Chapter 4 4

A Twist in the Tale

Lena's life, for all its quiet complexities, had a rhythm. It was made up of early mornings in the library, late nights lost in ink and paper, and weekends at local cafés, writing or drinking coffee with Adonis. It was the kind of simple she could get used to- the kind that felt steady, familiar, and warm.

But then, as it often happened in life, something shifted. And everything that once felt so secure, so certain, started to tremble.

It started with a message.

Friday, 10:32 AM

Lena's phone buzzed in her bag during a lecture on poetic forms. She ignored it at first, but it buzzed again- harder, more urgent. It was from an unknown number. Her curiosity got the best of her.

"Lena, it's Aria. I'm in town for a few days. Can we talk?"

Lena blinked, the name hitting her like a brick to the chest. Aria.

The last time Lena had heard from her best friend was months ago, before the messy end to their friendship. Aria had moved to another city for her internship, and their communication had dwindled, the rift between them growing wider with each passing week. The arguments. The betrayal. It all felt like a lifetime ago. But it still stung-still left marks, even if she tried not to show it.

She stared at the screen for a long time, chewing on her lip.

The class droned on around her, but all she could think about was that message. She hadn't been expecting this. Not now. Not when things with Adonis had begun to feel so... uncomplicated. At least, not in the way they had once been with Aria.

But then again, nothing in Lena's life was ever as simple as it seemed.

Later that afternoon, BrewLab

Adonis was sitting in their usual spot, a steaming cup of coffee in front of him and his laptop open. He was typing away, lost in whatever project he was working on, his fingers flying over the keys. When Lena sat down, he glanced up, a smile lighting up his face.

"You're late," he teased, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Sorry," Lena said, still distracted by the message on her phone. "Got caught up with something."

He raised an eyebrow. "Something bad?"

She hesitated, her fingers tightening around her coffee cup. "It's... complicated."

He leaned in slightly, sensing her unease. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Lena shifted in her seat. She knew she could tell him. She knew she could trust him. But the idea of revisiting the past- of reopening old wounds- felt too much like inviting the storm in. "Not yet. Maybe later."

He gave a small nod, accepting her answer. "Alright. I'm here when you're ready."

Lena swallowed the lump in her throat. Adonis had this way of being patient with her, of letting her take the time she needed. It made her feel safe in a way she hadn't felt in a long time.

But when she looked at him- really looked at him- she realized that her mind was already racing toward Aria. Toward that message. Toward the girl who had once been everything to her.

And now, it seemed, Aria was back. But why? What did she want?

"I'll be okay," Lena whispered to herself, her fingers tapping on the table. She wasn't sure if she meant it, but she had to. For now, at least.

Adonis didn't push her. Instead, he changed the subject, asking about her latest writing assignment. As the conversation shifted, Lena managed to push aside the thoughts of Aria, but they hovered at the edges of her mind, a constant presence that she couldn't quite shake.

Saturday, 2:00 PM

The next day, Lena found herself standing outside a café she hadn't been to in months. The familiar red-and-white sign of Bridges Café hung above her, and for a moment, she wasn't sure she wanted to go in. But she had agreed to meet Aria here, and there was no turning back now.

The past always had a way of catching up with her when she least expected it.

She stepped inside, the bell above the door ringing as she entered. The smell of fresh pastries and coffee wrapped around her, and for a moment, she thought it would be just like old times- comforting, familiar. But when she saw Aria sitting at a table in the back, her heart skipped a beat.

Aria hadn't changed much. She was still the same girl with wild, curly hair, a mischievous smile, and a tendency to wear clothes that made her seem effortlessly chic. But there was something different about her now-something Lena couldn't quite place.

Aria looked up as Lena approached, her face lighting up with recognition. "Lena," she said softly, standing up to give her a quick hug.

Lena hesitated for a moment before returning the hug. It felt strange- awkward, even. There was no denying the distance between them. But she didn't pull away.

"It's been a while," Lena said, settling into the seat across from Aria. She folded her hands together on the table, trying not to fidget.

Aria smiled, but it was a little sad, like she knew the history they shared could never be erased. "Yeah, it has. I've missed you, Lena."

