Unreciprocated Feelings Between Me And You

chapter | f o u r t e e n

fourteen | marriages and more problems

YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD also get to vote. That's the motion assigned to me and my team. The affirmative team.

It's lunchtime now but I decided to research for our upcoming debate instead. Elena told me earlier that Maddox was joining us today since Destiny was absent so I thought lunch was the perfect opportunity for me to flee and do my assignment. I just bought ice coffee from Madam Gabriel then headed off to the library. I'm also hoping that if I actually get to finish my little research, I could get my other homework finished.

I did some thinking last night and I have decided to distance myself from him. I'll just focus on myself and my studies. I already have a hard enough time trying to maintain my grades, I don't need another burden to worry about. This is what I should've done before but I didn't want to be away from him so I resorted to the hell I did back then. This time though, it's not about him anymore. If he needs a friend, I'll be there except for the clingy affections. If he doesn't like the treatment, there's nothing I can do about that. If he notices the distance, I have an excuse to give. If he gets hurt, I can reason.

I need space from him to let him go, to save our friendship, to be happy for them. For now, we'll just have to deal with the consequences of my choice no matter how difficult it may get.

For so long, I based my decisions on what would please everybody. I wanted to make the people around me happy and I still do. It's not gonna change any time soon, that much I know. But just this once, I want to actually do something for myself. I don't want to get hurt more than I already am so I have to move on from him. This is what I want and this is what I need. His feelings are clear and they're not gonna change. He loves Destiny, and that's all there is to say. Even if I did anything, my efforts would be futile. It would be embarrassing to even try.

I stop typing when my phone suddenly rings, its noise echoing throughout the entire library. I immediately answer it before someone comes and lectures me.

"Hello?" I whisper. I didn't even get the chance to check who called.

"Ate," my eyes widen slightly out of surprise. Why is she calling me at this hour? It's near midnight there already.

"What is it, Geraldine?" I ask her, gripping my phone tighter. I don't know, something feels off. Uneasiness crawl all over my skin and my stomach is tied into knots. What's happening at home?

I hear Geraldine call out to me again, this time in a much smaller voice. I hear a sniff next. What the hell?

"Geraldine," my voice becomes stern. "Are you crying?"

A sob escapes her lips now and that confirms my suspicion. My heart breaks for her. She sounds so hurt, so broken. God, what is happening? "Ate," she says again.

I brace myself for whatever she might say. "Geraldine, please," I close my eyes as I beg. "Just tell me what's going on."

"He's-He's getting married."

My eyes quickly open when I heard the words she uttered. I couldn't move. I don't think I can even breathe properly. I just keep the phone near me, clutching it tightly in my hand.

"Ate, did you hear me?"

I nod even though she can't see me. "Y-Yeah, I'm still here," I manage to say.

"He's gonna get married," she repeats and I furiously wipe the tears brimming in my eyes. "Ate, Daddy's gonna get married."

No, don't cry. You will not cry. You've been through tougher times, Selena. You're stronger than this. You're fine. You're fine.