Leon shifted his weight from one foot to the other, rubbing the back of his neck as he avoided her gaze. His mind was running in circles, questioning everything. "I’m sorry, Stel, but I’ll have to pass."

  Stel gave him a small smile, masking any disappointment she might have felt. "Okay, no problem."

  Her voice was light, too light. Leon could tell she was trying to py it off like it didn’t matter, but there was something in the way she spoke, in the way her eyes flickered away from his, that told him the truth.

  He hesitated, studying her expression, his stomach twisting. "I hope you're not angry or anything."

  "No, why would I be? It’s all good," Stel responded, her voice firm, but there was a crack in it—a subtle shift that Leon couldn’t quite pce.

  Relief flooded through him, but it felt shallow. "Okay, that’s a relief. Alright then, bye. See you on Friday, Stel."

  "Yeah, bye, Leon."

  As he turned to leave, a voice echoed in his mind. What the hell are you doing?

  Leon groaned internally. Going home to py games. I don’t have the energy to go out.

  Jesus Christ, a nice FEMALE person just asked you to have ice cream, and you turned her down. Do you have any idea how hard it must have been for her to ask you? Do you think you’re the only friend she has?

  Leon rolled his eyes, trying to ignore the voice. Exactly, so why is she asking me?

  Because she enjoys your company more than her other friends, you idiot.

  Leon could almost hear his mind scoff, irritated by his resistance. This is exactly why you don’t have friends. Now go back, apologize, and say you’d love to have ice cream with her.

  No, Leon thought, this doesn’t make sense. We’re just friends, right? Why would she want to hang out with me like that?

  The voice in his head didn’t let up. You’re such a coward. You can’t even accept that someone might actually like spending time with you. Fine, go home and pretend everything’s fine. But you’ll regret it.

  Leon bit his lip, walking slower as he tried to push the thoughts aside. But what if she... she was just being polite? He shook his head, forcing the doubt away.

  You think she’s polite? No, Leon. She asked you because she wanted to hang out with you. You’ve known her long enough to know that much.

  He froze, the weight of the moment hitting him all at once. His feet refused to move.

  "Fine," he muttered to himself. "Fine. I’ll go back. But what if she says no now? What if I look stupid?"

  The voice practically growled in his mind. That’s not the point. If you don’t go back now, you’ll never forgive yourself.

  He swallowed hard, finally giving in. Turning on his heel, he took a step back toward the park entrance. He could see Stel in the distance, her figure growing smaller as she walked toward the exit. Panic hit him like a ton of bricks.

  Leon was fast now, too fast. His heart raced in his chest, and his legs moved almost on their own accord. What if she doesn’t want to talk to me? What if she’s already mad?

  He pushed the thoughts away, focusing only on Stel, who was now several paces ahead of him.

  He called her name, his voice strangled with nerves.

  “Stel!”

  She turned, eyes widening in surprise as she saw him running toward her. Leon was panting now, his breath coming in sharp gasps as he tried to catch up. His legs burned with each step, but he didn’t care. The anxiety in his chest pushed him forward.

  "What’s wrong?" Stel asked, her brows furrowing in concern. She must have thought something was wrong, but Leon couldn’t form words for a moment.

  He doubled over, still trying to catch his breath. "Yes—" pant "I would—" pant "like to have ice cream with you."

  Stel’s eyes darkened, and she took a step back, her lips curling into a thin line. "Are you kidding me?" she asked, her voice sharp, cutting through the night air.

  Leon’s stomach twisted at her words. He had messed up. He could feel it, every fiber of his being cringing under the weight of his earlier rejection. What did I do?

  Stel’s frustration was palpable. "Do you think it’s cool to just refuse me and then come running back like nothing happened? Do you have any idea how hard that was for me? I put myself out there, and you just brushed me off like it was nothing." She scoffed, shaking her head. "Forget it. I don’t need your pity."

  Leon’s heart sank, a deep ache spreading through him. God, I’ve ruined everything.

  She started walking away, and Leon stood there, frozen in pce. The pit in his stomach deepened. Why did you even try? his mind whispered, a mocking tone in its voice. You’ve already messed up. She doesn’t want to hang out with you anymore.

  He could feel the burn of regret gnawing at him, but he refused to let it take over. I can fix this. I can apologize. I can make this right. He took a step forward, but his mind was in chaos. What if she doesn’t listen? What if she hates me now?

  "Stel, wait!"

  She didn’t stop. But he was persistent. "Stel, please," Leon begged, his voice strained. His legs moved faster now, until he was standing right in front of her. "I... I’m sorry."

  Stel looked at him for a moment, her eyes narrowed. "Sorry?" she repeated, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Is that it?"

  Leon swallowed, his throat dry. "I messed up. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I... I wasn’t thinking, Stel."

  Her gaze softened just a fraction, but there was still a wall between them, a barrier of hurt and frustration she wasn’t ready to let go of. "You didn’t think? Really? That’s your excuse?" she asked, her voice quieter now, but no less intense. "Do you even know why I asked you in the first pce?"

  Leon hesitated, not sure if he wanted to admit the truth. "Because... you wanted ice cream?"

  She let out a short breath of disbelief, shaking her head. "No, Leon. That’s not it. You really don’t get it, do you?" Her voice was softer now, but still raw. "It’s not about the ice cream. It’s about the fact that I JUST wanted to hang out with you. I didn’t expect you to refuse me like that."

  Leon’s chest tightened, his own emotions fring. "I’m sorry, Stel. I didn’t mean to make you feel like that. I just... I overthink things. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know what to do." His voice cracked slightly.

  She gnced at him, her gaze still hard, but there was a slight flicker of something—something that told Leon she wasn’t ready to walk away just yet.

  "You overthink everything, Leon," she said quietly. "Sometimes, people just want to spend time with you—no hidden motives, no complicated reasons. And you pushed me away like it meant nothing."

  "I know," Leon whispered, his voice barely audible. "I know I messed up. I didn’t mean to hurt you, Stel."

  She let out a deep breath, then took a step closer to him. There was still that distance, but the anger in her eyes had softened. "I’ll forgive you," she said after a long pause. "But only because I know you didn’t mean to be an ass. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt."

  Leon’s heart raced. "So... does that mean you’ll hang out with me?" he asked, hopeful yet tentative.

  Stel rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small smirk pying on her lips. "I’ll go with you. But you’re paying."

  Leon chuckled nervously. "Alright, alright. Fine."

  As they walked toward the ice cream shop, the night felt different—lighter, but with a weight of its own. Stel gnced at him, her eyes mischievous now. "Hey, Leon?"

  "Yeah?"

  "If you ever reject me like that again, I swear I’ll never ask you to hang out again."

  Leon’s eyes widened in mock horror. "Duly noted."

  Stel’s lips quirked into a smile. "Good. Now let’s get that ice cream."

  They walked side by side, the tension between them easing with every step. Leon might not have realized it yet, but this moment—this tiny decision—was the start of something much bigger than he had ever imagined.

  In that moment, Leon didn’t realize—some choices change everything.