loving heart is one of the most beautiful things about you. The way you care for others, selflessly and wholeheartedly, is truly inspiring. Number four: you have this remarkable way of bringing out the best in people. Your kindness and compassion have touched so many lives, including mine and Red's. You make me want to be a better person." I squeezed her hands, wishing I could hold her, but I needed to look her in the eyes as I confessed my feelings.
"Not only are you smart and dedicated, but you also know how to have fun. Your intelligence and sense of adventure make every moment we spend together exciting and fulfilling. That's number five, by the way, which leads me to six. With you, Hailey, it feels like I can breathe again. You've helped me heal and feel whole after I had fallen into a deep depression. You saved me and I will forever be grateful for that." I hoped that the sincerity in my voice would help her believe every word I had said, because I truly meant it. Hailey now held my heart, and with it the power to crush it, but something told me that maybe she wouldn't. There was this small sliver of hope that Hailey felt the same way about me. "With all that said, do you think you could ever love me, my Light?" I saw her hesitate as she thought her answer through, eventually sighing and squeezing my hands.
"Yes, that's what scares me. You make it so easy to fall in love with you. Do you have any idea how perfect you are? Literally, your only flaw is that you're hung up on Liv. Your only flaw," she announced, leaving me torn between flattery and remorse. "But why should I trust you when you keep choosing Liv? When her words alone bring you tears?"
"Because I choose you over her." It was true. Tonight, while I was crying, I realized I was crying because it was truly over. Any lingering feelings I had for Red died tonight. She will always be my best friend and my first love, but I no longer feel drawn to her the way I once did.
"Liar." She shook her head.
"I'll prove it." I pulled my phone out, pulling up Red's contact and typing out my message to her. "You were right. I wasn't over you, Red. You were my first love, my best friend, the one that got away. I was in love with you even after everything, or I was until recently. You're my best friend, you always will be, but I think it's best if I distance myself from you for a little while. I'll see you whenever you need me, but it won't be alone anymore. Hailey will be with me. I love her, Red. She's made me see a whole new side to myself- to us. Lord, did she make me fall hard." I read aloud as I typed it, but before I could send it, Hailey snatched the phone out of my hands.