Chapter 2 Say Something

Chapter 2: Say Something 

Ivy's POV 

I expected this summer to go wrong in a hundred different ways.

I expected awkward silences and awkward run-ins with Andy and Maddie. I expected old memories to crawl out of places I thought I’d buried them. I expected the sting of seeing familiar streets after years away.

What I didn’t expect—what I couldn’t have possibly prepared for—was coming back to Weeping Willow on the exact day my forever crush decided to get engaged to my perfect sister. 

Wow. Just… wow.

Andy stood in front of me, one hand shoved into his pockets, eyes bright with that hopeful, nervous energy people get when they’re about to change their lives. He looked like a man on the edge of something monumental.

And I stood there, trying not to fall apart.

I wondered what he expected me to say. Congratulations? How romantic? I'm happy for you? Can I help you hide the ring? Would you like me to help you capture the moment? 

I wondered—briefly—how Poppy had managed to keep something this huge from me.

We talked all the time. Calls, texts, voice notes, endless snaps. I’d spoken to her barely an hour ago while driving into town. She’d asked about my aunt I was living with in California, about my dad, about whether I’d eaten. She’d told me Pony missed me.

She hadn’t said a word about this. That Andy planned to propose to Maddie today. 

I swallowed hard. I never should have come here. This was a mistake—a massive, catastrophic mistake—and now it was too late to undo it.

Andy shifted his weight, watching me too closely. “Well?” he said. “Say something.”

I flinched internally.

“You’re Maddie’s sister,” he continued, smiling nervously. “Do you think she’s going to say yes?”

There it was. The question.

My throat tightened as I searched for something—anything—that wouldn’t betray the fact that my chest felt like it was quite literally caving in.

“I—” I cleared my throat. “I didn’t even know you two were this… serious.”

His brows shot up. “Really?”

I forced a laugh that sounded hollow even to my own ears. “Poppy never mentioned it. And Maddie doesn’t exactly keep me updated on her love life.”

Andy scratched his jaw, clearly surprised. “Huh. I guess I thought—” He cut himself off, then rushed on. “Well, I’m telling you now. What do you think, Ivy?” He exhaled sharply. “I’m really nervous.”

That word—nervous—did something to me.

Andy didn’t get nervous. Not about tests, not about games, not about anything. Seeing him like this made my stomach twist. And especially knowing it was because of her. 

Screw you, Andy. Screw you, Maddie. That should have been me. Screw you both and your disgustingly perfect love. 

“Andy,” I said carefully, “Maddie and I aren’t that close.”

His smile faltered.

“We’re half-sisters, yes. But we don’t exactly exchange secrets or talk about our feelings. You probably know her better than I do.”

“Oh.” He looked down, nodding slowly. “Right.”

I shrugged, trying to keep my voice steady. “You’ve been together for four years. You should know if she’ll say yes.”

He stepped closer, lowering his voice like this was suddenly confidential. “I do. I mean—I think I do.” He smiled again, softer now. “I love her, Ivy. I really do. I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”

My heart splintered.

“She makes me feel settled,” he continued, eyes lighting up as he talked about her. “Like I finally know where I belong.”

I nodded, biting the inside of my cheek.

“But I guess I’m just scared,” he added. “What if she’s not ready? Or if she thinks it’s too soon? Or if she—”

“Ivy!” Poppy’s voice cut through the room like a rescue rope.

Relief hit me so hard my knees almost buckled.

She burst through the front door, cheeks flushed, hair a mess, arms already opening wide. “Ivy Lennon! My bestie!”

She slammed into me with a hug that knocked the breath out of my lungs and I let myself sink into it, clinging to her like she was the only solid thing left in the world.

The tears came before I could stop them.

“I missed you,” she said fiercely, squeezing tighter.

“Me too,” I whispered, my voice breaking.

She pulled back suddenly, hands gripping my shoulders as she studied my face. “Wait. Are you crying?” Her eyes widened, then narrowed playfully. “Did you miss me that much?”

I laughed shakily, wiping at my cheeks. Andy stood a few feet away, watching us in silence. I know he was confused. 

“Of course I missed you,” I said. “California is boring without you.”

Poppy scoffed. “Says the girl who sends me twelve snaps a day.”

That got a real laugh out of me.

“I’ve missed you so much,” she said again, hugging me once more. “And listen—don’t hate me—but I’m kind of glad the fire forced you back.”

I snorted. “Only you would say that.”

Andy cleared his throat. “I’ll leave you two to catch up,” he said. “Maddie should be here soon. Got to get the place looking romantic before she arrives.”

My stomach dropped.

“I’ll take Ivy’s suitcase up,” he added, reaching for the handle.

“Thanks,” I said softly. “And, Andy?”

He paused.

“Congratulations,” I said. “I’m happy for you. For both of you. I wish you all the best.” The lie tasted bitter on my tongue. 

He studied my face like he knew exactly what I was doing—and maybe he did.

“Thank you,” he said quietly. “It really is good to see you again, Ivy. Weeping Willow wasn't the same without you.”

“Likewise.”

He gave me one last lingering look before turning and heading upstairs with my suitcase.

The moment his footsteps faded, the air rushed out of my lungs. I gasped, clutching my chest as if my heart might actually tear free.

Poppy stared at me. “Oh,” she said softly. “Guess you still love him?” 

I couldn’t answer. I couldn’t even breathe properly.

The pressure built fast—too fast. My vision blurred at the edges as panic surged through me, sharp and familiar.

“Ivy?” Poppy stepped closer. “Hey. Breathe.”

I fumbled through my purse, hands shaking violently until my fingers closed around plastic. My inhaler. My blue life-saver. 

I pressed it to my lips and inhaled deeply. Once. Twice. Three times. Slow. In. Out.

The world steadied—but the tears didn’t stop. They poured out of me, ugly and relentless.

Andy was getting married.

I had spent eleven years loving a boy who would never love me back. He probably saw me as just a silly little girl who almost drowned. 

And maybe… I should’ve let go a long time ago.