••• 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝐹𝒾𝓋𝑒 •••
Luke

{{ Down To Earth - Justin Bieber }}

    I rested my head against the armrest as I lay on the couch in my father's hospital room, waiting for him to wake up. My mind was a whirlwind of questions about Aria and wondering where she'd gone after I got pulled away by the doctor. She'd probably only come to comfort Corinna and my mom, but a small part of me hoped she'd been there for me.

    The quiet click of the door opening pulled me out of my thoughts, and I sat up to see Corinna stepping in. She gave me a small wave, closing the door behind her, and I hesitantly waved back. "I'm not here to fight with you, Luke. I just came to check on Uncle Bryan." She said softly, moving to my dad's bedside and placing a hand on his.

    Our dads were brothers, best friends growing up—just like we used to be. We were the same age, so we'd grown up inseparable, she was the only girl in her family of five older brothers and me an only child. It had always felt like it was us against the world.

    Watching her with my dad, I couldn't help but notice how much she'd changed over the last five years. Her blonde hair was now cut into a short bob with brown highlights, and she looked older, more self-assured. Gone was the wild cousin who always kept everyone on their toes, the one who would get us into mischief. She glanced up and caught me staring, then sat down across from me.

  "So, how've you been?" I asked, clearing my throat. She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms.

  "Well, aside from you breaking everyone's heart when you decided you wanted nothing to do with us, I've been good." She replied with forced cheerfulness. Her words hit hard, and guilt settled over me.

  "Corinna, listen—"

  "No, Luke. The time for listening was five years ago. You left us like we meant nothing to you. I lost my best friend, and poor Aria went through so much after you were gone." She sighed, and I felt my brows knit together at the mention of Aria.

  "What do you mean? What happened to her after I left?" I asked, a sense of worry creeping in.

  "It's not my place to tell, Luke," She said, shaking her head. "But what everyone wants to know—what Aria and I've been wanting to know—is why you left. What happened? Because, honestly, looking at you now, I'm relieved you left Aria before you could drag her into...whatever mess you've gotten yourself into." She looked at me with such disappointment that I had to fight the urge to shrink into myself. My anxiety spiked as she waited for a response, but I couldn't find the words.

  "Corinna, I... I don't know why I left the way I did. I know that's not the answer you want, but it's the truth. What I do know is that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all the pain I caused, and I'm going to spend the rest of my life trying to make it right." My gaze drifted to my dad, lying peacefully in his bed. Just knowing he was still here gave me hope that I might find a way to make amends.

    Corinna's expression softened a bit, and she tilted her head. "So... you're staying?" She asked, disbelief evident in her voice.

  I nodded, swallowing hard. "You were right about me being a mess, Corinna. Ever since I left, I've been drinking and using anything I could to numb the pain I've felt in my chest. But I promised God that if my dad got through his surgery, I'd quit drinking, stop taking drugs, and do my best to make things right with everyone I hurt."

  Corinna's eyes widened, and for a moment, she just stared at me. "But... what if it's too late, Luke? What if we don't forgive you?" She asked quietly.

  I shrugged, smiling faintly as I looked at my dad. "Dad said he'll always love me, and I'm going to make it up to all of you. I promise." I saw Corinna's expression shift from a scowl to something closer to a smile, and she nodded slowly.

  "You've got a lot to make up for, cousin. It's not gonna be easy." She said with a small chuckle.

  I grinned, feeling a weight lift slightly. "You know me. I'm always up for a challenge." We laughed, and for the first time in years, I felt a glimmer of hope, a small patch of the ache in my chest beginning to ease. I knew my dad would forgive me instantly—he's just that kind of man. I was already starting to mend things with Corinna. Now, the only people left were my old best friend Calvin—and most importantly, Aria.

    I would do whatever it took to win her back.