Amara didn't sleep well that night.
No matter how many times she turned on her bed, her mind refused to rest.
Kieran was back.
That one thought alone was enough to disturb everything she had carefully built over the past year.
She had moved on.
Or at least… she thought she had.
But seeing him again?
Hearing his voice?
Looking into his eyes like nothing had changed?
It brought everything rushing back.
"You couldn't stay away."
His words echoed in her mind.
She closed her eyes tightly.
"Stop," she whispered to herself.
This wasn't the same situation.
She wasn't the same girl.
And she refused to go back to something that had already hurt her once.
The next morning, she got ready earlier than usual.
She needed a distraction.
Something to keep her mind busy.
But the moment she stepped onto campus—
She felt it.
That familiar awareness.
And just like she expected…
He was there.
Leaning against the wall near her lecture hall.
Waiting.
Her steps slowed slightly.
Just for a second.
Then she kept walking.
"Amara."
His voice stopped her.
She closed her eyes briefly before turning around.
"What?" she asked.
Her tone wasn't rude.
But it wasn't soft either.
It was careful.
Guarded.
Kieran noticed immediately.
"I've been trying to talk to you," he said.
"And I've been trying to avoid that," she replied.
That hit.
But he didn't step back this time.
"I deserve that," he admitted.
Amara folded her arms slightly.
"Yes. You do."
Silence.
But unlike before, this silence wasn't comfortable.
It was filled with everything they hadn't said.
"I'm not here to make things difficult for you," Kieran continued.
"Then don't," she replied quickly.
Her answer came too fast.
Too sharp.
And for the first time…
He saw it.
The hurt.
Not obvious.
Not loud.
But still there.
"I know I hurt you," he said quietly.
Amara looked away.
"You don't get to come back and say that like it fixes anything."
"I'm not trying to fix it," he said again.
"Then what do you want, Kieran?" she asked, her voice tightening slightly.
That question hung between them.
He stepped closer.
Not too close.
But enough.
"You," he said.
Her heart betrayed her again.
Just one beat.
Just one moment.
But she quickly pushed it down.
"That's not something you can just ask for," she said.
"I'm not asking," he replied softly.
"I'm trying."
Amara shook her head.
"You didn't try before."
"I know."
"You left."
"I know."
"You didn't even say goodbye properly."
That one…
That one hit deeper.
Kieran looked down briefly.
"I thought it would be easier for you."
Amara let out a small, almost disbelieving laugh.
"For me?"
"Yes."
"You don't get to decide what's easier for me," she said.
Her voice wasn't loud.
But it was firm.
And that made him realize something.
She wasn't the same.
Not at all.
"I made a mistake," he admitted.
Amara looked at him.
"And now you're back to correct it?"
"If you'll let me."
Silence.
This time…
It felt different.
Not heavy.
Not painful.
But uncertain.
Because this wasn't just about feelings anymore.
It was about trust.
And trust?
That was harder to rebuild than love.
Amara took a small step back.
"I don't know if I can do this again," she said honestly.
Kieran nodded slowly.
"I understand."
That wasn't what she expected.
"No pressure," he added quietly.
"I'll take whatever you give me."
That made her pause.
Because for the first time…
He wasn't walking away.
He was staying.
And somehow…
That was just as scary.