I will love you from afar

Chapter 10:

Alex was utterly shattered when she heard the news about Sam's relationship. It felt like the ground beneath her had crumbled, leaving her spiraling in heartbreak. She didn't know how to handle the pain, so she went to Mia's house, seeking comfort and a place to escape her emotions. Once there, she let everything she had been holding in pour out. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably, pouring her heart out to Mia, her closest friend.

"Why?" Alex cried between gulps of alcohol, her words slurred but filled with raw emotion. "Why isn't it me? Is it because I'm not a man? What's wrong with me?"

Mia, knowing how deeply Alex had loved Sam, listened patiently, letting her friend fall apart. She knew Alex had spent years carrying this secret love, and seeing her break like this was heartbreaking. Mia tried her best to comfort her, but there were no words that could ease the pain Alex was feeling.

For days, Alex stayed at Mia's place, drowning her sorrow in alcohol and sleepless nights. She kept asking the same questions over and over, her broken heart refusing to heal. Mia could only watch, hoping that Alex would find the strength to stand up again. It took time, but after a few days, Alex knew she had to return home—to the apartment she and Sam shared.

When she finally went back, it was as if she had buried her pain deep inside. She put on a brave face, pretending everything was fine. Sam, too caught up in her hectic schedule, didn't seem to notice that anything was wrong. Alex continued to go through the motions—working on her writing, cleaning the apartment, cooking meals, and caring for Sam just like before. But every task felt hollow now, every moment a reminder of the love she could never have.

Each time Sam came home, full of excitement from her time with her co-actor boyfriend or the success of her career, Alex smiled, pretending to share in her happiness. But inside, she was breaking more with each passing day. She cooked dinner for them both, listened to Sam talk about her day, and even gave her advice when she asked for it, all while swallowing the pain that was threatening to overwhelm her.

Alex kept telling herself she could endure it—that being in Sam's life, even as just a friend, was enough. But deep down, she knew that this situation was slowly tearing her apart. The love she had for Sam burned inside her, but she could never let it show. And so, she kept her heartbreak hidden, choosing silence over the risk of losing Sam entirely.

A year had passed since Sam's relationship with her co-actor had become public, and during that time, Alex had tried her best to adjust. She had buried her feelings, forced herself to be content with just being a friend, and continued to support Sam through everything. Despite the emotional turmoil, Alex never let Sam see the depths of her pain. She stayed strong, knowing that being near Sam, even in a limited way, was all she could ask for.

But then came the news that shattered Alex all over again.

One evening, Sam sat Alex down at the kitchen table, her expression serious but excited. "Alex, I have something to tell you," she said, her voice filled with a nervous kind of energy. "My boyfriend and I... we've decided to move in together."

Alex felt her world stop. The words echoed in her mind, but she couldn't grasp them. Sam kept talking—about finding a place, how happy she was, how this felt like the next big step in her life—but Alex barely heard any of it. The only thing she could focus on was that Sam was leaving. She was leaving her.

"Alex, you've been such a good friend, always supporting me," Sam said, reaching out to touch her hand. "I know this might feel sudden, but I'll still be around. You'll still be a part of my life."

Alex forced a smile, her heart twisting inside her chest. "That's great, Sam. I'm happy for you."

But inside, she was crumbling. After everything they'd been through, after years of unspoken feelings and silent heartache, Sam was leaving her behind. The apartment they had shared for so long, the space that had once felt like home, would now be empty without Sam's presence. Alex had always feared this day would come, but it still hurt more than she had ever imagined.