-willow tree-

Feelings

As they sat beneath the willow tree, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken words and emotions. Jane could feel the weight of everything she had kept bottled up inside her. The vulnerability of the moment urged her to share her truth, and she knew that if they were going to move forward, she needed to be completely honest with Adaline.

"Adaline," Jane began, her voice trembling slightly. "There's something I need to tell you. It's been on my mind for a long time, and I can't keep it to myself anymore."

Adaline looked at her, curiosity mixed with concern in her expression. "What is it, Jane?"

Taking a deep breath, Jane steeled herself. "I've realized that my feelings for you are more than just friendship. I think I might be in love with you."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Adaline's eyes widened, and a look of shock washed over her face. Jane watched as a myriad of emotions flickered across Adaline's features—confusion, fear, and then something Jane couldn't quite place.

"Jane, I... I don't know what to say," Adaline stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. The surprise in her tone was palpable, and Jane could see the internal struggle unfolding before her.

"I understand if you don't feel the same way," Jane rushed to add, panic rising in her chest. "I just needed you to know. You mean so much to me, and I didn't want to hide it anymore."

But Adaline's expression shifted, and Jane could see the weight of her words crashing down on her friend. Adaline took a step back, her eyes filled with a mixture of pain and fear. "Jane, this is... a lot. I didn't expect this."

"I know it's unexpected, but I had to be honest with you," Jane said gently, trying to reach out to her. "I just thought that maybe—"

Before she could finish, Adaline turned away, her hands trembling. "I can't... I can't do this right now," she said, her voice breaking. And in that moment, Jane's heart sank.

"Adaline, please wait!" Jane called out, but Adaline was already sprinting away from the willow tree, leaving Jane standing there, stunned and heartbroken.

Jane felt a whirlwind of emotions—fear, regret, and an overwhelming sense of loss. She had hoped that by sharing her feelings, she could bring them closer together, but now it felt like she had driven a wedge between them.

"Adaline!" she called after her, desperation lacing her voice, but Adaline didn't look back. Jane watched, helpless, as her friend disappeared into the distance, the space beneath the willow tree suddenly feeling cold and empty.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as Jane sank down to the ground, the weight of her confession crashing down on her. She had taken a leap of faith, only to find the ground had crumbled beneath her. The fear of losing Adaline had become a reality, and now she was left grappling with the aftermath of her honesty.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Jane sat alone beneath the willow tree, feeling the ache of her heart echoing through the silence. She had opened herself up, only to watch Adaline run away. The fear of rejection had transformed into the painful reality of loss, and Jane couldn't shake the feeling that she had not only lost her friend but possibly the chance for something more they could have shared.