𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓮𝓬𝓻𝓮𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓾𝓼
ᵂᵉ'ʳᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ! ᴹᵃʸᵇᵉ ?

The late afternoon sun spilled golden light across the small café, casting a soft glow on the polished wooden tables and the potted plants that lined the windowsills. Walker sat across from his sister, Leena, fiddling with the straw in his iced coffee. Leena sipped her tea, watching him with a knowing look that made him squirm.

"Alright, out with it," Leena said, setting her cup down. "You've been poking at that drink like it insulted you. What's on your mind?"

Walker let out a small, awkward laugh. "Am I that obvious?"

"To me, yes," Leena said with a smirk. "Come on, spill. Is this about Aurelie?"

Walker froze for a second before sighing, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah. It's... about her."

Leena tilted her head, her expression softening. "I thought you two were just friends now? I mean, that's what you've been saying for weeks."

"We are," Walker said quickly, almost defensively. Then, after a beat, he slumped forward, resting his chin on his hand. "At least, that's what we're supposed to be. It's just... things have been different lately. Good different. But confusing different, too."

Leena leaned forward slightly, giving him her full attention. "Different how?"

Walker hesitated, his gaze drifting to the window. Outside, a couple walked by, laughing together as if they didn't have a care in the world. He watched them for a moment before turning back to his sister.

"I think I'm starting to feel things again," he admitted quietly. "For her. Like, I'm not even sure when it started happening, but... it's there."

Leena's eyes softened. "And that scares you?"

Walker nodded, running a hand through his dark hair. "Yeah. I mean, we broke up for a reason, right? Things got messy back then, and I don't want to go through all that again. But now... spending time with her again, it's like she's still this amazing person who gets me in ways no one else does. It's messing with my head."

Leena smiled faintly, her tone gentle but teasing. "So, you're saying you're falling for her all over again."

Walker groaned, leaning back and rubbing his face with both hands. "Don't say it like that."

"Well, it's the truth, isn't it?" Leena said, shrugging. "Walker, feelings don't just disappear, especially when it's someone like Aurelie. You're human. You're allowed to feel complicated things."

"But what if it's a mistake?" Walker asked, his voice tinged with frustration. "What if we try again, and it ends the same way? I don't think I can handle hurting her again. Or being hurt."

Leena reached across the table, placing a hand on his. "You're not the same person you were when you broke up. And maybe she isn't, either. People grow, Walker. It's okay to take a chance, but only if you're both ready for it."

Walker was silent for a moment, her words sinking in. Then he looked at her, his expression torn. "What if I don't even know how she feels about me anymore?"

Leena chuckled softly. "You'll never know unless you talk to her. And even if she doesn't feel the same, at least you'll know where you stand. But for now, maybe just focus on what's real—being her friend. The rest will fall into place if it's meant to."

Walker sighed again, but this time it felt a little lighter, like a weight had been lifted. "You always know how to make things sound so simple."

"It's a gift," Leena said with a grin, picking up her tea again. "Now, stop brooding and drink your coffee. You're gonna need the energy if you're planning on overthinking this all night."

Despite himself, Walker laughed, shaking his head. "Thanks, Leena. You're the best."

"I know," she said with a wink.

As they sat there, the conversation shifted to lighter topics, but Walker couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope in his chest. Maybe, just maybe, things with Aurelie weren't as complicated as he thought.

— THE SECRET OF US —