Summer kills

The darkness of night hung around him like an omnipresent shroud, whispering tales of regret and despair. As the cold wind blew through the roses, their perfume grew stronger, a poignant reminder of the love he had so thoughtlessly squandered. He sat there for what seemed like an eternity, his heart wracked with guilt. Each tick of time beat in rhythm with the throbbing pain in his chest, a constant reminder of his mistake.

He recalled how Olivia's laughter filled these very grounds, how her voice was the symphony that soothed his restless soul. Her eyes sparkled with unspoken dreams and her smile held captive the warmth of a thousand suns. Yet, he'd allowed his fury to overshadow her light, to dim it into an abyss of anguish and sorrow. He had wounded her deeply and now he must endure the consequences: A world devoid of her touch, her voice, her love.

His thoughts were interrupted by a rustling sound behind him; a small rabbit had come out from its burrow. Ethan watched it hop cautiously around the garden. It stopped to sniff at one of his roses before resuming its search for food. He marveled at its innocence and purity; untouched by human folly. It struck him then that they were both intruders in Olivia's beloved sanctuary: one innocent and one guilty.

Ethan understood now more than ever that he was not entitled to Olivia's affection or forgiveness. The realization chilled him more than the wind ever could. He missed her - missed them - but knew he had no right to ask for her return. Blinded by pride and anger, he had driven away the only person who truly understood him.

This garden, once filled with shared dreams and promises, had turned into a battlefield of memories; taunting him with glimpses of what could have been. The moon bore witness to his transformation from a proud lover to a remorseful loner. Under its silver hue he made a solemn promise, one that he intended to keep, not to win Olivia back but to change himself. To become the man she always believed him to be. It was his only path to redemption. Bathed in moonlight, Ethan made his way out of the garden. Behind him, the roses swayed gently in the breeze; as if bidding him farewell. He knew he would never return to this garden again, for it was not his sanctuary but hers. The memory of Olivia, her laughter, her joy would linger here forever; a testament of a love that was pure and true - a love that could have been theirs, if only he had chosen differently.

Wandering through the deserted roads of the city, his mind was filled with remorse. The street lamps cast long shadows, flickering with a melancholy rhythm that matched his heart. By the time he reached Olivia's home, dawn was breaking, casting a pallid glow on everything around. The sight of her house, quaint and enduring, brought a fresh wave of pain and longing.

As he approached, he saw her. Olivia, sitting on the porch steps, her face obscured by tousled waves of hair dancing in the morning wind. Before he could compose himself, she looked up and met his gaze. Eyes widened in surprise before quickly clouding over with confusion and hurt. He began to utter words of apology but was interrupted as she rushed into his arms, surprising them both.

Without pausing to think, she pressed her lips onto his in a desperate act of longing. It was brief and intense; a kiss filled with years of unspoken words and suppressed emotions. But as quickly as it began, Olivia pulled away, her eyes wide with shock at her own audacity. "I...I'm sorry," she stammered before sprinting back into the house and slamming the door shut.

Ethan stood there, rooted to the spot by surprise and confusion. Her kiss had been unexpected but not unwelcome; it stirred emotions within him that he thought were long dead.

A soft rain began to fall, washing over him like a cleansing river. He turned from the house and walked away slowly, each step heavier than the last. His heart was at war with itself: one part soaring with the hope that Olivia might still harbor feelings for him; another sinking with guilt for the pain he had caused.

His journey was not about pursuing Olivia anymore; it was about self-discovery and redemption. The burden of guilt weighed heavily on him but Ethan knew it was his cross to bear. He had walked this path consciously and now, it was his responsibility to make things right. As the memories of their shared past lingered in the morning rain, Ethan walked away with a renewed determination - to turn into the man he should have been all along.

Ethan's days turned into weeks and the weeks into months. The luxury of his world, once populated by champagne parties, exotic travels, and flirtatious socialites, felt like a hollow echo. Instead, he found himself drawn to the quiet simplicity of ordinary life. He volunteered at community centers, attended town meetings and even helped old Mrs. Hayworth with her gardening. Each selfless act was a small step towards redemption; each interaction was an opportunity to understand and connect with people who were once invisible in his opulent world.

In time, the residents of the small town started noticing the change in him. The cold, arrogant teenager was nowhere to be seen. In his stead stood a man radiating warmth and humility: A man worthy of respect and trust. Not everyone was quick to accept this change; whispers of skepticism echoed through the city's opulent halls and fancy drawing rooms. But Ethan remained unperturbed; he knew he was not doing this for their approval but for his own peace.

He would occasionally pass by Olivia's house, reliving those fleeting moments shared on her porch steps. The memories brought both joy and sorrow; joy for having experienced her love but sorrow for not cherishing it when he had the chance. Ethan had no delusions about winning Olivia back - he still bore the heavy burden of guilt - but he cherished these stolen moments that brought him closer to her if only in spirit.