From My Love to My Life (MXM) (sequel to From My Enemy to My Love)

Chapter 35

Kannika Watakeekul

My bedroom door was open so I saw Bree, but she knocked on the doorframe anyway. "Are you ready?" she asked.

"Yeah," I said. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror just to make sure my hair was in place and my makeup wasn't smudged, then I followed her to her car. We were a little later going to the party than usual because I had wanted to watch Chet's game. He had won his first western conference finals. I had screamed when his team won. Alice came out of her room briefly to make sure I wasn't hurt before retreating back into her room.

"You look good in pink," Bree said as she started the engine.

"Thank you," I said. Compliments were always nice and if I hadn't known she had a crush on me, I would have complimented her back. But I didn't want to lead her on in any way. Maybe I was reading too much into it and I should have just complimented her anyway. I didn't have to be attracted to her to see that she was pretty. I adjusted in my seat, almost ready to let the compliment come out, but I stopped myself. It might make it harder for her to get over me if I started giving her compliments.

We were both silent as we drove along the city streets. Gareth was going to meet us there again with his friend. It was strange. I never realized some part of me was always on edge at those parties until Gareth started going too. I felt safe when he was around. It wasn't because he was a man or that he was stronger than me, because he wasn't. I was pretty sure I could take him in a physical fight. Not that he was weak either. I just knew how to fight. As much as I thought of Bree as a friend as well as some of the others at those parties, I didn't completely trust them. I trusted Gareth. I trusted him completely.

When we got close to the party, Bree missed the turn. I lifted a finger in the direction we were supposed to be headed in, but quickly dropped it when she began to speak.

"Is there even the slightest possibility that some time in the future, you could be attracted to me?" she asked. "That you could reciprocate my feelings?" The pain and desperate hope were obvious in her voice.

"No," I said gently. "If it were going to happen, it would've happened by now. It's not because it's you. I've never been attracted to another woman. I'm sorry, Bree. I truly am."

Her lips pinched tight. She swallowed hard as she nodded. She smiled as if she was completely fine with it, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.

"I understand," she said. "There is no reason for you to apologize. I should be the one apologizing. You've already told me how you felt and I brought it up again."

"You don't need to be sorry either," I said.

She sighed. Something shifted inside her. I wasn't sure what it was but something was now different. She turned the car around back towards the party. She was silent a moment before she said, "I think I should move out."

I opened my mouth to tell her not to, but she kept going.

"We can still be friends, still hang out and go to parties. But I don't think I should live there anymore. It's too hard for me." Her voice was strong and clear of the pain that had been there earlier.

"Okay," I said. I didn't really want her to move out. I liked having her as a roommate, but it wasn't my place to stop her. It would probably be good for her mental health to remove herself from this situation. It might even help our friendship in the long run.

We arrived at our destination. We found a spot among the cars lined up along the street and park. I looked for Gareth's friend's car. Pete. I didn't see his car. I thought they must not have arrived yet, but then I saw Gareth's car.