Stuck in the Middle

No More Secrets

(*Mariah's POV*)

I was laying in bed, replaying what happened with Justin. When I heard a knock on the front door.

I hopped off the bed and ran to the door, expecting Caleb.

"Caleb I told you to call." I said as I opened the door, but Caleb wasn't standing there, it was Tyler and Jade.

"Caleb?" Tyler asked, confused.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked, ignoring his question.

"We need to talk to you." Tyler said, moving back so he was standing next to Jade.

"I don't know..." I said, I wasn't in the mood to give people chances.

"You don't have to talk, just listen." He sounded nervous.

I didn't say anything, just nodded and sat down on the porch.

Jade seemed uneasy, but I saw Tyler squeeze her hand, assuring her. I remember when he used to do that to me, I looked away, not wanting them to see me cry.

Jade cleared her throat and I gave her my full attention.

"You know that girl I was with, when you were at the mall?" She started choking up.

I shook my head, not knowing what to expect.

"She's my girlfriend." She finished, sobbing.

"Jade..." I said, walking up to her. I didn't care if I was supposed to be mad at her. I grabbed her and hugged her.

"Shhh, its ok. I'm here for you." I said, trying to soothe her.

When she calmed down I let go of her.

"How did you know?" I asked her, wanting to understand.

"You made me see it." She looked me in the eyes.

"You were the first girl I had feelings for." She finished hesitantly.

"Oh" Was all I could say.

She nodded her head.

I was trying to let it soak in, after a while Tyler cleared his throat.

I looked at him, he came closer to me and held both my hands in his, I missed him.

"This is really hard for me." He started. I saw Jade giving him a thumbs up from the corner of my eye. Did she know?

"Mariah. I lied." He continued. He took a deep breath.

"I AM in love with you." He said, waiting for my reaction.

I was speechless. I literally sat there with my mouth open. I slowly pulled my hands away from his. I stood up and walked across the porch, away from Tyler and Jade. Too much stuff was happening in one day. Justin came back to town, Jade has a girlfriend, and Tyler is saying he's in love with me.

I closed my eyes for a minute, trying to think.

I felt Tyler walk up behind me, I turned around so I was facing him.

"I wanted so badly to tell you, but fear made me keep it a secret. I didn't want to ruin the friendship we worked so hard to build. Please tell me you understand." He was pleading now.

"I understand." I told him, looking into his eyes. I really did.

"I love you Mariah." He whispered.

I tensed up when he said it, he had feelings for me. REAL feelings.

What does he see in me? I'm not special. I'm not pretty like Jade or anyone else, there's nothing about me that stands out. I'm ordinary.

"I need some space." I told him, slightly pushing him away. He nodded and walked towards Jade, who followed him, they left.

I sat on the porch a little longer. Footsteps were approaching, but I didn't bother to look up.

"You ok?" It was Caleb.

"I had a rough day." I told him.

He nodded and took a seat next to me.

"Can I ask you something, just as a friend?" I asked him quietly.

He turned his body towards me.

"Do you think I'm pretty?" I asked him, needing an honest answer.

"No." He answered.

I nodded, that's what I wanted to hear, that's what I NEEDED to hear.

"You're beautiful." He told me, staring into my eyes.

I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.

"How?" I asked him quietly.

"Your eyes, your personality, your strength, your heart, your everything." He said, his green eyes pierced through mine.

His face inched closer to me, I didn't move. I should enjoy this, I have a chance to kiss Caleb, but that's not the person I am anymore, I built a wall around my heart, and no one is getting in that easy. Right before his lips touched mine I turned my head and he kissed my cheek.

I cleared my throat."I'm sorry." I said, looking at him.

"Why won't you kiss me?" He asked, he seemed shocked.

"I've um had a rough day." I said hesitantly.

"Fine." He said, knowing that wasn't the real reason.

He got up and began to leave, I wanted so badly to stop him, to tell him to stay with me because I felt so alone after what happened today but I didn't.

I let him go home and I cried on my porch wondering what was happening with my life.

I laid in bed until sleep took over.

I only slept for a few hours When I woke up to a tapping on my window...