The Fake Love

Chapter 7

The aftermath of the intense confrontation between Alvarist and Chad had left a significant impact on both Arselia and Alvarist. As the weeks turned into months, the echoes of that event slowly began to fade, but the underlying emotions and unresolved tensions continued to shape their interactions.

Chad, humiliated and defeated, had left for Italy shortly after the incident. His departure was abrupt, leaving behind a trail of whispers and rumors. Some said he was running away from the shame, others believed he had been sent away by his family to straighten him out. Regardless of the reasons, his absence was palpable, especially for Arselia, who had to face the repercussions of their broken relationship.

As Alvarist and Arselia entered their ninth-grade year, their bond continued to grow stronger, albeit in different ways. Alvarist's feelings for Arselia remained as deep as ever, but he had learned to keep them hidden, fearing that revealing them would jeopardize their friendship. Arselia, on the other hand, saw Alvarist as a pillar of strength and comfort, someone she could rely on without hesitation.

One afternoon, as they walked home from school together, the conversation turned to Chad.

"Do you ever wonder what happened to Chad after he left?" Arselia asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of sadness.

Alvarist shrugged, trying to mask his true feelings. "Not really. He made his choices, and now he's dealing with the consequences. How about you? Do you think about him?"

Arselia sighed, her gaze distant. "Sometimes. It's hard not to. Despite everything, he was a big part of my life for a while. But I'm glad he's gone. I feel like I can finally move on."

Alvarist nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and sorrow. He wanted nothing more than to be the one who helped her move on, but he knew that pushing his feelings on her now would be selfish.

As the weeks turned into months, Alvarist and Arselia continued to support each other through the ups and downs of high school life. They became inseparable, their friendship the envy of many. They studied together, participated in extracurricular activities, and spent countless hours talking about their dreams and aspirations.

But beneath the surface, Alvarist's feelings remained a constant, aching presence. He longed to tell Arselia how he truly felt, to let her know that his love for her went beyond friendship. But he also feared that doing so would ruin everything they had built.

One evening, as they sat together in Alvarist's backyard, Arselia turned to him with a thoughtful expression. "Alvarist, do you ever think about the future?"

"All the time," he replied, trying to keep his tone casual. "Why do you ask?"

"I don't know," she said, her gaze fixed on the stars. "I guess I just wonder where we'll end up, you know? We've been through so much together, and I can't imagine my life without you in it."

Alvarist's heart skipped a beat. He wanted to tell her that he couldn't imagine his life without her either, but he held back. "I feel the same way, Arselia. No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you."

Arselia smiled, her eyes shining with gratitude. "You're the best friend anyone could ask for, Alvarist."

As the school year progressed, Arselia began to notice subtle changes in Alvarist. He seemed more introspective, his smiles sometimes tinged with a sadness she couldn't quite understand. She wanted to ask him about it, but she feared pushing him away.

One day, as they sat in the school courtyard, Arselia decided to broach the subject. "Alvarist, is everything okay? You've seemed a bit... off lately."

Alvarist looked at her, his expression a mix of surprise and gratitude. "I'm fine, Arselia. Just a lot on my mind, I guess."

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked, her concern evident.

He shook his head, forcing a smile. "Not right now. But thank you for asking. It means a lot."

Arselia nodded, accepting his response but still feeling a pang of worry. She hated seeing him like this, and she wished there was something she could do to help.

As the months continued to pass, Alvarist and Arselia's friendship remained strong, but the unspoken feelings between them began to create an invisible barrier. Alvarist's love for Arselia grew with each passing day, but he continued to keep it hidden, fearing the consequences of revealing the truth.

Arselia, meanwhile, found herself increasingly torn. She cherished her friendship with Alvarist, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. She yearned for a deeper connection, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

One afternoon, as they walked home from school, Alvarist finally decided to broach the subject that had been weighing on his mind for so long.

"Arselia," he began, his voice hesitant. "There's something I need to tell you."

Arselia looked at him, her heart pounding. "What is it, Alvarist?"

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. "I... I've been keeping something from you. For a long time."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "What is it? You can tell me anything."

He hesitated, his heart aching with the weight of his unspoken feelings. "I've been in love with you for so long, Arselia. But I've been too afraid to tell you because I didn't want to risk our friendship."

Arselia's breath caught in her throat, her mind racing. She had always suspected that Alvarist harbored deeper feelings for her, but hearing him say it out loud was a different matter entirely.

"Alvarist," she began, her voice trembling. "I... I don't know what to say."

He looked at her, his eyes filled with vulnerability. "You don't have to say anything. I just needed you to know. I understand if you don't feel the same way, and I don't want you to feel pressured. I just couldn't keep it inside any longer."

Arselia's mind raced with conflicting emotions. She cared for Alvarist deeply, but she wasn't sure if her feelings for him extended beyond friendship. She didn't want to hurt him, but she also didn't want to lead him on.

"Alvarist," she said softly, her heart aching. "I care about you so much. You mean the world to me. But I need some time to figure out my own feelings. Can you give me that?"

He nodded, his heart heavy but understanding. "Of course, Arselia. Take all the time you need. I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

As they walked home in silence, Alvarist couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. He had finally told Arselia the truth, and now all he could do was wait and hope that their bond would remain unbroken.

As Arselia grappled with her own emotions, she couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them. She loved Alvarist dearly, but she wasn't sure if it was the kind of love he wanted from her. Only time would tell if their friendship would blossom into something more, or if they would remain forever entwined as friends.