My Lifeline

Bonus Chapter 3

Will's POV
Blythe

My chat with River didn't go as planned. I had been so sure that she would vote against the date with Blythe, but she seemed to be glowing with joy as soon as I told her about it. Perhaps I was reading into things all wrong. Maybe River really does see me as just a friend—which is fine. I understand. It would hurt if she doesn't feel the same, but I'll deal with it as long as she remains a part of my life. I never want to lose her.

As I'm walking down the corridor to meet Ryan in the parking lot to catch a lift home, someone calls out from behind me.

"Will!" Blythe says.

I swivel my head to glance over my shoulder and smile at her. Her expression is joyful and glowing as she jogs down the corridor to join me.

"Hey, Blythe," I greet her.

I know what I have to do, but I feel terrible to do it. Blythe is a lovely girl, and I can only hope that she finds the right person one day...but that person isn't me, and I can't pretend otherwise. I'm not going to lead her on when I know for a fact there's no romantic feelings for her in my heart.

All I can think about is River.

"How're you?" she asks, sounding out of breath.

"Tired. I'm ready to go home and jump into bed," I chuckle. "What about you?"

She claps her hands together and swings her arms around, showing off a large smile that beams her pearly whites. "The complete opposite. I have netball tonight, so I'm not tired in the slightest."

I blow out a deep breath and raise my eyebrows in a state of disbelief. "That sounds exhausting. I don't know how you do it."

Blythe giggles and tucks her blonde hair behind her ears, seemingly trying to find the right words to say. The blush on her cheeks proves that she's about to discuss the date.

"So..." she says. Her fingers fiddle with the straps of her handbag. "Have you thought about that date?"

My stomach sinks and my eyes close as I prepare to reject Blythe. I can't bare to look at her expression drop, so I stare at my feet instead.

"I'm really sorry, but I can't do it," I inform her in an apologetic tone. My breath gets trapped in my lungs as I wait for her reaction.

"Oh," she says quietly. "That's okay. I understand."

I shoot an apologetic smile in her direction, feeling my stomach churn when I see her sorrowful eyes. "I'm really sorry. It's honestly not you, you're great, but..."

"But, what?"

After glancing around the corridors to check no one's listening in, I let out a sigh and decide to just say it. "I like someone. Like, really like someone. I have for a long time."

Although she seems disappointed, Blythe lifts an understanding smile and nods her head. "It's okay. I promise. Actually, I really appreciate you telling me."

"Are you sure?"

Blythe lets out a loud laugh as we open the doors that lead into the parking lot. She flicks her hair behind her shoulder and stops walking so we can discuss the topic properly without any distractions. "I'm positive. So, who is this mystery girl? Anyone I know?"

"You know that girl I sit next to in our maths class? River Emerson?"

Blythe squints her eyes and takes a moment to think before realisation spreads over her features. "She's that quiet girl, right?"

I nod my head, smiling at the sheer thought of River. "That's her."

"She seems sweet. I haven't ever spoken to her before, but she's always been polite and well behaved. Got yourself a good one."

Nodding in agreement, I let out a sigh and allow my mind to run wild with thoughts of River. "She's amazing. There's nothing about her that I don't like. I'm just not sure if she likes me."

"Just ask her. What's the harm in trying?"

"I don't want to ruin our friendship," I admit in a low voice.

"I don't think it would—not if she's as great as you say she is. If she really is like that, she'll understand and she'll be there for you. It may change things slightly, but the friendship will continue. If she leaves because of that, you clearly deserve better. Plus, you never know, she could feel the same way."

As Blythe gives me one last smile and starts to walk away, I catch glimpse of River's car driving out of the school gates. My eyebrows pull together at the realisation that she barely spoke to me today. She's been acting distant and blunt, like she used to when we were simply acquaintances. I thought we were past that now. But she barely even looked in my direction when she passed me in the corridor at the end of the day. I tried to speak to her, but didn't get much back.

Could it...could it be because of Blythe? Because of what I said this morning about the potential possibility of a date taking place?

No. Surely not. It can't be. River would tell me if that was the case. She would say if it was a problem; if she didn't want me to go on the date. We tell each other everything, right? So what else could it be? Maybe something's happened at home. Maybe she's feeling down again.

I'll talk to her tomorrow in class. I'll get an answer out of her and make sure everything's okay.

One thing I know for sure, I'll admit how I feel. I don't know how I'm going to do it. The anxiety is already taking control over my body and making it hard to breathe. But I'll find a way.

Who knows, maybe she feels the same way.