Whispers Of the Heart : High School

Chapter 21 : Revealed Secrets

The school was abuzz with the excitement of graduation day, with everyone gathered around the seniors, celebrating the culmination of their journey. Amidst the joyful atmosphere, Selena tried to catch Felix's attention, and as he walked over, a warm smile gracing his features, she congratulated him on his graduation.

"Congrats on graduation, Felix," she said genuinely.

"Thank you, Selena. Don't forget to take care of yourself, eat properly, and study on time," Felix replied, his tone carrying the familiar caring concern that he had always shown.

As Mira, Leon, and Myles joined them, the group's laughter and camaraderie created a bubble of happiness amidst the crowd. Felix's impending departure didn't dampen the spirits; instead, they celebrated the memories they had made and the bonds they had formed.

After a while, Felix excused himself and made his way to the rooftop, where Asher was waiting. The two friends exchanged words that held a deeper meaning, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

"It was eight years. That's how long my one-sided love was for Selena," Felix shared, his words tinged with a mix of nostalgia and resignation.

Asher smirked, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "I totally thought it was impossible to forget. But I was able to after meeting Selena. I was able to forget someone I loved for eight years," he responded, the weight of his words carrying the weight of their shared experiences.

A chuckle escaped both of them, a moment of camaraderie born from their shared journey of emotions. It was as if they were acknowledging the unexpected twists and turns that life could take.

As the day wound down and the sun began to set, Selena and Asher walked home together. The journey was accompanied by a sense of contentment, a feeling that they were moving forward, regardless of the challenges that lay ahead. But as they reached their destination, a shock froze Selena in her tracks.

In front of her stood two figures she knew all too well – her parents. The sight was unexpected, jolting Selena's heart with a mixture of surprise, disbelief, and a hint of trepidation. The emotions swirling within her were a storm that threatened to overwhelm her.

Time seemed to stand still as Selena faced her parents, their presence a reminder of the past and a possible bridge to her future. With a flurry of thoughts and feelings, Selena could only stand there, her gaze locked on the people who had once been a distant memory.

As Selena stood face-to-face with her parents, her heart raced in a mixture of emotions – surprise, uncertainty, and a sense of nostalgia. She could hardly believe they were here, standing before her after so long. Swallowing her nervousness, she mustered a smile and gestured to Asher.

"Mom, Dad, this is Asher," she introduced, keeping her voice steady despite the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind. "We actually live in the same apartment complex. What a coincidence, right?"

Her parents exchanged polite smiles with Asher, seemingly accepting the explanation without further inquiry. Selena, however, felt her insides twist with guilt for not disclosing the whole truth. She quickly directed her parents to wait outside for a moment, promising to join them shortly.

Once the door closed behind them, Selena turned to Asher, her eyes reflecting a mixture of worry and determination. 

Asher took a deep breath, her heart pounding as she hurried to tidy up her apartment. She hid Asher's shoes and other belongings, ensuring that the space appeared as though she lived alone. With a deep breath, she opened the door and motioned for her parents to come in.

"Mom, Dad, come on in," Moon greeted, doing her best to appear composed.

Her parents stepped inside, their eyes taking in the surroundings. Selena's mom smiled warmly, while her dad had a more scrutinizing look, as if he was trying to piece together the puzzle of her life.

Selena's mom glanced around, taking in the cozy living room. "Your place looks nice, Selena. It's lovely to see where you've been staying."

Selena offered a modest smile, leading them further into the apartment. "Thanks, Mom. Please make yourselves comfortable."

As they walked, Selena's dad's gaze landed on the closed door leading to the second bedroom. "What's in that room?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Selena's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly replied, "Oh, that's just a closet. You know, for storing things."

Her dad's brow furrowed slightly, but before he could inquire further, Asher entered with a tray of refreshments. The situation seemed to momentarily shift as Asher's presence brought a sense of normalcy to the room.

"Have you ever been here before?" Selena's dad asks

"No, it's my first time here" Asher says

Selena's dad spilled some of the refreshments accidentally, prompting Asher to jump into action. He rushed to grab napkins, cleaning up the spill with practiced efficiency.

"If this is your first time here, how did you know where the napkins were?" Selena's dad asked, a note of curiosity in his tone.

Selena's mind raced, and she felt Asher's eyes on her, waiting for her response. "Well, sometimes he helps me study, and he's been over a few times," she stammered, hoping her lie would hold up.

But Asher's expression shifted, and before Selena could intervene, he cleared his throat and spoke up, his voice firm. "Actually, I should be honest. Selena and I aren't just neighbors. We're dating."

Selena's heart raced as the weight of Asher's confession hung in the air. Her parents exchanged surprised glances, and Selena braced herself for their reaction.

As the minutes ticked by, conversation continued, albeit more awkwardly. Selena's dad's curiosity seemed to take over, and he approached the closed door to the second bedroom. With a slow, apprehensive breath, he opened the door, revealing Asher's bedroom – a sight that left him in evident shock.

Selena's attempts to explain faltered as her dad's stern expression hardened. "Selena, you will be coming home with us," he declared, his voice resolute.

The atmosphere grew tense as her parents exchanged heated words, their disagreement escalating. The situation seemed to spiral out of control as Asher, sensing the family matter, quietly excused himself, leaving Selena to face the storm that had erupted.

As her dad's words hung in the air, Selena's anger flared. She squared her shoulders, meeting her dad's gaze with defiance. "If you wish to continue living here, I will be forced to sever ties with you," he declared, his voice laced with disappointment and frustration.

The ultimatum hit Selena like a punch to the gut, a harsh reminder of the complexities that lay between her desires and her family's expectations. Fueled by anger and a stubborn determination, Selena turned on her heel and retreated to her room, the weight of the confrontation settling heavily on her shoulders.