Mirabel hadn't always been anxious. Once upon a time, she'd been the confident, bubbly, outgoing child, ready to take on the world. But all of that had changed when her family had moved from their hometown in Texas to New York City. Suddenly, she was the new kid, trying to fit in and make friends in a school where everyone already had their own cliques. She'd been shy and reserved at first, not sure how to handle the new environment. Having Lucas and his friends there helped a lot. And joining the band and becoming great friends with the other students in the band also helped her gain confidence and come out of her shell. But there were still moments when she felt like the anxious, insecure girl she used to be, especially when faced with new challenges or situations outside of her comfort zone.

One such challenge was her relationship with Lucas. While she'd been dreaming about it since she'd first met him, the reality of it was still a bit intimidating. After all, he was her best friend, and she didn't want to mess anything up by taking things too fast or not giving their relationship the time and attention it deserved. She also felt the pressure of being Lucas' first girlfriend. She didn't want to disappoint him, or make him regret choosing her. Plus she never been in a relationship before. She doesn't know what she's doing, and is afraid that she might mess something up.

These thoughts were swirling through her head as she sat next to Lucas on his couch, watching a movie together. They'd been dating for a few weeks now, and everything was going great. So why did she still feel so anxious? She was supposed to be enjoying this, not worrying about every little thing. But her mind was relentless, filling her head with doubts and insecurities. She tried to push them aside, focusing on the movie and the warmth of Lucas' hand in hers. But the anxiety lingered, refusing to be ignored. She chewed on her lower lip nervously, mindlessly twirling a piece of hair between her fingers with her free hand, a habit she had recently gained with the anxiety returning much worse than before. She hated herself for feeling this way, knowing that Lucas deserved her full attention and affection. But she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by her own thoughts and fears.

Lucas could sense Mirabel's unease beside him, despite the movie playing in front of them. He gently squeezes her hand, turning his head to look at her with concern in his eyes. "Hey, mi sol, is everything okay?" He asked softly, his voice filled with warmth and reassurance.

Mirabel forces a smile, trying to push down her anxious thoughts. "Yeah, everything's fine." She replied, though her voice wavered slightly as she avoided eye contact. She continued twirling her hair nervously, unable to shake the feeling of dread that was gnawing at her insides.

Lucas furrows his brows, not entirely convinced by Mirabel's response. He scoots closer to her on the couch, his arm wrapping around her shoulders in a comforting gesture. "You know you can tell me anything, right?" He said gently, his eyes searching hers for any sign of what might be bothering her. "I'm here for you, no matter what."

Mirabel let out a shaky breath, feeling a lump form in her throat as she struggled to find the words to express what she was feeling. She wanted to tell Lucas everything, to pour out her fears and anxieties and hope that he could somehow make them go away. But she was afraid of burdening him, of making him worry about her when he had his own things to deal with. And what if he didn't understand? What if he thought she was being silly for feeling this way? The thought made her chest tighten with fear, and she felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. She blinked them away, not wanting to cry in front of him.

"I know that, sweetheart, I just..." She starts, her voice trembling as she tried to compose herself. "I'm worried that I'm not good enough for you. I know that's silly, but...I can't shake this feeling that I'm going to mess things up somehow. And I don't want to disappoint you, or make you regret being with me." She admits, her voice barely above a whisper as she finally met his gaze, her eyes filled with vulnerability and insecurity. Her gaze went to the clock on the wall in the living room, noticing it was getting late. That was another excuse to leave. "I should probably get home, it's getting late." She pulled away and stood up, turning away from him as she blinked her eyes rapidly to make the tears go away.

Lucas' heart ached at Mirabel's words, hating to see her so upset and feeling insecure. He had no idea that she was feeling that way, and he cursed himself for not noticing sooner. He should have realized that the sudden change in her demeanor had something to do with him. Guilt washed over him as he thought about how he might have made her feel, not having known that she had such intense feelings toward their relationship.

"Mirabel, wait," He said, standing up and quickly crossing the room to stand in front of her, gently placing his hands on her shoulders to stop her from leaving. "Please don't go," He pleaded softly, his heart breaking at the sight of her tears. "I'm sorry if I've made you feel this way. That was never my intention. You mean everything to me, and I would never want you to think that you're not good enough for me."

