In the aftermath of the shooting, Lena struggled to make sense of what had happened. She watched as her community mourned the loss of innocent lives, and she felt a deep sense of sadness and grief.
But even as she struggled to come to terms with her own emotions, Lena found herself reaching out to Alex more and more. They spent hours on the phone together, talking about everything from their favorite bands to their hopes for the future.
As they grew closer, Lena began to realize just how much Alex meant to her. She found herself thinking about him constantly, and she couldn't help feeling a flutter in her chest every time he called.
One day, as they were talking on the phone, Lena blurted out, "I really like you, Alex."
There was a long pause on the other end of the line, and Lena felt her heart sink. Had she been too forward? Had she ruined everything?
But then Alex spoke, his voice soft and gentle. "I like you too, Lena. I've liked you since the first day we met."
Lena felt a rush of happiness wash over her. For the first time in weeks, she felt like there was something positive to hold onto.
Over the next few months, Lena and Alex leaned on each other more and more as they coped with the trauma of the shooting. They went on hikes together, listened to music, and talked about everything under the sun.
And as they grew closer, Lena began to realize that Alex was more than just a friend. He was someone she cared about deeply, someone she could see herself spending the rest of her life with.
But as much as she wanted to tell him how she felt, Lena couldn't help feeling scared. What if he didn't feel the same way? What if she ruined their friendship?
In the end, it was Alex who made the first move. One day, as they were sitting on a bench overlooking the mountains, he turned to her and said, "Lena, there's something I've been wanting to tell you."
Lena felt her heart skip a beat. "What is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I love you, Lena," he said, taking her hand in his. "I've loved you for a long time, and I want to be with you."
Lena felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she looked at Alex. "I love you too," she said, leaning in for a kiss.
As they kissed, Lena felt a sense of joy and hope that she hadn't felt in a long time. Yes, the world was still a scary and uncertain place. But as long as she had Alex by her side, she knew that she could face anything.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFnArXaELH
