Soccer practice had been intense, with drills and exercises pushing us to our limits. Amidst the sweat and adrenaline, I felt a sudden urge to catch my breath and take a short break. I quietly excused myself from the field, telling the coach I needed a moment to grab a drink.
As I made my way towards the changing rooms, I hoped no one would notice my little escape. I just needed a brief moment before rejoining the practice. However, upon entering the changing area, my heart sank when I spotted Shauna sitting on a bench, her shoulders hunched, and her face buried in her hands.
My sister's best friend, and my secret crush, was in tears. My initial instinct was to leave and give her space, but I couldn't bear the thought of Shauna feeling upset or alone. So, mustering my courage, I quietly approached her and softly called her name.
"Shauna? Are you okay?" I asked gently, trying to sound as comforting as possible.
Startled, she looked up, her eyes red and teary. "Oh, hey," she managed to say, attempting to wipe away the evidence of her distress.
I sit down beside her and pull her into a hug. "You've been crying. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but I'm here if you need someone to listen."
Her defenses seemed to crumble, and she let out a deep sigh. "It's just... personal stuff. I didn't want anyone to see me like this." I nodded empathetically.
"You know," I said, trying to lighten the mood, "sometimes taking a break from everything can be helpful. Even if it's just for a few minutes."
A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Thank you."
"Anytime," I replied sincerely, feeling my heart swell with affection for her.
After a while, we both decided it was time to head back to practice. As we stood up, she gave me a grateful hug, and I couldn't help but feel like the world around us had faded into the background, leaving just the two of us in that moment.
We ran back onto the field but I couldn't stop stealing glances at her during practice, every smile she directed my way or the times our eyes met briefly made my heart skip a beat.
However, as much as I wanted to confess my feelings for her, a nagging doubt gnawed at me. Shauna was my sister's best friend, and I worried about how my sister, Jackie, would react if she found out about my crush. I didn't want to jeopardize their friendship or create any tension within our family.
I found myself torn between my desire to be honest and my fear of potential consequences.
One evening, after a particularly fun day at an amusement park, we found ourselves sitting together on a park bench, watching the sunset. The warm, golden hues of the fading day mirrored the warmth in my heart whenever I was with her.
"Do you ever feel like life is full of unexpected twists and turns?" Shauna asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
I nodded, a soft smile playing on my lips. "All the time. It's like we're constantly navigating through a maze of surprises and challenges."
She looked thoughtful for a moment before turning to me. "Can I tell you a secret?"
"Of course," I replied, my heart fluttering with curiosity.
"I think... I might have a crush on someone," she admitted, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks.
"Oh, really? That's... that's great," I managed to say, trying to hide the disappointment that tugged at my heart.
"Yeah," she said, looking down at her hands. "But I'm not sure if they feel the same way. And besides, it's complicated."
I understood the weight of her confession and the potential consequences, yet I couldn't suppress the surge of emotions that flooded me. "You only live once, Shauna. Go for it, and if they don't appreciate you, then that's their loss," I encouraged, forcing a smile even though my heart felt heavy.
Her voice barely above a whisper, she asked, "You think?"
"I know," I replied confidently, willing her to believe in herself.
As I gazed at the setting sun, trying to hide my disappointment, Shauna suddenly said my name. I turned to face her, and before I knew it, she tugged on my shirt, drawing me close. In a breathtaking moment, she kissed me, and everything else faded away. My cheeks flushed with warmth as she pulled away, leaving me stunned and amazed.
"You're the one I like," she said with a smile, her vulnerability only making her more endearing.
For a moment, I was speechless, lost in the overwhelming rush of emotions. Shauna seemed unsure, and I couldn't bear to see her like that.
"Can you kiss me again so I know I'm not dreaming?" I found myself blurting out, my heart pounding in my chest.
Her smile returned, radiant, as she pulled me closer, and the world seemed to stop once more. In her arms, everything felt right, and my doubts vanished.
I knew there might be challenges ahead, especially with my sister, Jackie, but in that moment, I realized that I wanted to be with Shauna, no matter the consequences. I wanted to hold her hand, to laugh with her, and to share moments of life together.
As we embraced, I made a silent promise to myself to cherish this and to face whatever came our way. While I couldn't predict Jackie's reaction, my heart was set on being with Shauna.