Mirabel sniffled, her shoulders shaking while she tried to hold back her tears. She felt overwhelmed by Lucas' words, the warmth of his touch and the sincerity in his voice breaking through the walls of her anxiety and self-doubt. She looked up at him, her eyes shining with tears as she searched his gaze for any sign of doubt or hesitation. But all she found was love and understanding, and it filled her with a sense of relief and gratitude.

"I'm sorry," She whispers, her voice choked with emotion as she reached up to wipe away her tears. "I didn't mean to ruin our night like this. I just...I'm scared, Lucas. I've never felt this way about anyone before, and I'm terrified of messing it up. I'm sorry, I should head home." She stepped away from him, her chest tightening as she tried to suppress the panic rising within her. She knew she was being irrational, but she couldn't help the way she felt. She had always been prone to anxiety, and the stress of starting a new relationship had triggered a full-blown attack.

Lucas watched helplessly as Mirabel hurried out the door, his heart sinking as she disappeared into the night. He wanted so badly to follow her, to tell her that she had nothing to worry about, that he was just as scared and inexperienced as she was, and that they could figure things out together. But he knew that it wouldn't help, and that she needed some space to process her feelings. He could only hope that she would eventually return, and that they could work through this together.

****

When Mirabel got home, the dam burst. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sank to the floor, her chest heaving with sobs. She felt completely overwhelmed by her emotions, her body shaking with the force of her cries. She felt foolish for running away from Lucas, but her anxiety had been too much to bear. She had felt suffocated by the intensity of his gaze, the weight of his words and his promise that he would always be there for her. It had been too much for her to handle, and she had fled in an attempt to protect herself from further pain and heartache.

"Mirabel?" A voice called out as footsteps approached. She glances up and somehow with her watery eyes she saw her mother walking out of the living room with concern written all over her face. "Oh, mija." Beatrix said softly, rushing over to her crying daughter and pulling her into a hug.

"Mama," Mirabel sobs, burying her face in her mother's shoulder as she clung to her desperately. "I'm so stupid. Lucas deserves better than me." She replies, starting to hiccup during her sobs. "Someone who isn't so afraid and insecure. I ran out on him, a-and I'm sure I hurt his feelings. W-What's wrong with me? He was just being so sweet and caring, a-and I panicked. I'm a horrible girlfriend. I'm ruining everything." She felt like her self doubt and fears were consuming her from the inside out. She felt like she was letting Lucas down, like she wasn't living up to his expectations of her. But she didn't know how to silence the voices in her head, the ones that told her she wasn't good enough, that she was undeserving of his love and affection.

Beatrix held her daughter close, rubbing her back soothingly as she listened to her pour out her heartache and insecurities. She hated seeing Mirabel in so much pain, knowing that she was struggling with her own demons. But she also knew that Mirabel was stronger than she gave herself credit for, and that she would get through this with time and support.

"Mija, listen to me," Beatrix said gently, pulling back to look Mirabel in the eyes. "You are not stupid, and you are not a horrible girlfriend. You are human, and it's okay to feel scared and insecure sometimes. But you have to remember that Lucas loves you for who you are, flaws and all. He chose you because he sees something special in you, something worth fighting for. And if he's half the man I think he is, he'll understand that you need some time to work through your feelings."

Mirabel sniffles, tears still rolling down her cheeks as she listened to her mother's words. "But what if he doesn't? What if he decides that I'm too much trouble and breaks up with me? What if he realizes that he deserves someone better?"

Beatrix cupped Mirabel's face in her hands, forcing her to meet her gaze. "Listen to me, mija," She says firmly. "You cannot let fear dictate your actions. You have to trust in yourself and in your relationship with Lucas. If he truly cares about you, he will understand and support you through this. And if he doesn't, then he doesn't deserve you. You are a strong, beautiful young woman, and anyone would be lucky to have you in their life. Do you understand?"

Mirabel nods, sniffling as she wipes away her tears. "Yes, mama," She whispers, her voice still trembling. Her sobs had subsided by now, but she still felt overwhelmed by the emotions swirling within her. "Thank you."

Beatrix smiles warmly, pulling her daughter into a tight embrace once more. "You're welcome, sweetheart," She replies, her voice soft and comforting. "I love you so much. I just want you to be happy."

Mirabel closes her eyes, savoring her mother's warmth and love. "I know, mama." Her heart aches at the thought of Lucas, and how she'd left him alone without an explanation. "I love you, too." She's quiet for a few moments before asking, "How am I ever gonna face him again?" She was dreading seeing him again after she ran out on him. He probably feels hurt and confused, and she didn't know how to face him after what happened.

