Love Beyond Borders [ON-GOING]

CHAPTER 6: THE WEIGHT OF CHOICES

In love people pretend to be someone when they are not proud to their self. Some of them pretend to be perfect which they are not. We tend to show them that we are the best for them.

NOAH'S POV

I watched couples around me, their relationships seemingly perfect, while I was still nursing the wounds from my ex-girlfriend cheating on me with a basketball player, a guy who was practically a celebrity at our school.

It stung to be reminded that I was just the "nerd" type, while my friends told me I was cute but not handsome.

As I sat in the library, trying to concentrate on my homework, an ad for Tinder popped up: "Find the best person for real love!"

I rolled my eyes and closed it. As if that would solve my problems.

I was about to leave when I ran into her. Or rather, her boyfriend. Tony, the guy who had taken my ex from me, bumped into me on purpose.

"Watch out, YOU NERD!" he sneered.

I clenched my fist, feeling the urge to punch him. But when my gaze met Sandy's Tony's girlfriend.

I backed down. I couldn't stoop to his level.

"Sorry," I muttered and walked away, frustrated.

Tony was handsome, athletic, and popular, while I felt invisible, despite my basketball skills. I just wasn't cut out for their team.

When I got home, I opened my laptop and hesitated for a moment before signing into Tinder. I thought about taking a selfie, but I hated how I looked in every photo.

Wait a second! I could use Draven's pictures. He wouldn't mind, right? I'd tell him later.

After filling out the profile, I hit "log in," and just like that, I was in the Tinder world.

I swiped through a bunch of profiles, most of which seemed shallow, looking for someone to "spoil" them. After about ten minutes, I had a flurry of matches.

"Damn, Draven, you're hot and really pulling in these girls," I muttered to myself, trying to ignore the ego boost that came from his pictures.

Then I spotted her. A girl with natural beauty, older by a year, and she worked in publishing. She had to love books, which meant she might get me. I swiped right, crossing my fingers for a match.

After what felt like forever, a notification pinged: YOU AND EILEEN MATCHED!

I was thrilled but also clueless about what to do next. Should I start a conversation? What if she realized I wasn't Draven? I felt like I was deceiving her.

I texted Draven, asking him to meet up. As usual, he was late.

When he finally arrived, I could tell something was off. His face looked puffy; he must have broken another girl's heart. He always wore that look when he felt guilty.

"Yo, Draven, what happened to your face? Let me guess, you broke someone's heart again?" I teased.

"Well, you know me, Noah. Living in a nice city like Australia means I'm probably doing the opposite of nice," he replied, trying to play it cool.

I hesitated, but I needed his help. "So, I kind of made a Tinder account, but since I hate myself, I used your name and photos. There's a hot girl from New York who matched with me. Can you help me out?"

His eyes widened. "What the heck, bro? You're catfishing me?"

I winced at the truth in his words. "I mean, I'm not a catfish, but maybe I am... just help me out. Log into my account while I study. I'll chat with her when I have time."

I didn't trust him entirely, especially with Eileen. But I had made a mess of things, and I needed him.

"Fine, give me your account info. I've got to go; Mom is probably looking for me," Draven said, shaking his head.

"Thanks, bro. I owe you one," I replied, relieved.

When I got home, I opened my phone to see that Draven had already started chatting with Eileen.

Watching them exchange messages made my stomach twist. What if he was actually charming her? I felt jealousy creeping in.

Maybe I should just give up. I didn't want to pretend to be someone else anymore. This wasn't me.

A week passed, and I decided to drop by Draven's place, but his maid said he was out. I called him immediately.

"Hey, bro. I came to your house, but your maid said you were gone. What happened?" I asked.

He sighed, explaining he was having issues with his dad.

"Well, take care of that. How's chatting with Eileen? Did she fall for you?" I couldn't help but ask, knowing I shouldn't.

"Bro, you're supposed to be chatting with her, not me," Draven replied.

He was right, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd messed everything up by pretending to be him.

"Well, that's on you now. I mean, she probably doesn't like nerdy types like me anyway. You're the one she wants," I said sadly.

"Are you sure, bro? You know I'm not good with serious relationships," Draven said, his tone cautious.

Maybe I could help him forget Anikka, his first love.

"Did you forget about Anikka? She's gone now, bro. Good luck," I said, cutting the conversation short.

After I hung up, guilt washed over me. Maybe I should have been honest with Eileen from the start.

In love, honesty was crucial. I didn't want to be the bad guy in this story.

To be continued...