𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 [rini au]

𝟷𝟸. 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚞

Ashlyn's pov

"Ash?" I heard someone say.

I was sitting at a table in the school cafeteria. I needed a moment to be alone. I couldn't stay there, because it was so embarrassing.

"I'm not in the mood to talk right now." I didn't even know who I was speaking to, since I haven't looked at the person yet, I was looking down. But that person did not leave, but sat down next to me instead.

"Don't you understand that I want to be alone?!" I said in a louder voice then I finally looked at the person.

"I understood but I think it would be good for you if we talk about it." the girl said.

"Why did you follow me?"

"We've all been looking for you for a while. But I'm the only one who found you."

I didn't answer, I just nodded and looked down again.

"So... you really don't want to talk about it..?"

"What is there to talk about? Huh? I embarrassed myself. God, I am so embarrassed.."

"You didn't embarrassed yourself, you just said how you fee-"

"No offense Gina, but I don't think you understand me right now. You don't know what it's like. I just told the boy that I like him and he didn't say it back. You don't know what it's like to like someone who doesn't like you."

She was silent for a moment but then she told me in a low voice: "You are wrong."

"Wh- what?"

"You're wrong." she started and this time she looked me in the eyes. "I know what it's like."

"What are you talking about?"

"I um-I like a boy who doesn't like me back." she said.

"Really?"

"Yeah..."

"Wow." I whispered. "I mean.. you are gorgeous and amazing. You are funny, talented.. Which idiot wouldn't want to date you?"

She laughed a little. "And you are too. Everything you named now is you too. You are beautiful inside and out. And your talent, god, I wish I could play the piano and sing like that, and the songs you write are the best." I smiled when I heard this.

"That's really sweet but you don't have to tell me just to cheer me up-"

"I said that because it is true. You have to realize that the problem is not in you or me. When they don't like us it's their problem, we can't blame ourselves."

"You are right."

"And did it ever happen that I wasn't right?" she said with a laugh. "And maybe Red likes you. He didn't tell you no."

"But he didn't say yes eithe-"

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean the answer is no. Maybe he was just shocked. He wasn't expecting it. None of us was."

"Maybe but I don't think so.. and how do you know your guy doesn't like you? Did he tell you that?"

"No.."

"You see, it's the same as me and Big R-"

"He has a girlfriend."

"Oh, okay maybe it's not the same. And are you okay?"

"Um well, I learned to live with it. It's hard because I have to look at them every day and see how they laugh, how happy they are... but she's my friend and I can't hurt her. He is her boyfriend and I have learned to respect it."