What Are You Hiding, Roman Hart?

Side Character

"Romannnnnnnn can we please stop at a gas station?", I asked.

"Come on Oli, we're almost there. Can't you wait like another 2 hours?", he replied.

"You think being 2 hours away is almost there? Roman, I'm going to pee on myself if we don't stop soon.", I told him.

"Alright, alright I'll stop on the next exit."

We had been traveling for about 9 hours and we had only stopped once to load up on snacks, drinks, and fuel. My bladder was about to explode, but Roman kept insisting that we keep going because we were "almost there". If I had a dollar for the amount of times I've heard that phrase this trip, I would be a rich man.

I was excited to get to Springsville because Roman said we could stay there for a couple of days. I know it's stupid, but it feels like we are on a vacation. Well I guess it kinda is a vacation because we can't go home or we will be killed.

Maybe when we arrive in Springsville our lives can return to being somewhat normal again. It's a hope I have, but I don't know if it will be fulfilled.

I looked out the window as Roman pulled off of the exit and drove to the nearest gas station. The gas station that he chose wasn't the nicest of the bunch but it will do the job. Roman pulled into a parking spot and parked the car skillfully. I reached to open the door in a rush, but it refused to open. Locked.

"Roman unlock the door.", I said in an almost whine. Almost.

"Wait. Let me grab a knife before you go. You never know who could be here.", he said seriously.

I internally sighed as he tucked the knife in the waist of his pants and covered it with his shirt. He unlocked the car door so I could get out. I rushed to the bathroom with him following closely behind. It felt like I had a guard dog with me or something.

Before I reached to open the bathroom door, I turned to look at Roman.

"What is it? I thought you had to go.", he said.

"Can you not go in with me?", I asked.

"No.", he replied.

"Please.", I begged.

"No.", he said again.

"Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee.", I said while giving him puppy dog eyes. Who's the dog now.

"Why?", he asked with what looked like a slight blush on his cheeks.

My eyes were clearly malfunctioning.

I felt heat rush to my cheeks as I tried to conceal my embarrassment. "Because I don't want you to hear me doing my business."

I don't know why I felt so embarrassed because it wasn't like he hasn't heard it before. Ever since last night, I've been feeling shy around him. The car ride here was a little awkward because I was making it awkward unintentionally. I don't understand why I'm acting like this, but I can't help it.

He stared at me for a while, and I could see his eyes tracing my face. They hesitated on the blush spread across my cheeks before returning to meet my eyes.

"Alright but I'm going to go in first and see if anyone is in there.", he said.

He walked into the bathroom doing a scan of the area while I waited outside of the door. I was jumping from one foot to the other trying to hold my bladder when he returned. I could hear him chuckling at my antics as I rushed into one of the stalls.

After I finished, we both returned to the car and headed back onto the interstate. The sun was beginning to set in the sky creating a warm glow in the skyline. I looked over at Roman's face which was covered in the orange glow as his eyes were focused on the road ahead.

My eyes were tracing every inch of his features because I couldn't bring myself to look away. I felt strangely nervous looking at him. Not a bad kind of nervous, the good kind. The kind that you feel when you're excited or happy about something. The kind where your heart is beating out of your chest unable to contain what you are feeling. The kind that you feel when you....... like something or someone.

Love someone.

Heat rushed to my face once more as I looked away from him. My heart was practically leaping out of my chest as I tried to calm myself down.

I love him?

Well I've always loved Roman, but this feels different. I've never felt this way before about anyone. Hell, I've never even had a crush on anyone.I looked back over at him, this time in a different light.

I love him.

"Oli? What's wrong? Why do you keep staring at me?", he suddenly asked.

I hurried and looked away. "No reason. I was just zoning out.", I said.

".......... Alright.", he responded.

I wanted to tell him. I desired to confess these newfound feelings, and I almost did. But I just couldn't do it. What if it changes things? What if he hates me and never wants to see me again? What if he is........ disgusted by me?

My feeling went as quickly as they came. I couldn't tell him, so I will bury how I feel.

Honestly, I shouldn't even be thinking about this in the first place. It's neither the time nor place. Roman's life is in jeopardy and here I am worried about whether he could ever feel the same way I do. If he wasn't already disgusted by me, then he would if he knew how conceited I am.

I need to focus. I have to help him. Stop thinking about stupid things. This isn't a vacation, it's a life or death situation. This isn't some love story, if anything it would be an action story. I'm not the main character and this story isn't about me, so I need to stop making it about me.

Roman's the main character and I'm just his sidekick. Once this is over, he'll find a girl and fall in love. They'll settle down and have a calm but happy life full of children. And I'll, well I'll be supporting him from the sidelines like the side character I am.

Tears welled in my eyes as I looked out the window staring at the passing trees. That evening I shed tears for my first and only love which came to end before it even started.