//------------------------------//
// Chapter 9 A lie can Hurt (Flurry's P.O.V) (complete) 
// Story: Growing Bonds 
// by Zack Catcher 
//------------------------------//




Chapter Nine




I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window. I felt refreshed, but when I turned to my side, expecting to see Zack lying next to me, I was a bit confused when he wasn't there. I sat up, rubbing my eyes trying to figure out where he could be until I remembered what happened yesterday.



I remembered reading the poem that Zack had written for me, feeling my heart swell with emotions as I read the words. I remembered kissing him, feeling the warmth of his lips against mine. And then I remembered the conversation we had after that, where Zack had expressed his true feelings for me.


My heart sank as I remembered the pain in Zack's eyes when I told him I only wanted to be friends.



I knew I had hurt him, but I didn't know what to do about it. Part of me wanted to ignore the situation, to pretend as if nothing had happened between us. But another part of me couldn't shake off the thought of losing him as a friend. I felt torn and confused.



As I got out of bed and got ready for the day, I couldn't help but feel guilty about the way I had treated Zack. I knew I needed to talk to him and apologize so I could try to make things right between us. But I was also scared. I was scared of confronting my feelings, scared of what might happen if I let myself be vulnerable.


As I made my way to the breakfast table, I tried to push these thoughts aside and focus on the day ahead. 


I walked out of my room and started making my way to the dining room, but on the way, I heard voices coming from the training hall.



 Curious, I peeked inside and saw Zack and Twilight talking and laughing together.


I was relieved that Zack was better than how I left him off last night. I smiled as I entered the training hall 


"Hey you two," I said with a smile on my face


But as soon as Zack saw me, his expression changed. My smile faded as I saw him looking away from me, trying to avoid my gaze. My heart sank at the sight, finely relishing how much pain I had caused him.



I cleared my throat, feeling nervous as I walked toward them. "Um, good morning, Twilight, Zack," I said, my voice slightly shaky. Twilight gave me a warm smile, but Zack remained silent, still avoiding my gaze. I felt a lump form in my throat as I realized how much I had hurt him. I took a deep breath, trying to find the words to apologize.


I looked at Zack, who was still not looking at me and then at Twilight, who was observing the situation. I didn't know what to do, or how to fix things between us. I wanted to apologize, but I didn't know if it was enough.



"I'm sorry, Zack," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to hurt you."


Zack took a deep breath before looking at me. "it's ok Flurry, I understand. " he said looking completely fine


I felt relieved at his words, but also a bit confused. Did he understand? Was he just saying that to make me feel better? I didn't know what to think.


"Are you sure?" I asked, still feeling guilty.


Zack gave me a small smile. "Yes, I'm fine. You just want us to be friends and I can understand that"



I let out a sigh of relief, feeling grateful for his understanding. but also a little hurt that I didn't get to tell him that I felt the same way


I looked at Zack with a smile as I felt mixed emotions. Part of me wanted to tell Zack how I felt, but another part of me was too scared to do so. I didn't want to risk losing our friendship completely.



Twilight spoke up, sensing the tension in the air. "Why don't we go get breakfast? I'm starving!" she said, trying to lighten the mood. I nodded, grateful for the distraction.


As we made our way to the dining room, I couldn't help but feel like there was still an unresolved tension between Zack and me. I knew I needed to have a proper conversation with him at some point, but for now, I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on enjoying the meal with my friends.



As me and Twilight ate, Twilight and Zack filled the room with lively conversation, but I found myself lost in my thoughts. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off between us, and I knew I needed to address it sooner rather than later.


After we finished eating, Twilight excused herself to go check on her own responsibilities for the day. Zack and I remained at the table and I finished my drink in silence. I could feel his eyes on me, and I knew it was time to have that conversation.



"Zack, can we talk?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.


Zack nodded, his expression serious. "Of course. What's on your mind?"


I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "I just wanted to say that...I know I hurt you yesterday, and I'm sorry about that. But I also wanted to say that...I don't think I was entirely honest with you."



Zack looked up at me, a bit confused. "What are you talking about Flurry? I already forgave you?"


I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, and I suddenly became very nervous. I knew I needed to tell him the truth, but I was scared of how he might react. So instead, I decided to change the subject.


"Um, have you thought about what you want to do today?" I asked, trying to sound casual.


Zack's expression softened, and he smiled at me. "Actually, I was thinking about spending more time hanging out with Twilight, she has a book that she is telling me about and it sounds very interesting"



I felt a pang of disappointment in my chest at his words, but I knew I couldn't blame him. I had rejected him, and he was just trying to move on.


"That sounds like fun," I said, forcing a smile. "Maybe I'll join you guys later."


 "I would like that," he said with a warm smile I looked at Zack with a smile as I felt mixed emotions. Part of me wanted to tell Zack how I really felt, 



Zack nodded his head "I would like that," he said with a warm smile I returned the smile before leaving the dining room and as I left, I felt a sense of joy that maybe we can go back to how it was before but a small part of me wanted us to be something more, saying that we could never go back to the way things were before


As I walked through the halls, I couldn't help but think about what I had just said to Zack. I knew I needed to be honest with him about my feelings, but I didn't know if I was ready to face them myself.



