The History Of You And Me

April 2017.

*Edited*

"Are you avoiding me?"
Yes. Yes, I am.

"What? Why would I do that?"
I lie.

"Oh, I don't know... maybe because you've been ignoring my calls the last week and acting odd."
He says in a duh tone and I would roll my eyes at him if I wasn't feeling weirdly nervous right now.

"Bella, is it because of the pictures?"
A little bit.

"What?! No! Why would it be about the pictures?"
The pictures were only a small part of it, and that was weeks ago. A lot has happened since.

Like what?

Well... exactly a week ago, I went to surprise my best friend at work. He'd been doing so well and I wanted to show him how proud I was. Olli has been through a lot and he deserved everything that was happening to him and more.

So his favorite lunch in hand and a bag full of painting supplies, I'd gone into the building that had then become too familiar.

I walked in with a big smile on my face because I knew how much he wanted that specific painting brand equipment... He wasn't able to get them anywhere as they'd ran out. He didn't know this but I made it my personal mission to find them for him. That's what best friends are for, right?

 I couldn't wait to see the surprised look on his face when he saw the gift.

So I'd continued down the long dark corridor of the art gallery when I heard,

"I can't... not right now at least. She's happy, she's with someone. Besides, how do I tell my best friend in the world that I've been in love with her since I laid my eyes on her?"

I froze. Surely he was talking about another best friend I didn't know about.

"That is exactly how you tell her. She's Izzy, she's going to understand."

My heart started beating erratically against my chest.

"I don't know, Anna... I just - I would much rather not be with her than lose her altogether. I can't risk not having her in my life."

"But what if she feels the same way? If you said something at least you'd know. I don't think you're doing anyone a favor by not saying anything. She deserves to know."

"You think?"

"Yes Olli, you have to tell her how you feel!"

Everything else that was said that day pretty much went over my head.

I still have the gift in my apartment.

I haven't had the guts to face him since. But I knew I would've had to see him eventually... I just didn't think it would be here of all places.

"Bella, are you okay? You look a little... puzzled."

I guess puzzled pretty much sums up my feelings about... everything.

"All good."
I manage to finally say to him.

When I met Olli, my heart skipped a beat.