Beatrix chuckles softly, kissing the top of her head before releasing her from the embrace. "You'll face him the same way you've faced every other challenge in your life: with courage and honesty. You'll talk to him, explain how you're feeling, and listen to what he has to say. Communication is key in any relationship, and I have no doubt that you and Lucas will be able to work through this together." She stands up and offers her hand to her daughter. "But for now, let's get you cleaned up. I'll make some tea, and we can watch one of those movies you like so much."

Mirabel let her mother help her up, and the two make their way to the kitchen. As the water begins to boil, Mirabel glanced over at the clock on the stove. It's nearly ten pm, and her stomach twisted at the thought of Lucas sitting alone, wondering where she is and why she left. She blinked away the tears that are threatening to return, silently praying that he can forgive her for her moment of weakness.

****

Lucas was worried sick about Mirabel. He hadn't heard from her since she'd left his house hours earlier, and he was beginning to fear the worst. He knew she had a tendency to panic and run away when things got overwhelming, but he had never seen her like this before. His heart ached for her, and he longed to hold her in his arms and tell her that everything was going to be okay. But he couldn't do that if she wasn't willing to talk to him, and he was beginning to lose hope that she ever would.

He couldn't sleep. It was around two am and he was still wide awake, staring at the ceiling and waiting for his phone to light up with a message from her. His heart sank every time it didn't happen. He tossed and turned restlessly, unable to shake the feeling of dread that had settled over him like a dark cloud. He felt helpless and alone, wishing there was something he could do to ease Mirabel's pain and reassure her that he was there for her, no matter what.

As the hours ticked by, Lucas eventually drifted off into an uneasy sleep, his dreams haunted by visions of Mirabel's tear-streaked face and desperate pleas for forgiveness. He woke up several times throughout the night, each time hoping to find a message from her waiting for him on his phone. But each time, he was met with disappointment and frustration.

When morning finally arrived, Lucas dragged himself out of bed and made his way downstairs to the kitchen, where his parents were already up and making breakfast. They exchanged concerned glances as they noticed the dark circles under his eyes and the somber expression on his face.

"Lucas, sweetheart, is everything okay?" His mother asked, her voice filled with concern.

Lucas forces a smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine, ma." He replies, though his voice sounded hollow and distant. "I just didn't get much sleep last night." He couldn't help but check his phone again in hope. Nothing. His heart dropped, and he quickly shoved the device into his pocket. His mom didn't say anything, but her expression was full of worry.

"Did you have a fun night with Mirabel last night?" His mother asked, her tone carefully neutral as she tried to gauge his reaction.

Lucas couldn't bring himself to answer, his throat closing up at the mere mention of her name. He looked down, not meeting his mother's gaze as he struggled to hold back his emotions. "I..." He clears his throat, blinking away the tears that were starting to form in his eyes. "She left early...I don't know why. She mentioned something about being afraid of messing things up. She's been acting strange lately, and I'm not sure why." He confessed, his voice thick with emotion. He felt bad that he was dumping his feelings on his mom, but he couldn't help it. He needed to talk to someone about this, and he knew his dad would be busy back at the ranch in Texas. He didn't want to bother him.

His mother's face fell, her eyes filling with sadness and sympathy. She crosses the kitchen, pulling him into a warm embrace. "Oh, my poor baby," She murmurs, stroking his hair comfortingly. "I'm so sorry, honey. I know how much you care about her."

Lucas couldn't stop the tears from flowing now, clinging to his mother as he sobbed quietly. He was usually the strong one, the one who kept his emotions in check and protected the people he cared about. But in that moment, he felt utterly helpless and lost. He'd never felt this way about anyone before, and he had no idea what to do.

"Mom, I..." He started, his voice breaking as he struggled to find the words. "I don't know what to do. I love her so much, and I can't bear the thought of losing her. But if she doesn't want to be with me anymore, then I have to respect that. I just...I don't understand what went wrong."

His mother pulls back, gently cupping his face in her hands as she looked him in the eyes. "Love is never easy, sweetheart. Sometimes, it's messy and complicated and downright painful. But it's also the most beautiful thing in the world. You have to fight for it, Lucas. You have to show Mirabel that you're not going anywhere, no matter how hard it gets. I'm sure she's scared, she has never been in a relationship, right?"