Lena looked away for a moment, feeling the weight of everything unsaid. "What do you want, Aria? Why now?"

Aria's smile faltered slightly, and she leaned in, her voice low. "I know I messed up. I know I hurt you. But I'm here because I want to fix it. I want to make things right."

Lena felt a flicker of hope, but it was quickly squashed by a rush of skepticism. Aria's apology didn't feel like enough. Not after everything. Not after the way she'd betrayed Lena.

"I don't know if you can," Lena said quietly. "It's not just about fixing it, Aria. It's about trust. And you broke that."

Aria's eyes darkened, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I know. And I hate myself for it. But I've changed. I'm different now. I just... I just need you to know that."

Lena looked at her, searching her face for any sign that Aria truly meant it. But all she saw was the girl who had once been her best friend-the girl who had turned her back on Lena when she needed her the most.

"I don't know if I can forgive you," Lena said, her voice trembling.

Aria's expression softened, and she reached out to touch Lena's hand. "I don't expect you to. But I want to try. I want to prove that I'm worth it."

Lena pulled her hand back gently, her heart pounding in her chest. She wasn't ready for this. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

"I need time," Lena said, her voice firm. "And I need space."

Aria nodded, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I understand. I'm not here to push you. I just wanted to be honest."

Lena stood up, feeling the weight of the conversation pressing down on her. "I'll think about it. But right now... I need to go."

As she walked out of the café, Lena's mind was a whirlwind. Aria's words echoed in her ears, but they didn't bring her any peace. All they did was remind her of the mess they had once been-and the mess they were still in.

Later that night, Lena's dorm room

When Lena returned to her room, her phone buzzed again. She glanced at it. It was a message from Adonis.

"How did it go?"

Lena bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. She had a thousand thoughts swirling around, and none of them felt clear enough to share. Instead, she replied with a simple message:

"It was complicated."

She set her phone down on the desk and sat down on the bed, her thoughts swirling. What was she supposed to do now? Could she forgive Aria? Could she even trust her again?

The door to her room opened, and she glanced up to find Adonis standing there, his expression gentle, waiting. He didn't say anything right away. He didn't need to. Instead, he sat next to her and simply took her hand in his, squeezing it softly.

"Talk to me when you're ready," he said quietly.

Lena sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the ceiling. The gentle hum of the campus outside her window was a dull reminder that life kept moving, even when her own world felt like it was stuck in place. Her phone buzzed again, and she grabbed it without thinking.

"Lena, are you okay?"

"Do you need to talk?" – Adonis

The message hit her harder than she expected. It was clear he cared, but she didn't want to burden him with the storm swirling in her mind. Instead, she responded with the same simple words she had typed before, hoping to keep him from worrying too much.

"I'm fine. Just processing a lot."

She tossed her phone onto the bed and rubbed her temples. Processing. That was one way to put it.

The weight of the conversation with Aria still hung on her, heavy and thick, like the air before a thunderstorm. She had been caught in a current, one that had dragged her back to a place she wasn't sure she was ready to face. What was Aria really asking for? Was it an apology? A second chance? Or was this about something else entirely?

And why, after all this time, had she come back now?

Lena sighed and got up from the bed. She needed to clear her head-needed to make sense of everything. She grabbed her jacket and left her room without another thought.

The next morning, BrewLab

The morning sun had just begun to stream through the café windows when Lena arrived at BrewLab, her mind still cloudy. She had barely slept, and the events of the previous day kept replaying over and over in her head. Despite her internal chaos, she was drawn here like a moth to a flame, knowing that the familiarity of the place, the smell of roasted coffee, and the sound of clinking mugs might offer some comfort.

As she walked in, she spotted Adonis sitting at their usual booth, his eyes scanning the pages of a book. He looked up as soon as she approached, a soft smile spreading across his face. There was something about that smile-something warm and reassuring-that made Lena feel a little lighter.

"Morning," he greeted, his voice low and steady. He was always so calm, as if nothing in the world could shake him.

"Morning," she replied, sliding into the booth across from him. She could feel the weight of her own thoughts pressing against her, but Adonis didn't rush her. Instead, he set his book down and simply looked at her, waiting for her to speak.

