The love never noticed

Chapter 2

"Wake up, Cathy?" Ria's voice softened as she entered my room, her eyes widening as she took in the chaos around me.

"I'm already up," I murmured, carefully picking up the shards of my favorite vase—the one he gifted me. The once vibrant roses now lay scattered, their petals as broken as my heart.

"Are you up for breakfast?" she asked, her gaze sweeping over the mess—the remnants of the storm inside me, the one that destroyed the last good thing in my life. I dumped the vase into the bin, trying to salvage some semblance of composure, though the act felt as futile as trying to mend a shattered mirror.

"No." I grabbed the honey-brown blanket and tossed it into the wastebasket. Its warmth, just like his eyes, lingered on my fingers. Stop thinking about him!

"Cathy, something's wrong. You need to tell me." She took a tentative step closer, her concern evident in every line of her face.

"Nothing's wrong, Riri." I turned my back on her, hiding my face behind a curtain of tangled hair. One look, and she'd see everything—the hurt, the regret, the unbearable longing.

"Why don't I believe you?" she hummed, her voice a gentle coaxing, like a mother soothing a child.

"I don't know. Maybe because you're too nosy?" I mumbled, hoping to deflect her concern, but the tremor in my voice betrayed me.

"Haha, very funny. Now tell me what's really going on." She wasn't letting this go, her persistence unwavering. The frustration bubbled over, and I couldn't hold it back. "Everything is fucking fantastic, Ria. Why don't you just mind your own business?"

Her eyes softened, her expression as tender as if she were handling something fragile.

"Yeah, but you know I can't help but poke my nose in your business," she said gently, her voice laced with the kind of concern that only a true friend could offer. She hesitated, choosing her words carefully before continuing. "I heard Nathan proposed to Tatiana yesterday."

I froze, her words striking me like a punch to the gut. My heart tightened painfully in my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm.

"Okay, and?" I tried to keep my voice steady, but the crack in my facade was all too obvious. Ria's eyebrow arched, her expression shifting from cautious to confused.

"What do you mean, 'okay, and?' Cathy, where were you yesterday? Did you... talk to Nathan?" Her voice softened at the end, the questions tumbling out, each one more tentative than the last.

I hesitated, the memories of yesterday replaying in my mind like a broken record. "Yes," I whispered, barely audible, as if speaking louder would shatter me completely.

She studied me for a long moment before pulling me into a hug.

"It's okay," she murmured, her fingers gently sifting through my hair, the gesture soothing like a mother's touch.

"Yeah, it's okay," I mumbled, hoping that saying it enough times might make it true.

"You can let it out, darling," she urged softly. The tears I had been holding back finally broke free, cascading down my cheeks like rain after a long drought.

"It's okay," I repeated, nodding even as more tears streamed down. I knew it would be, eventually—but right now, it hurt so much.

Why does it hurt so much? Why?

"I wish I could take it all back, Riri," I choked out, regret thick in my voice. "I didn't want to lose his friendship."

Ria hugged me tighter. "It was for the best, Cathy. You can't live like this, pining after him without him even knowing."

She was right. I knew she was. But that didn't make it any less painful. "You're right. Thanks for standing by me." I wiped my tears, trying to steady myself, the words feeling inadequate to express the depth of my gratitude.

Ria gave me a small, understanding smile. "How about we get some brownie and ice cream?"

"Is that even a question?" I asked, managing a playful glare through my tears. Her care and desire to lift my spirits meant more to me than I could say.

"Yes, it is, princess," she teased, pulling me close. The weight in my chest lightened, just a bit.

"Thanks, Riri," I whispered, my voice thick with gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

She pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. "That's what best friends are for, Cathy. We get through the tough stuff together." She paused, giving me a reassuring smile. "Now, how about we watch Birds of a Feather?"

I managed a small smile, the warmth of her presence easing the ache in my chest. "Sure, that sounds perfect."