Lucas nods, wiping away his tears with the back of his hand. "Yeah, she's never been in a relationship before. I guess that's part of what's scaring her. And I get it, I do. I feel the same way at times, I'm in the same boat as her. But I just wish she would talk to me about it, you know? I hate feeling like I'm in the dark, not knowing what's going on in her head."

His mother nods in understanding, squeezing his hand reassuringly. "I know, honey. But you have to give her some space. She's probably feeling overwhelmed right now, and she needs time to sort through her feelings. Just be patient with her, and let her know that you're there for her whenever she's ready to talk."

Lucas takes a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging inside him. "You're right, mom. I'll give her some space and wait for her to reach out to me. I just hope she knows how much I love her, and that I'll do whatever it takes to make things right between us."

His mother smiles warmly, brushing a stray hair away from his forehead. "She knows, honey. Trust me, she knows. And she loves you just as much as you love her. You two will get through this together, I'm sure of it."

Lucas nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope flicker to life inside him. He may not have all the answers right now, but he knows that with his mother's support and his love for Mirabel, they'll find a way to overcome whatever obstacles lie in their path. And as long as they have each other, nothing else matters.

****

Mirabel was a wreck. She had spent the entire night tossing and turning, unable to shake the feeling of guilt and anxiety that plagued her. She kept wondering whether she should message Lucas or not, but then she worried that she would wake him up. So, she stayed up all night, unable to sleep. She found herself sitting out on her balcony, watching the sunset with her knees tucked up against her chest and her chin resting on her knees. She wore flannel pj bottoms and an oversized hoodie which was one of Lucas' she had stole before. It smelt like him and brought her comfort, but also made her heart ache. She missed him so much.

The cool night air wrapped around her like a comforting embrace, but it offered little solace against the turmoil raging inside her. She felt torn between reaching out to Lucas and giving him the space he needed. Every fiber of her being longed to hear his voice, to feel his arms around her, to know that everything was going to be okay. But she was afraid of making things worse, of driving him away for good.

She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply while she tried to steady her racing thoughts. She could still see his face, his eyes filled with hurt and confusion, as she had fled from him the night before. Her chest tightened at the memory, and she squeezed her eyes shut even tighter, as if she could somehow erase it from her mind. Her anxiety had never been this bad, and she felt like she was being swallowed whole by her own fears and insecurities. She didn't know how much longer she could hold on.

Just as the first rays of dawn were beginning to break over the horizon, Mirabel felt a pair of strong, familiar arms wrap around her waist. She froze, her heart leaping into her throat as a wave of relief washed over her when she realized who it was. Lucas.

"Hey," He whispers, his voice soft and husky as he rested his chin on her shoulder. "Mind if I join you?"

Mirabel couldn't speak, couldn't find the words to express the mix of emotions swirling inside her. So instead, she simply nodded, leaning into his embrace while tears rolled down her cheeks. She had never been more grateful for his presence, his solid and steady support. He was here, he hadn't abandoned her, and she knew in that moment that everything was going to be okay. Lucas held her close, his arms wrapping protectively around her as they watched the sun rise together. The sky was painted in shades of pink and orange, the golden rays of sunlight dancing across the clouds. It was a breathtaking sight, but even more so because Lucas was here with her. He was the missing piece, the one who made everything better.

"W-What are you doing here?" She murmured, her hand absentmindedly twirling a piece of her hair between her fingers nervously. She didn't check her phone to see if he tried calling her or texted her. And she didn't expect him to drive to her house that early.

"I had trouble sleeping...I needed to see you so I came over. I climbed up the tree to get up here. I'm surprised you didn't hear me." He replied, nuzzling the crook of her neck affectionately.

Mirabel giggles softly, shaking her head in amusement. "I was too caught up in my own thoughts to notice. I'm sorry I left so abruptly yesterday." She whispers, her voice still thick with emotion. "I...I was just scared. Scared of messing things up, scared of not living up to your expectations. And I know it's not really an excuse, but-"

"It's okay." Lucas says gently, cutting her off as he presses a kiss to her cheek. "I understand. And for the record, you could never mess things up with me. I love you, and nothing will ever change that. I just want you to know you can talk to me about anything. Especially when you're feeling scared or insecure. I want to be there for you, to help you through those tough times. Because that's what couples do, they lean on each other."

