That evening, was about to leave when she saw Celo stabdung there alone. She remembered his words ' These sldays you are avoiding me, Did i do anything wronnmg ?'
Stellar hesitated before approaching him, trying to steady her heartbeat as she stepped closer.
The night lights flickered against the quiet street, outlining Celo's figure as he leaned casually against a railing, hands tucked in his pockets like he carried no worries at all.
"Hey," she said softly.
His head lifted, and his calm gaze landed on her — deep, unreadable.
"Hey, Stellar."
"You good?" she asked, studying his face for a sign of the real truth behind those two words.
"I'm good," he replied with a slow nod. "You?"
"That's great," she murmured. "I'm good too."
Wind wrapped around them like a silent reminder of the space that always seemed to stretch between them. She bit her lip, then took a breath, letting truth push out the fear.
"You said I was avoiding you," she began, her voice quiet but firm. "So… I'm saying hi."
The corner of his mouth tugged slightly. "Thank you. Yeah, but all good." Then his eyes glinted mischievously. "Just don't forget who was your gateway. Haha."
She blinked. "My gateway?"
"Imagine seeing you at the Party and you wanted to leave without even saying hi to me," he added, shaking his head dramatically, like she had committed a crime against destiny.
"How?" she asked, eyebrow raised.
He shrugged lazily. "Never mind."
Stellar folded her arms, frustration bubbling. "You never helped me, honestly," she said, her voice cracking just a little. "But I tried to stay… because it was you."
His soft laugh floated between them. "Haha… it's cool."
But she didn't laugh. There was too much she had held in for too long.
"And about Party… it's not that I wanted to avoid you," she said.
"It's okay," he repeated, trying to brush it aside.
"No," she insisted. "You never want to talk to me. You always ignore me. You make me feel like I am forcing everything." Her eyes stung. "So… I gave up."
Celo turned fully toward her now. "Where?" he asked, like he was truly trying to understand.
"Do you remember the days I begged just to talk to you?" she whispered, a sadness she didn't plan on showing slipping through.
He sighed long and slow. "Let's focus on now… and tomorrow."
Stellar gave a small, sad smile. "You've always been the busy guy. I don't think that will change today."
"Stellar," he said, gentle and quiet. "Don't overthink."
"It's not overthinking," she said firmly.
"It's cool," he echoed, again — like some shield he always wore.
She let out a breath that trembled. "I've completely failed to understand you."
"It's cool," he said once more, eyes lowering. "Never mind."
She stepped closer, closing the gap he always left open.
"Can I ask a simple question? One," she said.
He lifted his eyes, amused. "Yes. Only one."
"Deal," she whispered. She swallowed nervously.
"I noticed that my presence doesn't give you peace. And when I stay away, that also bothers you." She locked her gaze with his, searching for the truth he always hid.
"What really gives you peace?"
Celo's expression softened into something raw almost vulnerable. He took a step closer, his voice a whisper only meant for her.
"You got it wrong, my darling."
Her heart skipped. "And you won't let me get it right."
He didn't look away this time. "I'm always happy to see you," he said carefully. "Take it that way."
"Then what you hate," she challenged gently, "is talking to me."
"I don't," he replied quickly. "Just… we never have a perfect time."
He said the right things.
But his actions… always pushed her away.
"Your words contradict your actions," Stellar said. "But… I'll take it like that anyway."
"Actions?" he asked, almost confused.
"You always push me away," she said, voice low. "Then pretend like you didn't."
His jaw tightened slightly. A tiny shift — but she noticed everything.
"I'm sorry for that too," he said. "I don't mean anything bad. Truly."
He stepped even closer. "I'm sorry where I hurt you… or pushed you away. I don't do it intentionally."
Her heartbeat softened. "Okay," she whispered. "That's fine."
Silence lingered… but it didn't feel sharp anymore. It felt like healing.
"Fine," she said, finally smiling. "We're good."
He nodded slowly — eyes still holding hers.
"Yes," he said quietly. "We're good."
But the air between them changed — thick with all the things they weren't brave enough to say yet.
One year Ago