Everything Can Be Fixed if you Fight

Posted on Sun Nov 3rd, 2024 @ 8:14pm by Lieutenant Commander Jason Frankley

911 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well

Jason ducked just in time to dodge the punch, letting it sail past him before stepping back and catching his breath. The sparring ring felt tight, like the walls were closing in. His opponent, a burly, ever-optimistic security officer named Harding, smirked, bouncing on his feet.

"You’re slower today, Frankley," Harding taunted, feinting a jab. "Head in the clouds?"

Jason dodged again, this time with less grace. “Nah, just taking it easy on you.”

Harding scoffed, his eyes lighting up. "Yeah, right. Word around is you got dumped by Adrianna Baciami. That true?"

Jason’s jaw tightened, his guard faltering. “That’s personal, Harding.”

“So, it's true.” Harding threw another punch, this one grazing Jason’s side. “Why’d she drop you?”

Jason clenched his fists, swallowing the instinctive urge to tell him off. “It was... my fault. Things got heated. Said things I didn’t mean.”

Harding’s eyebrows shot up as he stepped back, studying Jason. "So, that’s it? You’re giving up?”

Jason's fists lowered slightly, and he shot Harding a dark look. “She wants someone else. Someone she… loved before."

“So, she’s hung up on an old flame," Harding said, circling him. "Doesn't mean you just give up. Besides, you love her, don’t you?”

Jason swallowed, feeling the words stick in his throat. “Of course, I do. But sometimes… love isn’t enough.”

Harding stopped pacing and planted his hands on his hips, staring Jason down. “You’re giving me this 'love isn’t enough' speech? Really? Look, maybe you messed up. Fine. We all make mistakes, Frankley. But if she meant that much to you, you wouldn’t be here moping. You’d be doing everything you could to get her back.”

Jason laughed, dry and bitter. “You think I haven’t tried? You think I don’t want her back?”

Harding shrugged, crossing his arms. “Not hard enough if you’re ready to quit over a guy who’s not even around. Maybe she needs someone to show her he’s in it for the long haul. You messed up, fine. But she’s still here, and from what I can tell, so are you.”

Jason paused, fists flexing, his mind turning over Harding’s words. Despite everything, maybe he was right.

Jason took a deep breath, his chest tightening as Harding’s words sank in. He hated how much they made sense.

"She’s made it clear, Harding," Jason finally muttered. "She’s in love with Vance. I was just… there while she waited for him to come back." The admission hurt more than he’d expected, his voice dropping to a bitter murmur.

Harding shook his head, stepping closer. “Listen, Frankley. I've seen her look at you, alright? I don’t think you were ever just the rebound. Yeah, she’s got feelings for this Vance guy, but she let you in once, didn’t she?”

Jason’s jaw clenched. “Yeah. And I blew it.”

“So you’re just going to let her walk away?” Harding asked, voice softening just slightly. "How long are you planning to sit around beating yourself up?”

Jason’s shoulders slumped. He’d been asking himself that for days. He’d replayed the argument over and over, wishing he could take back every word, every reckless moment he’d let his temper flare. “She was right to leave,” he said quietly. “I pushed her too far.”

“Maybe. But even if that’s true, do you really think you can’t fix it?” Harding’s voice dropped, his expression hardening with resolve. “You’re one of the most determined people I know, Frankley. Don’t let this guy win by default. Show her you can be the man she needs.”

Jason looked up, meeting Harding’s gaze, and saw the challenge in his eyes.

“You think I haven’t tried?” Jason said, voice a mix of frustration and resignation. “I already told her I was sorry. I’ve tried to talk to her, to get her to see that I’d do anything to make it right.”

Harding nodded, but his expression was relentless. “Then keep going. Do more. Show her you’re serious, not just in words. Actions, Frankley. Be there for her, support her even if it means taking it slow. She might not be ready now, but who says she won’t be down the line? Don’t throw away something that could be real just because you’re afraid it’ll hurt.”

Jason took a shaky breath, Harding’s words slicing through his frustration and guilt like a knife. Maybe Harding was right; maybe he’d given up too easily, letting his mistakes define him. For all he knew, Adrianna hadn’t completely closed the door. He had to at least try to get back on solid ground with her, even if it meant starting from scratch.

“Alright, Harding,” Jason said, straightening up, feeling a sliver of determination pierce through his self-doubt. “Maybe you’re right.”

Harding cracked a grin and punched Jason’s shoulder. “There you go. That’s the Frankley I know. Now, how about we finish this sparring session, so you’re ready to show her you mean business?”

Jason smirked, raising his guard again. “You’re going to regret waking me up, Harding.”

He threw a jab, sharper and more focused than before, and Harding barely dodged, laughing as he readied himself for Jason’s renewed attack.

 

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