The morning air feels colder than it should as I stand outside Luna's house, clutching the flowers and chocolates like they're some magic charm that might make everything better.

My stomach is twisted up, and my heart is hammering so hard I'm sure she'll be able to hear it before I even knock.

I shift from foot to foot, trying to gather the courage to move forward, but I keep imagining the look on her face if she slams the door in my face, the hurt and the betrayal that I put there.

I take a deep breath, holding the bouquet tighter. It's ridiculous, really, standing here with flowers this early like this is some cheesy romance movie where I can just show up and sweep her off her feet with an apology and a bunch of petals.

But I have to do something. I can't just let her go without trying.

I've never felt like this about anyone before and yeah, maybe I messed up beyond belief, but if there's even the smallest chance that she might forgive me then I can't let that go.

Finally, I step forward and knock. Once, twice then I wait. The seconds stretch out, each one longer than the last, until I hear footsteps approaching.

I hold my breath as the door opens, and there she is, standing there in a yellow, ugly satin pajama bottom with a tank top, looking like she just woke up.

For a moment, she just stares at me, blinking like she's not quite sure if I'm really here.

Then her eyes shift to the flowers and the chocolates, and something unreadable crosses her face. She doesn't say anything, doesn't make a move to invite me in or tell me to leave.

"Luna..." I start. "Can we talk?"

She doesn't respond, but she steps back, leaving the doorway open for me It's not exactly an invitation, but I'll take it. I walk inside, feeling out of place.

The house is empty and I figured her Mom and sister are both having early shifts this Saturday.

I hold the flowers out to her, but she just looks at them before crossing her arms, her expression guarded.

"What are you doing here, Naomi?" Her voice steady.

I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry.

"I-I wanted to apologize. Properly." I take a deep breath, forcing myself to keep going. "Look, I know I messed up. I know I hurt you, and I'm so sorry, Luna. That was never what I wanted."

She raises an eyebrow, and there's a bitterness in her eyes that I haven't seen before.

"Never what you wanted?" she echoes, crossing her arms a little tighter. "You played a game with me, Naomi. You made me feel like this was real, like we had something special. And all the while it was just a dare. Do you even know what that feels like?"

Her words hit hard, sharper than anything I'd imagined she might say.

"I know," I say, my voice shaking. "I know it was wrong but I need you to know that I didn't plan on any of this happening. I didn't expect to feel the way I do about you now." I take a shaky breath, looking down at my hands. "The dare...it was stupid. I was stupid. But the time we spent together-that wasn't fake, Luna. Not for me."

Luna looks away, her jaw tight.

"You don't get it, do you?" her voice is laced with frustration. "You can say it's real now, but that doesn't change what started it. How am I supposed to believe anything you say after that?"

I step forward, but she takes a step back, her body language a wall I'm afraid to break through.

"I know I don't deserve your trust. I get that. But I'm here because I want to try to make things right. I'll do whatever it takes to show you that I care. I don't want this to end because of one stupid, awful mistake."

She doesn't reply right away, just stares at the floor.

The is thick and loaded, until she finally speaks again.

"I really liked you, Naomi. Do you know how rare that is for me? I don't just let people in like that. I trusted you...and you...did whatever the fuck you wanted."

Each word sinks into me, guilt sitting in my chest like a stone.

"I know. I know you have every reason to hate me right now. I just..." I hesitate, struggling to find the right words. "Luna, if I could take it all back, I would. If I could just...do it all over, I would. Without the dare. Without any of that. Just me and you."

She lets out a sarcastic laugh.

"Well, we don't get that, do we? There's no do-over button."

I bite my lip, struggling to keep my composure. I hadn't expected this to be easy, but hearing her say it, seeing the pain I caused so plainly on her face, it's brutal.

I nod, swallowing back the tears stinging my eyes.

"You're right. There's no do-over. But if you can give me one more chance, I swear I won't let you down. I know it might take time, but...please, just give me a chance to prove that this wasn't just a game."

Her gaze drifts from my face to the flowers I'm still clutching awkwardly, and she sighs, almost like she's disappointed in herself for caring at all.

"I don't know, Naomi," she says, and the sadness in her voice makes my chest ache. "I can't just forget what happened."

"I'm not asking you to forget," I say quickly, desperate. "I just... I want to earn your forgiveness. I don't want you to go through the rest of high school thinking you were just some...some checkmark on a stupid dare list." I pause, my voice dropping to almost a whisper. "I want you to know that you're more than that to me. A lot more."

Luna looks away again, and for a moment, I don't think she's going to answer at all.

"I don't know if I can trust you again. And I don't even know if I want to."

Her words sting, but I can't blame her. She's giving voice to exactly what I feared-that I've hurt her so badly, she might never want to give me another chance.

But she hasn't told me to leave yet. She hasn't closed the door on me. So maybe, there's still hope.

"I understand," I say quietly. "I understand if you need time. I'll give you all the space you need. But I'll be here, whenever you're ready. If you're ever ready."

She doesn't respond, her gaze distant, her thoughts somewhere I can't follow. All I can do is wait and hope that someday, she'll forgive me.

She finally looks back at me. "I think...I need some space right now. Time."

I nod, forcing a small smile even though it hurts.

"I get it. I'll respect that. I hope you know that I'm sorry. Truly. And I care about you, Luna."

She studies me for a moment, her expression unreadable. "Okay."

It's not a promise, but it's not a rejection either. It's the slimmest thread of hope, and I hold onto it with everything I've got.

As I turn to leave, my heart feels heavy, yet somehow lighter than it was before.

The ball is in her court, whatever her decision will be, I will understand.

I just needed her to know that I care for her.