I didn't choose her, my heart did

The surprise

Keira's POV
It had been three weeks since my surgery and the recovery period was quite smooth. I had been at home for a fortnight, surrounded by Lucy's caring presence. She was always there, making sure I did not force myself and helping me with the daily tasks I could not yet do myself.

Although I greatly appreciated her care and attention, I slowly began to worry. I did not want Lucy to get into trouble or drop out of the team's starting selection because of her constant presence with me. After all, she was a professional athlete with her own career and goals, and I did not want to be the reason why she could not achieve her goals.
I knew I had to talk to her, share my concerns and make sure she knew I appreciated her support, but that I also wanted her to think about herself.

As we lay there on the sofa, embraced and close to each other, I couldn't help realising how quickly we had become so intimate. The first time was a little awkward, but soon it became a reflex. Whether I was on the sofa first or Lucy, it always ended with both of us in each other's arms, enjoying each other's closeness.

But in that moment, as Lucy lay beside me, her arm tightly wrapped around me, I knew I had an important conversation to make. I did not want her to risk her own career for my recovery. It was time to be honest, to tell her to go back to her training sessions.

I turned around so I could see her face, her beautiful smile replaced by a serious and concerned look. "What's up?" she asked, as if she could read my mind. But I knew I had to say this."Lucy, we need to talk," I began, my voice determined.

Lucy frowned slightly, a frown that momentarily disrupted her otherwise carefree face. "What's wrong, Kei?" she asked, her voice calm but with a hint of concern.

I swallowed for a moment, searching for the right words. "It's just... I feel guilty," I began hesitantly. "You've already spent so much time here with me, helping me with everything. But I don't want you to give up your own training for my recovery."

Lucy's face shifted slightly, as if she knew what was coming. "Kei, you don't have to worry. I'm here because I want to help," she replied, her voice soft but firm.

But I shook her head, my concern still clearly visible. "But what if this comes at the expense of your own career? What if you fall out of the standard selection because you are here instead of at training?"

Lucy sighed deeply and averted her gaze for a moment. "I don't want you to feel guilty, Kei. I'm here because I care about you, not because I feel I have to."

I looked straight at my friend, her eyes full of gratitude and a hint of sadness. "I appreciate everything you do for me, Luce. But I don't want you to give up your own dreams for me."

Lucy's gaze softened and she gently placed a hand on my shoulder. "Listen, Kei. I'll always be there for you, no matter what. We're teammates, friends. And friends help each other, right?"

I smiled weakly, my eyes glistening with emotion. "Yes, friends help each other," I whispered softly.

"All right, Kei. If that's what you want," she said, her voice a little muffled. It was clear she was not saying it with full conviction, but rather because she felt she had no choice.

The moment Lucy uttered the word "friends", it felt like my heart skipped a beat. Friends. The word hung in the air like a heavy burden, and I felt a stab of disappointment go through me. But I knew I had to put my own emotions aside, even though it felt like my heart would fall apart.

I nodded weakly, trying to keep my emotions under control. "Yes, friends," I said with a forced smile, trying to swallow away my tears. It was hard to accept that our relationship might never become more than that.

Lucy seemed to notice something was wrong, her gaze full of concern as she grabbed my hand. "Are you all right, Kei?" she asked worriedly.

I took a deep breath and nodded, my voice slightly stronger than before. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm just grateful for everything you do for me, Luce."

Lucy smiled gently and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "You don't have to thank me, Kei. I'm always here for you, no matter what."

Although her words comforted me, I still felt a knot in my stomach. But in that moment, I knew I had to put my own feelings aside and focus on my recovery. Because as hard as it was to accept, Lucy was here for me as a friend, and I had to learn to deal with that.