Byler Oneshots

He is not into me (Part 24)

Will:

"Are you seriously doubting me?"
he said in a low, fast tone, the words coming out more as an accusation than a question.

I stood there, my mouth slightly open, my heart pounding. I felt a wave of surprise and nervousness wash over me. My mind went blank, and I just looked at him, unable to find the right words to respond.

"No no no, Mike, no," I said, my voice trembling. "It's not like that."

He lifted his head and started looking up at the ceiling. "You know, I've been thinking about your behavior these past days. I thought maybe I scared you off by asking you to be my
boyfriend—"

I interjected quickly, "No, you didn't scare me
off—"

He looked at me again, his eyes intense. "Do you really think my relationship with you is only a phase?"

My eyes widened, and my heart raced again. The fear and confusion twisted in my chest, making it hard to breathe. "It isn't like that, I just—" In the middle of my sentence, I stopped. How could Mike know all of this? Why was he asking me these specific things? My mind raced, trying to piece everything together. "Who told you this?"

"Jane," he said simply.

I nodded slowly, feeling a strange sense of validation mixed with betrayal. Of course, Jane had said something to him. She always found a way to twist the truth. "So you believe her?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Mike shook his head, his expression softening. "No, I don't. That's why I'm here! That's why I'm asking you!"

I felt a surge of anger and frustration. Jane had played with Mike's head again, and I hated her for it. "Will, were you distant from me because of that?" he asked, his voice tinged with hurt.

I took a deep breath, my mind racing. "Mike, Jane is trying everything to separate us. Please don't let her words get to you!"

Mike's jaw tightened, his eyes darkening with suppressed anger. "They're not getting to me!" he snapped. Then, more quietly, "Are they getting to you?"

His question hit me hard, making me take a step back. The question echoed in my mind. Yes, her words had gotten to me, but I couldn't tell him that. I remained silent, my face expressionless.

After that moment of silence.

Mike gave a bitter smile, one filled with a sense of betrayal. "I think I got my answer," he sighed, looking down. "I told you I hate it when you think I'm this narrow-minded."

I realized in that moment how deeply I had hurt him. I hated Jane for planting those seeds of doubt, and I hated myself for letting them grow. "Mike, no, I swear I never thought of you like that. I know how amazing you are."

He looked at me, his eyes filled with pain. "Well, I don't think so."

I reached for his arm, desperate to make him understand. "It's just that I was overthinking. That's why—"

He gently pushed my hands away and looked at me, his red-rimmed eyes filled with unshed tears. "I'm going home. I need to rest."

"Mike, let me explain, please—"

"Later, okay? Just later," he said, his voice hollow. With that, he turned and walked to his car.