It is apparent that Conrad is into me, and I am stupid because I secretly enjoy it. Don't forget, Arlo; no one can love you the way you love yourself. You don't need a man to tell you how pretty you are; even though you know you are average, you still like it. It is just desperation and the devil.
But he is too gorgeous. I would not say I would fall in love with him, but I feel attracted to him.
So I need to avoid him. I don't care how cliche it may sound, but I need to get good grades and get easily distracted.
A week has passed, and let's say I have been 90% successful at avoiding him at the campus. The other day he came and sat next to me, but after a few minutes, I got up and sat in another row. I know that wasn't nice. I have not responded to Conrad's messages. He has been texting Jesse, but I told her also to make some excuse. I need to push him away because once I accept him, there is no going back.
I should probably focus on Professor Hansley. He is just as gorgeous, I dare say even a little more, and there is no chance for us to date. So I am safe. The class just finished, and I have decided to go and talk to him so I don't have to face Conrad.
I am almost finished talking to him about extra credits when I see him looking behind me.
"I see someone's waiting for you; your boyfriend, is it?"
That was way too straightforward for a professor. What has gotten into him? He is making me quite nervous. I turn around, and it is Conrad.
"No, he is not. He is just a friend. I guess I'll work on that assignment then. Thank you so much, Professor Hansley."
"Don't worry about it, and it's just Erich. Alright, see you in class tomorrow."
I leave the room without saying anything to Conrad. I hear him coming after me. It is a bit dramatic, but I wouldn't know how to act normal around him in front of Professor Hansley or Erich.
"Arlo, wait!" I stop, waiting for him to reach me. I don't turn around, very like me.
"What have I done? You have not been responding to any of my texts, and now you are ignoring me. Did I do something wrong?" he says, panting heavily.
"No, you haven't done anything wrong. It's just me."
"You know I don't understand. Please tell me what's going on."
I take a deep breath. This has to be it. I need to finish it here. "Can you answer a simple question for me?" He waits silently for me to ask my terrifying question. " Do you like me? As in, are you into me? Please answer this as honestly as you can, Conrad." I can see the embarrassment on his face. I know I was being very blunt. It looks like he thinks it is a trick question as if there is even a wrong answer to this question. He collects himself, and his expressions suddenly change as a realisation hits him.
"Of course, I like you. Is that why you have been trying to push me away because I care?"
" Yes. I mean no..." He doesn't let me finish.
"Oh, so you don't like me, that is the reason, right?"
"No, I like you. A lot. That is the reason. I don't want to fall for someone. I get attached too easily and start acting all strange and insecure. I don't deserve your love Conrad or anyone. Nothing is ever enough for me. Besides, I get distracted very easily. Most importantly, I would never want to hurt you. You would have noticed. I only have a single friend and don't talk to anyone else. I don't want to end up hurting you, and I don't want to end up getting hurt."
"So instead of telling me all this, you decide to stop talking to me altogether. That is what hurt. I thought we were friends, which is not how you treat your friends. That is not how you treat anyone. Besides all this, I understand whatever you told me. I respect it, but you should have talked to me instead of treating me like that.""I am sorry." Come on, Arlo, say something; he is upset. It is all your fault; you are over-reacting, fool. But no words come out of our mouths, and we remain silent for the next few seconds until Conrad speaks.
" That is what being human is. You love, you get hurt, but you love again. You won't know how it feels unless you give yourself a chance to be loved, Arlo." He is walking away; I want to run after him and kiss him. Great, this is what my conscience is telling me to do?
I watch him walk away.
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The Love Triangle
RomanceArlo Jones, who refers to herself as socially challenged, goes to college, only to make some of the best memories which slowly turn into nightmares. As expected she meets the loves ahem... Love of her life but one event changes everything for her. I...