Eternal Echoes

Chapter Five: The Silent Sacrifice

Michaella sat alone in her apartment, the soft glow of the evening sun casting long shadows across the room. She clutched her notebook, staring at the blank page before her. The memories of Gabrielle and his newfound happiness with Emily weighed heavily on her heart.

After the initial shock of Erika's revelation, Michaella had spent sleepless nights grappling with her emotions. The pain of seeing Gabrielle with someone else was unbearable, but the thought of losing him entirely was even worse. She knew she had to make a choice.

"I've decided," she whispered to herself one evening, the words barely audible. "I'll be his friend. It's easier than not having him in my life at all."

She remembered the countless moments they had shared—laughing over silly jokes, confiding in each other about their dreams and fears, and finding comfort in each other's presence. Michaella couldn't imagine a life without those moments, even if it meant hiding her true feelings.

The next day, Michaella met Gabrielle at their favourite café. He greeted her with a warm smile, but as soon as Emily arrived, his demeanour changed. Michaella noticed how he avoided eye contact with her, focusing all his attention on Emily. It hurt, but she masked her pain with a smile.

"Hey, Michaella," Emily said, her tone dripping with false sweetness. "Nice to see you again."

"You too," Michaella replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

Gabrielle barely acknowledged her presence, engrossed in a conversation with Emily about their upcoming plans. Michaella felt like an outsider, her heart breaking a little more with each passing moment.

As the weeks passed, Michaella kept her promise to herself. She stayed by Gabrielle's side, supporting him through his ups and downs. She respected his relationship with Emily, even though it killed her inside. She never let her true feelings show, always putting on a brave face for Gabrielle's sake.

But Emily wasn't fooled. She could sense the depth of Michaella's feelings, and it made her uneasy. Whenever they were all together, Emily's cold demeanour was impossible to ignore. She hated Michaella's guts, seeing her as a threat to her happiness with Gabrielle.

One evening, at a small gathering with friends, Emily's irritation boiled over. As Michaella tried to engage in conversation, Emily's sharp words cut through the air.

"Why are you always around?" Emily snapped. "Can't you find someone else to bother?"

Michaella's heart sank, but she kept her composure. "I'm just here to support my friend," she replied calmly, though her voice trembled slightly.

Gabrielle remained silent, not even glancing in Michaella's direction. His indifference stung more than Emily's harsh words. Michaella felt a pang of guilt, knowing that her presence was causing strain in Gabrielle's relationship. But she couldn't bear the thought of losing him.

Later that night, alone in her apartment, Michaella let the tears flow freely. The weight of her unspoken love felt like a heavy burden, but she knew she had made the right choice. Having Gabrielle as a friend, even if it meant hiding her true feelings, was better than not having him at all.

She was brought back to reality by the sound of her alarm, so she opened her laptop and began to write, pouring her heart onto the page.

"I decided to be his friend, to stick with him through thick and thin, because having him as a friend is easier than not having him at all," she wrote. "I kept his love inside me, and although it killed me, I couldn't stay away. I respected his girlfriend, even though she hated my guts."

The words flowed effortlessly, capturing the depth of her sacrifice and the strength it took to remain by Gabrielle's side. Michaella knew her story was one of silent suffering and unspoken love, but it was also a testament to the power of friendship and the resilience of the human heart.

With a deep breath, she continued to write, determined to turn her pain into a beautiful and meaningful narrative.

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What are your thoughts on unrequited love? my heart is breaking for Michaella.