Twisted Chances

7. Niko

"Want an ice cream?" I asked Nia.

I just confessed to Nia about all my feelings that I have been hiding for the last eleven years.

And I still have not gotten an answer.

I hope she likes me.

Even a little bit would be fine for me.

I can make her love me if I get to know that she likes me even a little bit back.

Yeah, she has to like me at least, or else why would she offer me that?

I just hope she does.

We are now back in my car eating ice cream.

None of us uttered a single word as an air of tension surrounded us.

"Niko, about what you said earlier", Nia said breaking the tension in the air.

This is it.

"I am sorry but I don't see you the way you do. I don't like you romantically, Niko." Nia said.

"You are like a brother to me. I have never thought about you like that", she continued.

I should have expected this.

I even had myself prepared before.

But it still hurts like hell.

Fuck, I can not cry now.

I have to be strong.

I can't make Nia feel awkward.

"I just hope we can still be friends. I hope this does not damage our friendship. I don't want to lose such a kind, living, and responsible friend like you", Nia said.

Her words stabbed me in my heart.

Every single one of them.

I expected all of this but it still hurts.

Shit.

How can I still stay friends with you, Nia?

How can I?

If only I had not confessed.

I should have never confessed to you.

I am a fool. Such a fool!

There was a storm blowing inside me as I kept my emotions hidden from her.

I kept a stoic face so that Nia did not understand anything, all the pain that I was feeling.

"Niko? So, can we still be friends?", She asked looking at me, concerned with her beautiful light brown eyes

Friends? Yeah sure. I guess we have to.

I thought you were my fated partner Nia.

I loved you with my everything.

Friends? Yeah, I guess we can stay.

But what about my love for you?

What will I do with it now?

I guess I have to get rid of them.

The longer I keep it, the longer it will hurt me and the more our friendship will deteriorate. And the more you will feel guilty and sad.

And I can not see you sad, sweetheart.