Unreciprocated Feelings Between Me And You

chapter | t w o

two | friends and reunions

THE DOOR OPENS and I immediately find myself face to face with Beverly whose kind smile is on display. I let out a breath I'm holding before a smile of my own forms.

The next thing I know, Beverly and I are sharing a tight hug. I immediately melt into the warmth of her embrace and I feel tears spring to my eyes. I have never been a crybaby. I didn't cry when my father left, when my parents divorced, and not even when my sister left to go to the Philippines—so I'm shocked I'm reacting this way.

It suddenly hits me just how much of a rollercoaster ride this night would turn out to be. I'll finally see people who mean so much to me after many years of disconnection—I am not prepared for this.

I quickly blink my tears away when we pull apart. "Oh, look at you! You've grown into such a beautiful young lady!" she praises.

I feel blood rush to my cheeks upon hearing her acclaim. It isn't rare for me to get compliments but I've never really been good at receiving them. My friends once told me that I'm the problem because I'm too modest for my good when I should accept them with a head held high instead, but I never listened to their advice.

I just smile shyly at her before stepping back and letting Beverly and mom greet each other. I've never really thought about it but now I'm curious to know how long they've been friends and how it all started. I'm sure there's a story behind that. "I'm so glad you were able to make it," Beverly says as she closes the door behind her. "Well, c'mon then, time to eat."

The walk going to the dining room suddenly feels so long. I don't know if it's because I'm walking slow, or if it's because of the rapid beating of my heart, or if it's simply because this house is too big, but it does.

"You came just in time," Beverly says with a big smile on her face as she leads us further into her home. "Everybody's already here."

"Everybody?" I can't help but ask quite timidly.

Her smile seems to grow just a tad wider. "Everybody."

Yeah, that's no good.

You can handle this, Selena. You can do this. Get a grip on yourself.

I look around the house in an attempt to distract myself. If my mom notices how uneasy I've become, she'll suspect that it's because I'm going to see the boys again and that can't happen. If it does, I'm as good as dead.

My parents rarely concurred on anything when they were still together but one of the things they agreed on was their dislike for boys. This resentment still lives on today. I'm forbidden to get close to any boys and form romantic relationships with them so imagine my horror if my mother finds out I have four close friends who are boys and one secret best friend who's the same guy I used to have a crush on. And of course, there's my father as well. If he finds out about this, I'm pretty sure he'd shave my head bald. I wish this is an exaggeration but it's true.

I let my eyes wander their massive living room. Most of the things in the house are still the same except for some new or rearranged furniture. The place still stuck to its rustic roots basing on all the woods and stones but the decorations they used all over the house are very modern-inspired. I liked this about their house the first time I stepped foot here and my opinion remains.