A TWIST OF FATE

CHAPTER 3 : UNEXPECTED CRUSH

The first day back at school felt surreal. The familiar halls buzzed with energy, students reuniting and sharing stories of summer adventures. 

Weeks went by, the end of the trimester is getting near.

As the weeks went by, I found myself caught in a whirlwind of emotions that I couldn't quite understand. It all began to change during those seemingly mundane moments— the kind where you don't realize something significant is happening until it's too late. At first, it was just a flicker: a smile shared in passing or a brief moment of laughter during group activities. I had always thought of Nex as just another new student, someone I didn't particularly care for. But as I observed him more closely, I began to see the layers beneath his reserved exterior. He was a man who carried himself with a quiet confidence, a maturity that seemed out of place among our peers.

It happened during one of our study sessions. The group was sprawled out in the library, notes and textbooks littering the table. I was trying to focus on my work, but my attention kept drifting towards Nex. He was seated a few chairs away, engaged in a discussion with some friends. I noticed the way he listened intently, nodding thoughtfully, his brow furrowed in concentration. There was something about the way he engaged with others that drew me in, a warmth that made me want to know more. And then it struck me: I had a crush on him.

It felt like a punch to the gut, both exhilarating and terrifying. The realization sent my heart racing, and I suddenly felt the weight of my own feelings pressing down on me. How could I like someone who was already taken?

I tried to shake it off, telling myself that it was just a fleeting infatuation. But each time I saw him—whether he was laughing with friends or deep in thought during class—my resolve weakened. I became painfully aware of every glance he threw in my direction, every smile that seemed to linger just a moment too long. I found myself analyzing his every movement, searching for signs that he might reciprocate my feelings, but each time I came up empty.

The internal conflict was exhausting. I wanted to be close to him, to share my thoughts and laughter, but the thought of crossing that line felt wrong. I reminded myself constantly that he had a girlfriend, a fact that loomed over me like a dark cloud. I respected that relationship, even if it meant pushing my own feelings aside. Still, the ache of wanting him was relentless.

As I navigated this emotional minefield, I found myself becoming distant. I laughed less, engaged in conversations less, and tried to avoid any situation that might bring us together. The more I pulled away, the more I noticed how often Nex seemed to glance my way, a mixture of curiosity and concern etched on his face. It was maddening. Did he sense my struggle? Did he wonder why I had suddenly become so cold?

During lunch one afternoon, the cafeteria buzzed with the usual noise of students chatting and laughing. I sat at a table with my friends, trying to focus on their conversation, but my gaze kept drifting to Nex, who was sitting across the room with his own group. I could see him laughing, his smile genuine and bright, and it made my heart flutter despite my resolve.

"Hey, are you even listening?" my best friend Joe nudged me, pulling me out of my reverie.

"Yeah, sorry. Just... thinking," I mumbled, my eyes still lingering on Nex.

"Thinking about what? That guy?" Joe teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

I felt my cheeks flush, and I quickly looked away. "No! I mean... maybe. I don't know."

"Come on, it's obvious. You like him," Joe said, leaning closer. "What's stopping you?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with implication. I wanted to scream, to tell him everything, but the words stuck in my throat. Instead, I opted for silence, pretending to be engrossed in my food. Joe shrugged and returned to the conversation, but my mind was racing.

That evening, I retreated to my room, the weight of my feelings crashing over me like a wave. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying every interaction I had with Nex. The way he smiled, the softness in his voice, the genuine interest he showed when he talked to others—it all replayed in my mind like a never-ending loop.

The crush had become more than just a fleeting fancy; it was a slow burn that twisted my stomach in knots. I felt a mix of excitement and dread, each glance from him igniting a flicker of hope followed by a crushing wave of guilt. I wanted to tell him how I felt, but the stakes felt too high.

The nights were the hardest. I would lie awake, my heart racing as I thought about Nex, about what might have been if circumstances were different. The fear of crossing that invisible line kept me up, and I often found myself wishing I could turn back time to when my feelings were simpler, when I didn't have to worry about boundaries or heartbreak.

As I struggled with this new reality, I realized that the journey ahead would be anything but easy. This was just the beginning of a complicated dance between friendship and something more, and the uncertainty of it all only fueled my anxiety. Would I ever find the courage to confront my feelings? Or would I forever remain in this painful limbo, yearning for something that felt just out of reach?