Moonlit Man (bxb)

Chapter 11 - Ruin The Friendship

The stinging sensation scorched the tip of his tongue before he retreated and placed the mug back on the table, while restraining himself from frowning in pain. He was now fidgeting with the saltshaker, pouring a little on the table as he proceeded to draw lines within it, like a child who was told to wait for their food to arrive. Sam felt uneasy as he mustered up the courage to speak.

Kate was sitting nervously as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders. A glint of nervousness mixed with excitement flashed across her as she pondered on how to form her feelings into words. A low hubbub of chatter filled the café, accompanied by the smell of roasted coffee beans and savory foods. They didn't speak much before entering the café and both of them were now growing tired of the somewhat awkward silence between them. Simultaneously they said,

"I"

"Um... I"

A smile appeared on both their faces as they attempted to hide the mutual feelings of nervousness and awkwardness. Sam looked down, at the table and back up at her as he regained his breathe, in an attempt to settle himself. 

"No, it's okay. You go first."

"Okay, I just want to say something that I've been thinking about for a while now," Kate now leaned back and pushed her blonde locks to the back of her shoulders. Her voice was a semi-tone lower which usually ensued when she was nervous. The glow from the nearby window made her blonde hair seem brighter than it was, while highlighting her softly shaped face. The silver hoop earrings peeked through her pin straight hair and dangled gently when she moved.

"We've known each other for about three years now, and I know that what I'm about to say might change things... I just want you to promise me that whatever I say, nothing changes between us." She looked at Sam's hazel eyes with a thoughtful yet nervous look.

Sam glanced at her hands which were both resting on the top of her mug. He placed his hand on top of hers as a feeling of admiration for his best friend came over him, shortly followed by a slightly furrowed brow as a twang of curiousness followed. He thought that whatever she had to say, couldn't have been as life changing as what he was about to reveal about himself. He looked at her and said,

"What do you mean Katie? Nothing you can say is going to stop me from being your best friend. You can tell me anything. I promise." He reassured her by clasping her hands tighter, while preparing himself to expose himself of his true nature.

After a few seconds she confessed.

"I love you Sammy... I can't believe I'm saying this, but I really do. I don't think I've ever met a person who understands me like you do. You make me laugh; you make me feel supported and protected. You're real. Genuine."

Just like that Sam's world came crashing down. Kate managed to undo all the courage he managed to gather in just a few short words. He pondered those three short words,

I love you.

He'd heard them before, but not in that way. Sam slowly peeled his hands away from hers as a flood of thoughts bombarded his wrecked mind. Shards of dread pierced through him as the last thing he wanted to do was to tell his best friend that he did not love her – at least not in the way she wanted or the way in which she deserved.

"Katie I –"

"Can I get you two a refill?" The waitress said as she approached their table with a jug of black coffee.

"No, we're good thank you," Sam retorted, while maintaining eye contact with Kate. Her face gradually faded from a nervous smile to a blank, neutral face, like a flower slowly losing its vibrance. "Katie... I appreciate the strength it took for you to say that; I really do. I appreciate the friendship we have, and I am very grateful for everything you've done for me. But I –"

"But you don't feel the same way." She said in a barely audible tone as her eyes shot down to the table.

"Actually I'm –" He was interrupted again.

"It's okay Sam. I shouldn't have said anything. God, I'm such an idiot." She shuffled around for her handbag while avoiding eye contact with Sam. The usual brightness in her eyes was dampened by the thin film of water up which dwelled up within them. She quickly got to her feet, causing the wooden chair to scrape against the floor while one hand reached inside her black Birkin and rummaged around for a crisp fifty-dollar bill. Then, as if on autopilot she said, "Never mind, let's get back to Devereaux's, I'm sure she's finished by now."