The Heart Beats in its Cage (A Strokes fan fiction)

Your Life is a Soap Opera

"Alright girls, looks like we've arrived at our destination!" Fabrizio said as we pulled up to the driveway of my house.

The girls wouldn't stop talking to Fab the whole drive home. I was relieved when we parked. I could have a minute or two of peace finally.

Fabrizio got out of the car and walked us all to my front door. 

"It was really nice meeting you girls. You're very... interesting." He said with a smile.

"Thanks, hope I see you again soon. At school I mean..." Heather said as she giggled and stared at Fab. How embarrassing.

He laughed, "Yeah, of course. Have a nice day you guys." He said and waved at them as they walked inside the house. I stayed behind to say a proper goodbye to him.

"Hey Lucy..." Fab said as he pulled me aside.

"Yeah?" I said nervously. He had very dreamy eyes, and his curly hair would sometimes come down and cover them, so he had to run his finger through and brush them back a bit. I found it really cute.

He scratched his head and took a deep breath. "I was wondering... I mean if it's not too much of a bother..." He sighed frustrated. 

"Look, I don't how to say this so I'm just going to blurt it out. I can't stop thinking about you. You're absolutely beautiful. Your personality is amazing. I really want to get to know you better. I wanted to know if it was alright with you, if I could call you?"

I was surprised. I opened my eyes wide and let out a "wow" under my breath.

"What was that?" He asked me.

"Oh I'm sorry. It was nothing, I'm just surprised by what you said." I answered.

"Well I know it's weird that I told you all this... I mean, we literally just met. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything." He sighed again.

"I feel chemistry between us, there is something here. And you told me you didn't have a guy in your life so I thought that it'd be... okay for me to say all this to you... Um..."

But he's wrong. I know Julian isn't my boyfriend. But he's in my life. And I can't lead someone like Fab on if I'm thinking about Jules all the time. The fact of the matter is, I'm in love with Julian. Always have. I can't do this to Fab. Sure there's chemistry there, and he's the only guy I've ever remotely been attracted to besides Julian my whole life. But I can't do this, it's too much pressure... I mean, like he said. We literally just met each other. I don't want to be hasty and jump into something right now.

"Look Fabrizio..." I started, but I couldn't find the words to finish my sentence.

"I'm sorry Lucy. I'm not trying to pressure you into a relationship or anything like that. I just... wanna get to know you better. I wanted to let my intentions be clear to you. I hope you didn't take what I said in the wrong way." 

My mind became flooded with thoughts but I couldn't say anything. I didn't want to say the wrong thing.

He continued, "I want to be friends with you, okay? All I want is to get to know you better. You interest me in every way possible."

Flustered, I finally spoke up and said, "I'll see you at school, okay Fab? Thank you for the ride." I said quickly.

I glanced at him... I could see the sadness brewing on his face. I'm such a bitch. It must have taken so much courage to speak his mind like that. He's so honest.

I turned away from him and walked towards my door. I looked back and saw him getting in his car. As he was backing away in the driveway he put one hand up to say goodbye. He looked so sad... This is breaking my heart.