Liam's eyes widened in shock, his face pale. He looked at his girlfriend, then back at Ethan, his expression a mixture of confusion and disbelief.
"Ethan, I... I don't know what to say," he stammered.
Ethan's heart sank. He had known, deep down, that Liam might not feel the same way, but hearing it confirmed, hearing it from his own lips, was like a punch to the gut.
Liam's girlfriend, however, was surprisingly calm. She looked at Liam, her eyes filled with understanding.
"It's okay, Liam," she said, her voice soft. "I understand."
Liam looked at her, his eyes filled with gratitude. "You do?"
She nodded. "Yes. I've always known that you had feelings for Ethan. I saw it in the way you looked at him, in the way you talked about him. I knew that you were holding back, that you were afraid."
Liam looked at Ethan, his eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and relief. "I'm so sorry, Ethan. I didn't know how to tell you. I was afraid of what you might think, afraid of what it might mean."
Ethan shook his head. "It's okay, Liam. I understand. I was afraid too."
Liam's girlfriend smiled, her eyes twinkling with warmth. "I think it's time you two faced your fears and finally admitted what you feel for each other."
YOU ARE READING
Maybe This Time
Short Story"Maybe This Time" is a heartwarming story about two young boys, Ethan and Liam, whose friendship blossoms into a love that they are too afraid to acknowledge. Their journey is a poignant exploration of first love, the complexities of coming to terms...
