0027||its over

ARABELLA ARMANI

The sun hung low on the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant streaks of orange and pink as Arabella stepped out onto the hotel balcony.

Their final night in the city had arrived, and though part of her was ready to return home, the thought of leaving the bubble of new beginnings made her heart ache. This trip had been transformative—an unexpected chance to rediscover herself.

Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. It was her dad.

Dad❤️

Dinner's at 7:30. Big table at Il Mare on the boardwalk. I heard the food is amazing. Can't wait to see you, kiddo.

Arabella smiled softly. It had been her dad's idea to gather everyone—Sarah, Carter, her dad, and a few surprise guests he'd hinted at. He claimed it was a "send-off," but she knew he was checking in to make sure she was really okay.

"Ready for one last hurrah?" Sarah called from inside, curling her hair in front of the mirror.

Arabella stepped back inside, glancing at Sarah and Carter, who were sprawled out on the bed, flipping through their phones. "Ready as I'll ever be. Did Dad tell you who else is coming?"

Carter smirked knowingly. "Oh, he told us. Let's just say it'll be...interesting."

Arabella narrowed her eyes. "You're being weird. Who's coming?"

"Guess you'll find out soon enough," Sarah teased.

The restaurant was nestled along the boardwalk, its patio overlooking the ocean. Strings of fairy lights twinkled above the tables, casting a warm, golden glow. Arabella arrived with Sarah and Carter, and her heart leapt when she saw her dad standing by the entrance, waving them over.

"Hey, sweetheart," he said, pulling her into a hug. "You look good—happy."

"Thanks, Dad," she said, smiling up at him. "This place is beautiful."

"It is," he agreed. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he gestured toward the large table at the far end of the patio. "Some familiar faces wanted to see you before you head back."

Arabella's breath hitched as her gaze landed on the table. Sitting there, alongside some of her dad's friends and coworkers, were Alessio and Sophia.

She froze for a moment, her stomach twisting. Sophia glanced up first, her expression guarded. Then Alessio turned, meeting Arabella's eyes with a flicker of something she couldn't quite read—regret, maybe, or guilt.

"You okay?" Sarah whispered beside her, her hand lightly touching Arabella's arm.

Arabella forced a steady breath and nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine."

She squared her shoulders and walked to the table, her dad's hand resting reassuringly on her back. As they sat down, the conversation buzzed around her. Sarah and Carter kept things lively, chatting with Sophia about the city's best spots and cracking jokes with Arabella's dad.

Arabella kept her distance emotionally, answering questions politely but steering clear of Alessio. She couldn't stop the occasional glance his way, though, noticing how he seemed quieter than usual, almost subdued.

At one point, Sophia leaned over. "Arabella, I wanted to say...I'm sorry. For everything."

Arabella blinked, caught off guard. "Sophia—"

"No, really," Sophia said, her voice soft. "I didn't handle things well. Neither of us did. Alessio—" She hesitated, her gaze flickering toward him before returning to Arabella. "He's not my problem anymore. We ended things."

Arabella opened her mouth to respond but found herself at a loss. What was there to say? That she forgave her? That she didn't?

"It's fine," Arabella said finally. "I'm moving on."

Sophia smiled faintly, seeming relieved. "Good. You deserve that."

After dinner, the group wandered down to the beach, where a large projector screen had been set up for an outdoor movie. Rows of blankets and chairs dotted the sand, and the scent of popcorn mingled with the salty sea air.

Arabella, Sarah, and Carter claimed a spot near the back, spreading out their blanket and plopping down with bowls of popcorn. Her dad sat a few rows up with his friends, and to her dismay, Alessio lingered not far away.

As the movie began—a lighthearted romantic comedy—Arabella found herself relaxing. The ocean breeze was cool against her skin, and Sarah and Carter's commentary kept her laughing.

At some point during the movie, Alessio approached, his steps hesitant. "Can we talk?" he asked quietly.

Arabella glanced at Sarah and Carter, who exchanged wary looks but nodded. "We'll be right here," Sarah said.

She followed Alessio a few steps away, just out of earshot.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry," he said, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. "I screwed up. I know that. And I don't expect anything from you, but I needed to tell you that I regret everything—losing you, hurting you. I'm sorry, Arabella."

Arabella stared at him, her chest tightening. For so long, she'd imagined this moment, replaying it in her mind with a thousand different endings. But now that it was here, she realized something.

"I appreciate the apology," she said, her voice steady. "But it doesn't change anything. You made your choice, Alessio. And I've made mine."

He nodded, his gaze dropping to the sand. "I get it. I just... I hope you're happy."

"I am," she said simply. And for the first time, it was true.

As she walked back to the blanket, Sarah immediately handed her a bowl of popcorn. "Well?"

Arabella smiled. "Let's just say that chapter's officially closed."

The movie ended with a burst of applause, and as they packed up their things, Arabella felt a lightness she hadn't experienced in years. The waves crashed gently against the shore, and the stars above glittered like tiny promises of everything yet to come.

This wasn't just the end of a trip—it was the beginning of a new story, one she was finally ready to write.

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