_[lowkey surprised if you made it this far.]_

_[cut scene immediately from end of pt2]_

He spoke first.

“You got taller.”

I nodded sizing him up. My hands trembled. I was so not ready for this.

“You too.”

Awkward didn’t even begin to describe how I felt.

Ezra bit his lip and uncertainty flickered in his eyes. I was sure my look betrayed a similar sentiment. He looked away.

“Care to join me?”

My breathing hitched not sure if that was a good idea but my heart’s a traitor and began to beat faster. Slowly, I walked up the steps and leaned cautiously against the railing next to him. Silence descended upon us. He still wouldn’t meet my eyes so I sought an anchor at my feet.

“I’m sorry for my behavior tonight.” My eyes snapped up to his but he stared down the sunset. I laughed without humor.

“You’re apologizing to me?” He met my gaze with an open expression raw with something before he looked away again. I sighed.

“Ezra. . .I’m the one who should be sorry. The way I left. . . It wasn’t right and I just—I’m sorry.”

“Then why. . .?” His gaze finally met mine and held it. I almost wish he hadn’t. They were raw with anguish. “Why didn’t you ever try to reach out or—“

“I did.”

He stilled.

“I wrote 13 letters, 62 emails, and 386 texts.”

His eyes welled with confusion.

Talking to my feet was easier, so to my feet I said, “I never sent them. I didn’t know how, I didn’t know—I just didn’t know.”

Ezra leaned back in his heels.

“I didn’t know either I guess. I didn’t think you’d want me…wouldn’t want me to reach out the way things left off.”

I nodded blinking rapidly.

“I’m sorry Ezra. For everything. I should’ve been better. At a lot of things.”

He looked at the space between us.

“I’m sorry too.”

Why did this feel like goodbye again? Only this time I didn’t want goodbye. But, wasn’t that him last time? It was my turn to let him go. To see him go and do the things that he wanted. The things that made him happy. To let go of my everything. The way I was once his. Cruel, the turn of events. But he didn’t deserve silence again. I would try to be his friend. If he wanted me. I swallowed my sorrow.

“She’s pretty by the way.”

Ezra brought his eyes to mine at the sudden change in topic. “Mia?”

I nodded not trusting my voice.

He frowned. “Yeah, she is.”

My gut wrenched. My eyes welling I stared at the spot the sun had dipped below the horizon bring a chill in the late spring night air. I shivered.

“You’ll have to tell me where you met her. She seems really nice and she seemed to make you relaxed which is nice to see.”

Ezra spoke softly. “Liv.” But, I was scared he would tell me he didn’t want me in his life at all, especially his life involving Mia so I pressed on. I would show him I could just be a friend. Be his best friend again.

“We should totally double. I could probably find someone to go with. Or we could just hang out. I’d love to get to know her and—“

“_Liv_.” Ezra grabbed my hand stopping the words in my throat.

“Yes?”

“I don’t like Mia like that.”

My heart stuttered. “You don’t?”

He didn’t pull his hand away. “I tried. Believe me I tried. But she was never—she couldn’t be—she wasn’t. . .my best friend.” He ran a frustrated hand through his hair.

Hope blossomed and warmed my toes. But fear clouded my heart.

“Oh.”

I looked steadfastly at my shoes.

Ezra shifted.

“So what now?” I wondered.

“I don’t know.”

I thought about the way Mia had acted. She obviously liked him even if you he didn’t like her. He deserved someone like Mia.

“Are you going to give her a chance? It’s obvious she likes you.”

Ezra hesitated. “That depends.”

I was afraid to ask. “On what?”

Ezra grabbed my other hand and pulled me to face him. His voice was a whisper.

“I made a promise a little while ago. To a girl. I’m not in a habit of breaking promises.”

My heart thudded in my ears and I was unsteady.

“Liv, will you look at me?”

My eyes rose to meet his and we were closer than I’d thought. His eyes were raw and exposed and maybe hopeful?

“Liv if you can honestly tell me to give Mia a shot I will,” he took a shallow breath “but, I’ve missed you.”

A tear rolled down my face.

“How could you just forgive me? Are you sure?”

He wiped at it gently. “Liv. I’ve been waiting for six years to hold you again. I’m sure.”

I broke down and started crying. He wrapped me in his arms rubbing my back to comfort me. It was more than I’d hoped for. He didn’t hate me. He still cared about me. He might even still. . .

“I love you Ezra Sing.” Ezra went rigid and I held him tighter as I pressed on. “I loved you six years ago but I was blinded and angry at the world. Like it owed me something. I loved you six years ago. And I love you now.”

My stomach dropped as Ezra didn’t say anything. I was wrong. It was too soon. He didn’t love me. He just missed me as his friend. What had I been thinking? I buried my face into his shoulder mortified. Sure that I would find only disgust if I pulled away. Afraid I’d lost him before if even gotten him back. Ever so gently he peeled me away. I squeezed my eyes shut not willing to see his reaction. His voice was soft and hoarse with emotion when he spoke.

“Liv, look at me.”

I opened my eyes to find my best friend. His eyes brimmed with tears.

“Do you _know_ how long I’ve waited to hear you say those words?”

Tears now ran down my face as relief and joy spread to my finger tips.

I kissed Ezra Sing with all the desperation he had six years ago. Better late than never. I kissed him with everything I had. Then ever so softly he kissed me back. When I pulled away I leaned my forehead against his. Happiness had taken root in my heart and I hoped it would stay. My breathing matched Ezra’s which was shallow and came in sips.

“I love you so much Liv. I’ve completely and utterly fallen for you.”

“I’ve fallen for you harder.”

He pulled me into a hug again and we stayed close together like that until my parents came to tell me it was time to go home.

I was finally home.