POV- Lucas
There she is. My Acacia. Soft like spring, a delicate beauty that protects itself with thorns. That wave in her hair still reminds me of warm air brushing against my skin- the kind that always made me feel safe, made me feel like I was home again.
Never in my life did I imagine I would meet her again. Not like this. Not when everything between us had already slipped through my fingers. And yet, here she is, standing just a few steps away. For a moment, I couldn't breathe. My heart was ramming violently against my ribcage and my feet were moving forward on their own, like some part of me still believed I had the right to go to her.
The closer I got, the more I felt her gaze land on me. Those eyes, crystal-clear and ocean-deep, always so painfully pure they pull me in even when I try to stay away. And just as I caught that shimmer in her lashes, those tears waiting to fall, something inside me shattered quietly.
My heart felt heavy, like a stone sinking deeper into quicksand with every step. Even though my body screamed at me to stop, to reach for her, to wrap her in a hug and never let go, my mind reminded me of all the reasons I shouldn't.
Then the tears began to fall. Slowly, silently. One after another. I lost count of how many, but each one felt like it landed straight on my chest. And I hated myself for still standing still.
I knew it then, like I always did. I wasn't the right person for her. Not back then. Maybe not even now. But just for one selfish second, I wished I could erase everything and run to her like nothing had changed. Like I still had a chance.
But I didn't.
So I looked at her one last time with eyes full of longing and walked past her, pretending not to see the heartbreak I caused. Pretending not to fall apart all over again.
"Brother, what are you staring at?"
Emily's voice pulled me back. She waved a hand in front of my face.
I blinked and turned my head away from Acacia, forcing a soft, empty smile at my sister.
"Have you lost your mind standing there? I can flick your forehead if that'll wake you up," she teased, raising her little finger.
I flicked her forehead instead.
"Don't try to act cheeky now that you've grown up," I said, laughing as she pouted.
"Let's go." I pulled her gently to my side.
Meanwhile: Rudy's POV (Before the Reunion)
Rudy stepped off the flight, her eyes scanning the airport crowd as she searched for Rosie and Acacia. Just as she turned toward the waiting area, her gaze caught someone familiar.
"Oh my gosh, is that Lucas?" she whispered, squinting to be sure.
There he was. And he wasn't alone.
A girl walked beside him, close enough that Rudy could see Lucas's arm looped gently over her shoulders.
Her jaw dropped. "Wait… is that his girlfriend?"
She leaned forward slightly, trying to get a better look. But before she could move any closer, Lucas gently pulled the girl in and turned away, disappearing into the crowd.
Rudy debated chasing after him to satisfy her nosiness, but then remembered Rosie and Acacia were probably already looking for her.
"Shoot. Rudy, now's not the time to be a busybody," she muttered, lightly slapping her own cheek.
Then she spotted them across the terminal. Her face lit up.
"There they are!" she smiled brightly and shouted, "Baby! Rosie!"
Author's Note ❤️
Hi, this is my very first novel, and I know there's still so much I have to learn and improve on, but I truly hope you're enjoying the story so far.
I'll keep doing my best to bring this world to life, and I'll be needing your support as I go along. Thank you so much for being here with me. ❤️