Clearer Skies

FIVE

HANNA'S POV

Present...

And that's how we got here, prom night.

"Hanna," He sighs.  I inhaled then exhaled. "I'm so sorry but I don't feel the same way. You are just my best and closest friend, nothing more." His voice was suddenly getting distance away from me. As I try processing what he just said. "I see you as a sister."

Sister. The word rings in my ears.

My heart dropped......along with the glass cup in my hand. They shattered simultaneously.

"Hanna!" He gasped, in unison with the people around who had the shattering sound over the loud music.

I stumbled back, my eyes staring at the shattered glass then I turned back up to him with wide eyes. My heart running a mile. I took my eyes off him and took off. Running away from the crowd of fellow school mates and class mates. My navy Cinderella dress was not helping me run any faster so I picked up the hem and kept running closer to the door. I heard feint calls of my name twice mixed with the music playing but I was too embarrassed to look back or stare at anyone. Proving why I felt humiliated. I was just so glad the music didn't stop playing when the glass dropped because it would have grabbed more attention.

I pushed the door open and got out. Just then I bumped into someone.

"Hey!" He yelled from shock. I stared at the unfamiliar face with bright amber eyes that is easily spotted from the light coming above the door outside.

"I'm sorry. " I managed to let out before running past him.

It was late and dark outside. The street lights and cars driving past are what brightened the night.

I turned right once I am out of the school building. I kept running on the place until I was as far away from the school as possible. There were just a few people passing by. I couldn't hold the tears any longer. I stopped and fell.

My hope felt crushed.

Sister, he said. Could he make me feel any worse than that word? The family word with no sense of romance. The noun with a definite closed door to anything romantic. A word with no attraction towards the other.

I don't feel the same way. He doesn't feel the same way.

A sob burst out from my lips. My chest hurts. I felt like a knife was being twisted inside of me. It felt way more painful than I was terrified of. Way more than I imagined. Not only did I felt stupid. I wanted to hate myself so much for growing these feelings for him.

"Hanna!"

I heard from behind me, in my squated position on the ground. My sobs came to a halt as I turned around to meet a running Riley.

"Gosh! I have been trying to catch up with you!" She said while trying to catch her breath. She stopped and got down next to me. She looked into my eyes. "Hanna." she stared at me with concern.

I burst out crying yet again. She immediately pulled me into her warm embrace. "I'm so sorry Hanna."

I couldn't even speak to tell her it wasn't her felt. Why is she sorry? For so long, for years I have been hoping and dreaming of being in a romantic relationship with him. I really had high hopes that he might say yes because he is comfortable with me, he tells me everything, he cares about me, he cheers me up when I'm in my lowest. He brightens my day. We have fun together. How does he not see me in a romantic way?

This is why I would rather keep it to myself. I prefer dreaming that the day would come then facing the reality of being rejected. I'm such a fool!

Riley kept drawing circles at my back as she comforts me. "It's going to be okay, Hanna."