Mirabel's heart swelled at his words, and she felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew he was telling the truth, that he really did love her and want to be there for her. And in that moment, she realized that's all she really needed. His love and support. "Thank you, Lucas." She says softly, turning to look at him. He steps back, allowing her to stand up and face him. She cups his face in her hands, her eyes shining with tears. "I love you so much. And I'm sorry for running away from you yesterday. It was selfish and cowardly, and I should have just talked to you about my fears instead of letting them consume me."

"It's okay." Lucas smiles softly, leaning into her touch. "I know you're not used to relationships, and that you're still learning. I am too. You're my first girlfriend too, remember? We're in this together, Mirabel. And I promise to be patient with you, to listen to you, and to support you no matter what. Because you mean everything to me, and I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy."

Mirabel's heart swells with love and gratitude as she gazes into Lucas' eyes. She feels like the luckiest girl in the world to have him by her side, to have someone who understands her and accepts her for who she is. "I'm so lucky to have you, Lucas." She murmurs, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for always being there for me. I love you, and I'm sorry I'm so difficult."

"You're not difficult, you're perfect." Lucas chuckles softly, pulling her close and holding her tightly. Her heart fluttered at his words as she buries her face in his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. She had never felt more loved and cherished than she did in his arms, and she silently vowed to do everything in her power to make him feel the same way. "I love you, baby. Nothing will ever change that." He whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. They stand there in silence for a moment, wrapped up in each other's embrace as the sun continues to rise, casting a warm glow over the world below. In that moment, all their fears and insecurities fade away, replaced by a deep and abiding love that they know will carry them through whatever challenges life may throw their way.

Butterflies had swarmed her stomach when he called her baby. She absolutely loved it when he called her mi sol or other pet names in Spanish, but hearing him call her "baby" sent a shiver down her spine in the best way possible. There was just something about the way he used other pet names that was so incredibly sweet, and it made her feel like the most special girl in the world.

"I love you too." She mumbles, her lips grazing his neck. "So, so much."

"I have a surprise for you." Lucas said suddenly as he pulled back. She furrowed her eyebrows and tilts her head to the side, her curiosity piqued. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box, and Mirabel's breath caught in her throat.

"Lucas..." She said warningly, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Relax, mi amor. It's not a ring." He chuckles, handing her the box. "Not yet, anyway."

Mirabel felt a mixture of relief and disappointment, but her heart fluttered as she slowly opened the box. Her breath hitched as she gazed at the beautiful, dainty gold necklace with a sun charm attached to it.

"I thought it was fitting since I call you mi sol which means my sun and that's what you are. My sun, my light, my everything." He smiles, taking the necklace from the box and unclasping it. He places the chain around her neck and fastens it, his fingers grazing her skin and causing goosebumps to erupt all over her body. "And I know you haven't been feeling the greatest lately, so I wanted to get you something to remind you that you're my sun, and no matter how dark things get, you'll always have me."

Tears fill Mirabel's eyes as she reaches up to touch the necklace, the golden sun charm glinting in the morning light. It was absolutely perfect, and she felt a lump forming in her throat as she realized just how much he truly loved and cared for her. "It's beautiful." She says softly, her voice filled with emotion. "Luke, thank you so much. It's perfect, and it means the world to me." She throws her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. "I love you more than words can say."

Lucas returns the embrace, holding her close as they stand there together, basking in the warmth of their love. He presses a kiss to her forehead, his heart overflowing with happiness and gratitude. "I'm so glad you like it, mi sol." He whispers, his voice filled with love and devotion. "And I promise to always be here for you, to be your light in the darkness and your rock in the storm. Because you're my everything, Mirabel. And I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy."

She smiles fondly at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears as she gazes up at him. "You already make me happy, Lu. You've been nothing but amazing to me, and I couldn't ask for a better boyfriend. Thank you for being patient with me, and for loving me even though I'm such a mess."

"You're not a mess." Lucas chuckles, cupping her face in his hands and leaning forward to peck her lips. "If you're a mess then so am I. We can be a mess together, okay?"

Mirabel giggles, nodding her head as she leans into his touch. "Deal." She murmured and she leaned forward to close the gap between them, capturing his lips in a soft, sweet kiss. In that moment, Mirabel knew that no matter what happened in the future, as long as she had Lucas by her side, everything would be okay. Even with her anxiety and self-doubt, she knew that their love was strong enough to withstand any obstacle that came their way. And she wouldn't have it any other way.

A/N gotta love original chapters <3 ugh mirabel & lucas make me so happy, i love them so much, idc how fast i made them get together, it was worth it