Antwan – POV
I sat in my car across from Julia's gate waiting
I had no idea what I was expecting when I stoped outside Julia's driveway
Maybe a sleepy smile. Maybe awkward small talk about exams. Maybe even a hesitant hug.
But not this.
The growl of a motorcycle echoed up the street . I didn't think much of it—until I saw her on the back of it.
Arms wrapped around his waist.
Her head leaned against his shoulder.
Tyler.
My heart stuttered. My breath slowed
The bike came to a smooth stop in the driveway. Julia climbed off, laughing at something he said—her eyes bright, her hair wind-tossed, her body relaxed in a way I hadn't seen in weeks.
Then she stepped forward, pulled off his helmet, and kissed him.
Not a goodbye peck.
A deep, slow, certain kiss. One hand in his hair. One hand gripping the leather of his jacket. He kissed her back like she was his oxygen. Like she belonged to him
My stomach dropped. I froze , breath shallow, chest tight.
She pulled away smiling like she was on the moon
Her eyes caught mine mid-laugh. It died instantly on her lips.
"Antwan…"
Tyler stiffened but didn't say a word. He got off, slowly putting him self in front of her , his expression unreadable but his jaw locked tight.
"Didn't think I'd walk into a scene like that," I said quietly, my voice thinner than I wanted it to be. "So… it's him?"
Julia shook her head instantly. "No—yes—I don't know." She looked between us, panicked. "Please don't do this here."
"I'm not here to fight him," I said. "I just want to hear it from you. Who do you want, Julia? Me or him?"
Silence.
Tyler folded his arms, but he didn't push. Just waited, eyes steady.
Julia looked between us like we were cliffs she was about to fall from. Her lips parted, but nothing came out. Her brows knit together, and then—
"I can't." Her voice broke.
Can't what?" I asked, barely breathing.
"I can't choose."
Tyler flinched like he wasn't expecting that
Clearly hurt
I wasn't expecting that either
To be fair I don't know what I expected
"I won't choose," Julia said louder, her voice shaking now. "Because I'll lose one of you. And I can't lose either of you. You don't understand—you both mean too much to me. It's not fair."
Her shoulders shook. She looked up at us, raw and exposed.
Tears fell freely now. She let out a ragged breath, dropped into a squat on the lawn, her head in her hands.
"Why do you even like me?" she cried. "I'm not enough. Not for either of you. I'm messy, I overthink everything, I panic and push people away. Why are you both still here?"
she cried. "I don't know what I'm doing. i am not pretty, i cant give either of you what you want , I'd rather just leave you both alone it would be better that way she sobbed "
She stood up too fast and bolted toward the back of the house.
"Julia!" we both shouted.
We ran after her, nearly colliding at the gate. Tyler swore under his breath. "This is your fault."
"My fault? You had her in your bed, man!"
"She came to me."
"She kissed me first!"
"She kissed me last."
We stopped, panting.
"She's scared," I said. "And we're not helping."
Tyler ran a hand down his face. "You think she's bluffing? About not choosing either of us ?
"No," I admitted. "But she doesn't want to lose either of us. And honestly… I don't want to fight or force her .
We stood there, the tension cooling just enough for the truth to settle.
Tyler met my eyes. "Then maybe we don't make her choose." I mean he said
I wasn't sure what he was implying or suggesting
She can't handle that pressure he Said
I blinked. "You mean…?"
He shrugged. "I mean maybe we both… show up. Stay. Let her figure it out in her own time. Or maybe… we all figure it out together."
It was insane.
But as I looked down the path where she'd vanished, heart aching for her pain, I realized:
What I wanted more than anything was for her to feel loved—not torn apart.
I nodded slowly. "Okay. No more pressure. No more ultimatums."
Tyler agreed, and we set off to find her—together.