I found myself wandering aimlessly around the castle, lost in thought until I stumbled upon a quiet courtyard. It was a secluded area, with a small fountain in the centre and a few benches scattered around. I sat down on one of the benches, taking in the peaceful surroundings.


As I sat there, I couldn't help but think about Zack and our friendship. He had always been there for me, even when I didn't deserve it. He had been patient, understanding, and supportive, and I had taken that for granted.



But now, things are different. I had hurt him, and I didn't know if I could ever make things right. And yet, a part of me still wanted to try. A part of me still held onto the hope that maybe, just maybe, we could be something more.


As I walked through the halls, I couldn't help but think about what I had just said to Zack. I knew I needed to be honest with him about my feelings, but I didn't know if I was ready to face them myself.



As I continued to sit on the bench, I couldn't help but think about how much Zack had meant to me. He was my closest friend, my confidant, and someone I trusted with my deepest secrets. I wanted to be more than just friends with him. I wanted to be his girlfriend. 


But I also knew that it wasn't just about what I wanted. I had hurt him deeply and I needed to make things right.



I took a deep breath and decided to be brave. I pulled out a piece of paper and a pen from my bag and started to write down my thoughts. I wrote about how much I appreciated Zack, how much I valued our friendship, and how much I wanted to be honest with him.


After a few minutes, I looked down at the paper and read what I had written. It wasn't perfect, but it was from the heart. 


Happy with my plan, I folded the piece of paper and tucked it under my wing. determined to give it to Zack as soon as possible. I knew I couldn't keep avoiding the truth, and I wanted to make things right between us.



As I stood up from the bench, I heard someone clearing their throat behind me. I turned around and saw Twilight standing there, a concerned expression on her face.


"Is everything okay, Flurry?" she asked, approaching me.


I hesitated for a moment before deciding to confide in her. "I need to tell Zack something, but I'm scared of how he'll react," I admitted, holding up the folded piece of paper. 


Twilight looked at me with a smile, 



“Flurry you are overthinking this just be honest with him, that’s all he has ever wanted,” she said trying to reassure me 


I felt my nerves starting to act up “But what if he rejects me like I did to him what if he makes fun of me what i-”


Twilight interrupted me by putting her hoof over my mouth before saying,


“Flurry listen to yourself does that sound like something Zack would do” Twilight removed her hoof from my mouth “Zack has been there for you no matter he cares deeply for you and he doesn't want to hurt you even tho you hurt him”



“But how do you know that he still does I hurt his feelings,” I said my voice cracking with worry as I looked down at the ground, twilight “Because I know,” Twilight said lifting up my head to look into my eyes before she continued to talk ”you love him don't you”, I nodded my head “then tell him, it might be heard but it is what you want”


 I nodded, taking comfort in her words. "Thanks, Twilight. I'll try my best."


Twilight smiled reassuringly. "Just be honest with him, Flurry. That's all he has ever wanted." I nodded my head grateful for her words, I left the room heading towards the library. If Zack was hanging out with Twilight he would be there, and I was right because when I saw him he had his nose buried in a book “Guess the book was interesting” I said to myself


I walked up to Zack saying “hay zack do you have a minute” 


Zack moved his gaze to look up at me 


“Sure what’s up”



I took a deep breath before pulling out the letter from under my wing as I said


“I want to say that I am sorry for hurting you, you are my best friend and I took you for granted” Zack interrupted saying “flurry it’s ok I already forgave you and I understand that you just want to be friends,” zack said trying to assure me 


“But I don’t I haven’t been honest with you I was just scared of losing you so here,” I said as I handed him the folded piece of paper



Zack grabbed the piece of paper and und-folded it as he began to read what I put on there as he read he looked confused and then surprised 


When he finished reading, he looked up at me with a smile on his face. "Flurry, I don't know what to say," he said softly.


I took a deep breath “Zack you are the bests friend I could ever ask for you are nice kind and most of all funny, you always know how to make me feel better whenever I am sad, you are the person a care about you've always been there for me when I needed you I just wished I did the same”



I paused when I start to feel my anxiety rise. I took a deep breath as I continued “You're the only person that has ever been nice to me ever since my dad died and when that happened you were there and you have been honest with me so it is time for me to be honest with you. I… I-I love you, Zack”



Zack's eyes opened wide before giving me a kiss on my cheek saying “I love you too,”


I felt a rush of emotions flood through me at Zack's words. Part of me was overjoyed that he still loved me, but still felt a little bad about how I treated him. However, the possibility of a future with him gave me hope and I knew I had to take things slow and be careful this time.


As we sat there in the library, lost in thought, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us. But for now, I was just happy to have been honest with him and to know that he still had feelings for me.



As the night wore on, Zack and I walked back to my room, feeling content and at peace with each other. We didn't say much along the way, but the silence was comfortable and reassuring.



As we continued to walk to my room, I couldn't help but feel happy with how things played out. Once we got to my room, we said goodnight to each other before I crawled into bed. Before Zack settled in beside me, and once he got himself settled in I moved my body closer to Zack, cuddling up with him and wrapping one of my wings around him as we drifted off to sleep.



At that moment, I realized that honesty really is the best policy and that being true to yourself and your feelings can lead to amazing things. As I drifted off to sleep, I felt grateful for having Zack in my life and excited for what the future may hold for us.