For Him, I Stayed

Note:
"SPECIAL CHAPTER!!!"

Warning:

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Chapter 43: "A Love That Stood the Test of Time"

The last few weeks of high school passed in a blur. College applications, exams, and graduation preparations took up most of their time. But amidst the chaos, one thing remained steady—Ray and Matthew’s relationship.

Even though Claire kept her distance after their last conversation, Ray could still feel her lingering stares, the bitterness in her gaze. But he didn’t care anymore. He had Matthew. He had his friends. He had a future that no longer felt out of reach.

One evening, Matthew invited Ray over to his place. The warm glow of his bedroom lights made everything feel a little more intimate, a little more real.

Matthew sat on his bed, running a hand through his hair. “It still feels unreal sometimes.”

Ray, sitting beside him, tilted his head. “What does?”

Matthew let out a small chuckle. “Us. After everything… I was so blind to what was in front of me. I don’t know how you even put up with me rejecting you three times.”

Ray smirked, nudging Matthew’s arm. “Maybe I was just stubborn.”

Matthew turned to him, eyes softening. “Or maybe you just loved me that much.”

Ray felt his breath hitch. Even after all this time, even after becoming a couple, hearing Matthew say things like that still made his heart race.

Matthew reached out, gently cupping Ray’s face. “I don’t want to take you for granted ever again.”

Ray’s lips parted slightly, his eyes searching Matthew’s. “Then don’t.”

And Matthew didn’t.

That night, with the city lights glowing outside the window, their love deepened in a way that words couldn’t describe.

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Meanwhile, across town, another love story was unfolding.

Skyler and Avilian sat together in a quiet café, the soft hum of jazz music filling the air.

Skyler, always so composed, looked a little more nervous than usual. He fiddled with the cup in his hands before finally speaking.

“Avilian.”

Avilian glanced up, her usual playful smile fading at the seriousness in his tone. “What’s wrong?”

Skyler exhaled, his fingers tightening around the ceramic. “I’ve been thinking about us. About the future.”

Avilian’s heart skipped a beat. “And?”

Skyler finally looked at her, his brown eyes full of something raw and vulnerable. “I love you, Avilian. I’ve loved you for a long time. And I don’t want to waste another second.”

Avilian’s lips parted slightly, her eyes wide.

Skyler reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.

“I want to spend my life with you.”

A breathless silence filled the air before Avilian finally smiled, tears welling in her eyes.

“Yes,” she whispered, nodding as she reached for his hands. “A thousand times, yes.”

Skyler let out a relieved chuckle before slipping the ring onto her finger.

In that moment, everything felt perfect.

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To be Continued...