A Love Beyond The Spotlight

A New Distraction

Emily had always prided herself on being practical, and so, after countless sleepless nights spent turning her feelings for Adele over and over in her mind, she made a decision: she would stay silent. Confessing her love was too risky, too complicated, and Emily valued the budding friendship she had with Adele too much to jeopardize it with unspoken desires.

Penny had reassured her, saying that nothing bad would happen if she chose to be honest, but Emily couldn’t shake the fear of rejection, or worse, the possibility that things could become awkward between them. She wasn’t ready to face that reality, so she decided to bury her feelings, at least for now, and focus on something else—or someone else.

The café wasn’t exactly bustling with customers, which was one of the reasons Emily had loved it so much. It was a quiet, secluded place where she could write and think. But recently, she had noticed a new face—a tomboyish girl who had begun frequenting the bookstore. At first, Emily hadn’t paid much attention, assuming the girl was just another book lover like herself. However, she quickly realized there was something different about her.

The girl, with her cropped hair, worn leather jacket, and confident demeanor, had a way of standing out, even in a place as unassuming as the bookstore. Emily had noticed her glancing in her direction a few times, and initially, she thought the girl was just another fan of Adele, perhaps trying to catch a glimpse of the singer during one of her visits. But as the days passed, Emily started to suspect that the girl’s attention wasn’t focused on Adele at all—it was on her.

It started subtly enough, with the girl choosing a table near Emily’s whenever she was in the café. Then there were the lingering glances, the slight smiles, and the occasional nod of acknowledgment when their eyes met. Emily found herself becoming increasingly aware of the girl’s presence, wondering what it was that made her so interested. She couldn’t deny the flutter of curiosity that began to grow in her chest.

Maybe this was what she needed—a distraction, something to take her mind off the impossible feelings she harbored for Adele. The girl’s interest in her was clear, and while Emily wasn’t sure if she was ready to move on or start something new, she figured it couldn’t hurt to at least talk to her. Who knew? Maybe she would find a friend, or at the very least, someone who could help her forget, even if only for a little while.

One evening, after a long day at work, Emily arrived at the bookstore to find the girl already there, seated at a table in the corner. Adele wasn’t around that evening, and Penny was busy with a delivery in the back, leaving the café relatively quiet. The girl’s eyes flicked up as Emily entered, and their gazes locked for a moment before Emily offered a small, tentative smile.

The girl returned the smile, a bit more confidently, and Emily decided to take the plunge. After grabbing her usual cup of tea from the counter, she made her way over to the girl’s table. The girl looked up at her, clearly surprised but not displeased, as Emily approached.

“Mind if I sit here?” Emily asked, gesturing to the empty chair opposite her.

“Not at all,” the girl replied, her voice low and warm. She motioned for Emily to take the seat, and Emily did, feeling a bit of the tension in her shoulders ease.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, and Emily wondered if this had been a mistake. But then the girl leaned back in her chair, studying her with a curious expression. “I’m Jamie, by the way,” she said, breaking the silence.

“Emily,” she replied, offering her hand, which Jamie shook with a firm but friendly grip.

“I’ve seen you around here a lot,” Jamie said, her eyes never leaving Emily’s. “You’re always writing something. Must be pretty important.”

Emily shrugged, feeling a bit self-conscious. “It’s just a hobby. I like to write in my free time.”

“A hobby, huh?” Jamie’s lips curved into a small smile. “You must be pretty dedicated to it, though. I’ve seen you here almost every day.”

“I guess you could say that,” Emily replied, a bit more at ease now that they were talking. “This place is kind of like a second home to me. It’s quiet, comfortable, and… well, I can focus here.”

Jamie nodded, her expression thoughtful. “I can see why you like it. It’s got a good vibe. Not too many places like this in the city.”

Emily smiled, feeling a bit more relaxed. Jamie’s presence was calming in a way she hadn’t expected. “What about you? I’ve noticed you around here a lot lately too.”

“Guilty as charged,” Jamie said with a laugh. “I stumbled upon this place a while back, and it just kind of stuck with me. I’m not much of a writer, but I love to read. Plus, it’s a good spot to unwind.”

They fell into an easy conversation after that, discussing books, music, and everything in between. Emily found herself enjoying Jamie’s company more than she had anticipated. There was something refreshing about talking to someone new, someone who didn’t know her history with the bookstore or her complicated feelings for Adele.

As the evening wore on, Emily realized that she was actually having fun. Jamie was charming, with a quick wit and an easygoing nature that put her at ease. For the first time in weeks, she found herself not thinking about Adele every second. Jamie was a welcome distraction, someone who made her laugh and who seemed genuinely interested in getting to know her.

But even as she laughed at one of Jamie’s jokes, a part of Emily couldn’t shake the thought of Adele. It was as if no matter how hard she tried to focus on something else, Adele’s presence lingered in the back of her mind, a constant reminder of the feelings she was trying so hard to ignore.

Still, she reminded herself that this was what she needed. She couldn’t go on pining for someone who might never feel the same way. Jamie was here, now, and she seemed interested. Maybe this was her chance to move on, to find a way to be happy without the impossible dream she had built around Adele.

As they wrapped up their conversation and Jamie stood to leave, she paused, looking at Emily with a hint of something more in her eyes. “You know, I’ve really enjoyed talking to you, Emily. Maybe we could do this again sometime? Grab a drink, or just hang out?”

Emily hesitated for just a second before nodding. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

Jamie’s smile widened, and she gave a small nod before heading toward the door. “Great. I’ll see you around, then.”

As Jamie left, Emily sat back in her chair, feeling a mix of emotions. It felt good to have made a new friend, someone who could help her take her mind off things. But as she stared at the door where Jamie had just exited, she couldn’t ignore the small ache in her heart, the part of her that still longed for something—or someone—else.

She had taken a step forward, but she knew that moving on wasn’t going to be as simple as finding a distraction. Her feelings for Adele weren’t something she could easily set aside, no matter how much she tried. But for now, she would try to focus on the present, on Jamie, and on building something new.

It wasn’t the answer to all her problems, but it was a start. And maybe, just maybe, it would be enough to help her find her way.