A/N: HAPPY NEW YEAR (can I still say that lol?). Hope you're all well and safe x I know I promised to not disappear and then went and disappeared. I swear I'm not trying to give you guys trust issues; life just keeps getting in the way. But I really did miss writing and hearing what you guys think. As a way of making, it up to you, I'm thinking of starting a new book of one-shots. You guys could DM/comment things you would want to see. Lmk if that's something you guys would want x To anyone who has read, voted on or reviewed this story, THANK YOU. YOU MAKE MY WHOLE DAY AND WEEK AND IT MEANS THE WORLD TO MEE.

Otis had never been this confused or heartbroken in his life. He knew he was the one who asked for a break but that was only because he thought that was the right thing, for him and for Maeve. He didn't really realise it would end up crushing him.

All he wanted was to be back with Maeve, holding her tight and telling her how much he loved her. How none of the other stuff mattered, as long as they were together. But did he really have the right to do that anymore? Could he just keep walking in and out of her life like that?

Otis kind of wanted to punch himself for asking for that break but he knew that wasn't going to help anything (for the most part), so he decided to focus on school. He had a meeting with Ruby regarding a project for health class and was hoping it would help get his mind off things.

"You look like you just got hit by a car." Ruby said, looking up at Otis as he walked into the empty classroom. Otis hadn't really looked at what he was putting on for school, so when he looked at how crumpled his shirt was, he absentmindedly brushed his hand against it, trying to ease out whatever creases he could reach.

"Thanks." Otis muttered as he took a seat next to Ruby.

"What happened?" Ruby asked, sounding a little more empathetic this time around.

"Maeve and I are on a break." Otis said.

"Why?" Ruby asked, turning to face Otis. She was always one to want to know about this kind of stuff. Plus, she cared about Otis and she wanted to make sure he was okay.

"Well, she kind of freaked out about us again so I suggested that we take a break so she can figure out what she wants." Otis said.

"So, you dealt with her freaking out by freaking out?" Ruby asked, looking at Otis as if he was a complete idiot.

"I was being mature! Giving her space to figure out what she wants, I was trying to be considerate!" Otis said, raising his voice a little.

"No, you were afraid she was going to run away so you decided to do it first, instead of just talking it out with her." Ruby said.

"It's not that simple." Otis said.

"Do you want to be with her?" Ruby asked.

"Of course, I do." Otis said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world, as if he hadn't just kind of broken up with Maeve.

"Then it is that simple." Ruby said.

"What do you mean?" Otis asked, the irritation fast becoming evident in his voice. He was exhausted, exhausted from the pain and the constant overthinking; he really wasn't in the mood to be given a life lesson.

"If you're worried about her running away, why would you run away instead? Isn't the whole point making sure you stay together?" Ruby asked.

"Yeah, but what kind of relationship can we have if neither of us feels like the other one is committed?" Otis asked.

"You're not going to have any kind of relationship if you keep running away. You love her, she loves you. You're going to be miserable without each other. Instead of creating a toxic mess where both of you keep threatening each other with leaving, why don't you just try and work on it?" Ruby asked.

Otis stayed silent for a second, turning over Ruby's words in his head. He knew she was right but he also knew what she was saying was a lot easier said than done. You can't just undo years of abandonment issues and insecurity with a single conversation.

"You're so worried about what will happen if she leaves that you can't even see that she's right there, next to you. And no offense Otis but it's not like you're a walk in the park either." Ruby asked.

"What do you mean?" Otis asked, feeling quite offended.

"Well, you're pretty insecure too and you have your own share of abandonment issues. Plus you're kind of needy." Ruby said, matter of factly. She wasn't trying to be rude; she was just saying this she thought Otis knew.

Otis didn't say anything, he just looked at Ruby like a puppy who had just been kicked.

"I'm not trying to be mean; I'm being honest. And why I'm telling you all this is because I want you to see how similar the issues that you and Maeve are struggling with are. You can understand her in a way no one else can and you need to know how much that matters. You can help each other get better. But of course, taking care of her is not something you need to do at the cost of yourself. If you feel like it's too much, you should walk away. I'm not saying you being upset at her indecisiveness isn't valid, what I'm saying is, if you love her and you have it in you, then you should make it work." Ruby said, softening a little. She was surprising herself with how wise she was sounding.

"It's this endless cycle, Ruby. One minute we're happy and then something happens and one of us wants to bolt out the door. I swore I wouldn't leave because I knew what it felt like when my dad came in and out of our lives. And it's not like the only reason I want to say is to not be my dad, I want to stay because I love her. She makes me better and she loves me despite me being a mess. The truth is, she's the only person I've ever really loved and it scares the shit out of me because I've never seen love last. And knowing what she means to me, I know losing her would kill me." Otis said.

"You're not going to lose her if you stay and fight through this. But you will lose her if you keep running every time you think she's not sure. She has her own stuff to deal with and maybe what you both need is some reassurance that the other will stay." Ruby said.

"You're right." Otis said.

"I can't believe I'm saying this because I really sound like your biggest shipper or whatever and I don't really like Maeve, which makes this weirder but what you two have is special and I've never seen you being more yourself than you're with her. And that to me is the biggest sign of a healthy relationship because you guys don't have any pretence. I know what pretending all the time feels like, I see it at home with dad trying to act like nothing is wrong and while at first it feels like it's the only coping mechanism, it starts eating away at you. Don't walk away from something that's real just because it's hard." Ruby said.

Otis was about to response but the bell rang and students started pouring in.

"You're right, I should talk to Maeve." Otis said.

"Yes, you should." Ruby said, rolling her eyes at Otis.

"Thanks Ruby, I don't know what I'd do without you." Otis said.

Ruby flashed Otis her biggest smile. No one ever really made her feel wanted and needed the way Otis did. Sure, he was super needy and quite awkward but he made her feel special, like she belonged. And she hadn't realised it but Ruby had been craving that feeling her whole life.

A/N: Idk how this chapter was but I hope you liked it. I still haven't figured out what I want from this story lol. I love writing it but I can't tell where it should go. Should I just keep going and see where the story takes me or should I end it? Lmk what you guys think xx