Lena opened her mouth but couldn't find the words. Her mind was still tangled, still wrestling with everything that had happened. After a long pause, she exhaled sharply and said, "Aria came back."

Adonis didn't react immediately, but his eyes narrowed slightly, his fingers tapping lightly on the edge of his coffee cup. "I figured as much."

Lena blinked. "You knew?"

He nodded, his gaze softening. "I could see it in your eyes yesterday. There's something between you two, something unresolved. I didn't want to ask about it until you were ready to talk."

Lena swallowed, feeling a rush of emotion flood her chest. "I don't know what to do, Adonis. I'm so angry. But at the same time, part of me wants to just... forgive her. Let it all go and pretend like everything's fine again."

Adonis leaned forward, his expression sincere. "Lena, you don't have to forgive her if you're not ready. But you do deserve to find peace with whatever decision you make. No one can tell you how to feel."

She nodded, the words sinking into her. But there was still something else. "What if she comes back, asking for something more than just forgiveness? What if she expects me to pick up right where we left off? I can't do that. I don't think I can ever trust her again."

Adonis was quiet for a long moment. He didn't rush to answer, as though weighing her words carefully. Finally, he said, "Trust isn't something you just give back. It's earned. And if Aria's really changed, she'll have to prove it. You have to decide whether that's something you're willing to wait for."

Lena stared down at her coffee, her thoughts swirling again. Everything Adonis said made sense, but it didn't make it easier. The thought of confronting Aria again-of reopening old wounds-felt impossible. She wasn't sure if she was strong enough to do it.

"You're right," she said quietly, her voice thick with uncertainty. "But I don't know if I can face her again, not after everything that's happened."

Adonis gave her a soft, understanding smile. "You don't have to do it alone. I'm here. Whatever you decide, I'll be here."

Lena looked up at him, her heart skipping a beat. His sincerity, his unwavering support-it was everything she had needed but hadn't known how to ask for. She wanted to trust him with more than just her writing or her coffee orders. She wanted to trust him with her heart.

"Thanks, Adonis," she whispered.

He grinned, a playful glint in his eyes. "Anytime."

The silence between them was comfortable, filled with unspoken understanding. And for a moment, Lena allowed herself to feel a sense of peace, as if the chaos inside her had quieted, just a little.

But then, her phone buzzed again, pulling her from the moment.

She glanced at the screen. The message was from Aria.

"I know I messed up. But I need to see you. Please. Can we meet?"

Lena felt a pit form in her stomach. It was happening again. The invitation she had been dreading. She didn't even have to think about it. The answer was clear.

"No," she whispered to herself.

Adonis, ever observant, raised an eyebrow. "Everything okay?"

Lena looked at him, her fingers gripping the edge of her phone. "It's Aria. She wants to meet again. But I... I'm not sure I can do this."

Adonis didn't say anything. Instead, he reached across the table, gently taking her hand in his. The gesture was simple, but it spoke volumes. "Take your time, Lena. And when you're ready, I'll be right here."

She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of his hand calm her. She didn't know what the future held, didn't know if she could forgive Aria or whether their friendship could ever go back to what it was. But for the first time in a long time, Lena felt like she wasn't alone in the uncertainty. With Adonis by her side, maybe, just maybe, she could find her way through.

The next day, Aria's apartment

Lena stood at the door, her hand hovering over the knocker. She had finally agreed to meet Aria, despite the heavy feeling in her chest. Every instinct told her to turn around, to walk away, to leave the past where it belonged. But a small part of her-the part that still remembered who they were before everything fell apart-pushed her to go through with it.

She knocked.

The door opened a moment later, and Aria stood there, her eyes a little red but hopeful.

"Lena," she said softly, her voice breaking.

Lena swallowed, trying to keep her composure. "We need to talk."

Aria stepped back, allowing Lena inside. "I know. I know I've hurt you. But I'm not here to make excuses. I just need you to know... I'm sorry. For everything."

Lena nodded, her heart heavy. She wasn't sure if she could forgive Aria yet. She wasn't sure if she ever would. But for now, talking-just talking-might be enough.