LOGINIvy's Pov I pushed the screen door open and stepped onto the porch. He froze, his head snapping up to look at me. He looked tired, but his eyes were clearer than I had ever seen them. "Ivy," he said. He sounded like he had been holding that name in for a long time. "What are you doing here?" I asked. I had told Marcus that I was done with my past, but I didn't feel like I was telling the truth anymore. He was sure I could move on, but seeing Dominic there made my resolve feel like it was melting. I felt like I was no longer just a tool for my own independence. "I came to see you," he said, walking slowly toward the porch steps. "I had told my therapist that I might be too late, but he said it didn't matter how long it took as long as I showed up. He was sure that if I was honest, you’d at least hear me out." My eyes stung as I tried to keep from tearing up as he reached the bottom step. I could hear the sound of the wind in the trees, a distant lawnmower, and the chirping of c
Dominic's Pov The taxi tires crunched against the gravel as I stepped out onto the sidewalk. "That will be fifteen dollars, sir," the driver said, looking at me through the mirror. "Keep the change," I said. I handed him a twenty. "You look like you're about to fight a war or get married," the driver joked. "Which one is it?" "Maybe both," I replied. I felt like I was just a tool for my own nerves as I watched the car pull away. I wanted to tell the driver that I didn't care about the money. I only wanted to know if the house at the end of the block was really hers. But how ironic my life had turned out. Before, I was also just a tool for my family's reputation—their ego and their heart—from being broken by the truth of who I was. Only this time, I had a real idea of what I was fighting for. And at least with this walk, I was the one moving my own feet. I was not forced into this encounter. My eyes stung as I tried to keep from tearing up as I started walking down toward t
Ivy's Pov I was standing by the window, watching the mail truck drive away from the curb. "Ivy, is that the mail?" Marcus asked from the couch. "I think so," I said. "I'm going to go get it." "You look like you've seen a ghost," he said. "Are you okay?" "I'm fine. I just... I think it’s from him." I walked outside and felt the cold air on my face. I had told myself that I was ready for this, but my hands were shaking as I pulled the letter out. He was implying in his last message that he would come if I asked, and now the paper was right here. I felt like I was just a tool for my own nerves for a long time. I wanted to tell the world that I wasn't the same girl he left behind. I only wanted to show him I was strong now. But how ironic my life had turned out. What was happening now was exactly how I wanted my new chapter to start. Before, I was also just a tool to save his feelings—his ego and his heart—from being broken by the truth of our situation. Only this time, I
Ivy's Pov The morning sun hit the kitchen table, and I sat there staring at a blank piece of paper. "Do you want some more coffee, Ivy?" Marcus asked, leaning against the counter. "No, I’m good," I said. "I think I’m just going to write this letter now." "You sure? You've been staring at that page for twenty minutes," he noted. "I'm sure. It’s just hard to find the right words. He was implying in his last message that he’d wait forever, but I don't want him to wait forever." "Well, just tell him the truth," Marcus said. "He needs to hear it from you." I had told myself that I wasn't pure enough for a happy life anymore. But then I realized it didn't matter. I was sure that I wanted to have a possibility of a future with him. I felt like I had been just a tool for my own sadness for a long time. "Should I tell him to come here?" I asked. "Do you want him here?" Marcus asked back. "I think so. But I want to go slow. I don't care about the big romantic gestures. I only want
Ivy's Pov I reached for a carton of eggs, making sure none were cracked. "Do we have enough milk, Ivy?" Marcus asked from the next aisle over. "I think so," I called back. "I checked the fridge before we left." I was acting calm compared to the turmoil within me as I stood in the middle of the store. Everything about the morning led me to one thing: I was finally out in the world again. "Ivy? Is that... is that really you?" I froze. I stood before a massive display of red apples. I turned around slowly. "Chloe?" I said. "Oh my god, it is you. I heard you moved away," Chloe said. She was fidgeting with her purse. "I did. I'm back for a bit," I replied. My hand on the cart tightened. "You look different," she said. Her eyes swept past my face. "I mean, you look good. Healthy." "I am healthy. Finally." "Ivy, look," Chloe stepped closer. "I’ve thought about you a lot. About high school." "You don't have to do this, Chloe. It's fine." "It’s not fine! I was a tool for tho
Dominic's Pov I sat in the airport terminal, staring at the gate. Everything my heart told me led me to one thing: I had to get back to her. "Is this seat taken?" a man asked, pointing to the chair next to mine. "No, go ahead," I said. I was acting calm compared to the turmoil within me. "Heading home or leaving it?" he asked. "Heading toward a chance," I replied. I felt the small velvet box in my pocket. I wanted to tell him I didn't care about the miles. I only wanted Ivy. "Flight 402 to Ivy’s city is now boarding," the intercom blared. I stood up. "That’s me." "Good luck with that chance, buddy," the man said. "Thanks. I’ll need it," I said. I felt like I was just a tool for my own hope now. I walked down the tunnel and met the flight attendant at the door. "Welcome aboard, sir. Seat 22B is just down the aisle." "Thank you," I said. My eyes stung as I tried to keep from tearing up. It was finally happening. I sat down and squeezed my eyes shut as the engines start
Dominic’s pov I was in the kitchen, trying to focus on a load of dishes I hadn’t gotten to last night. Water ran over plates, soap bubbles sticking to my hands. I hated that something as normal as washing dishes could calm me, but right now, I needed any distraction I could get.Ivy was somewhere
Ivy's Pov The lights in the youth center were flickering a little bit because a storm was moving in from the mountains and making the wind howl against the stone walls. I was putting the last of the acrylic paints back into the cabinet when I heard a soft tapping sound at the side door that led
Ivy povBy the time I dragged myself downstairs, I felt like a zombie. I couldn't even sleep, no appetite, just nerves sitting heavy in my chest. I’d barely made it to the dining room when my mom’s voice cut me off.“You look awful.”“Good morning to you too,” I muttered, sliding into a chair at th
Ivy pov “Say something,” I demanded, my back still against the wall.Dominic didn’t. He just stood there, looking at me like I was some puzzle piece that didn’t fit.“You can’t just..” I started.He cut me off, stepping forward again. “You really want this?”“Yes,” I said too quickly.His eyes nar







