53.

I am doing some reading for my coursework when someone knocks on my door. I frown, putting my book down, wondering who it could be. Everyone I know would call before coming over.

Perhaps it's someone who's lost.

I open the door without looking through the peephole and immediately regret it when I see who it is.

"Bella, please let me in. I want to talk to you."

"Garrett, I don't want to talk to you. That should've been obvious when I never answered your calls or texted you back. There's nothing to say."

"You're wrong there, Bella. There's so much I need to say, should've said before." He pushes inside, right past me before I can block him. Then he turns around.

"I love you, Bella. I should've told you that months ago but I was afraid I'd scare you away."

I'm shaking my head while he's speaking. "Garrett," is all I can say. I scramble to get my thoughts together. "I can't return that statement. I wasn't able before and I'm not able now. I won't be able to either."

"I'm willing to wait, Bella, please-"

He gets interrupted by my phone ringing. Saved by my phone.