Her Love Is Traumatic

Echoes of the heart

Christine had hoped that Lara’s birthday celebration would be the first step towards mending their friendship, but the days following the party were fraught with a mix of old wounds and new emotions. With Lara’s apology and her seemingly genuine desire to make amends, Christine felt a glimmer of hope. However, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was unresolved.

The morning after the park, Christine decided to focus on her routine, hoping that a bit of normalcy would help clear her mind. She walked into school, her thoughts oscillating between Lara’s recent apology and her own burgeoning feelings for Alex. Her interactions with Alex had been light and pleasant, but Christine was still unsure about taking the next step.

In the hallway, she spotted Alex leaning against his locker, engrossed in a book. Her heart skipped a beat. It wasn’t just the way he looked—casual yet somehow magnetic—it was also how effortlessly he seemed to brighten her days. She approached him with a smile, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in her stomach.

“Hey, Alex,” she greeted him, trying to sound casual.

He looked up, his face breaking into a warm smile. “Hey, Chris. How’s it going?”

“Good, actually. Thanks for the other day,” Christine said, her voice softening. “You really made me feel better.”

Alex’s eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. “You know, I’m always here for you. But you owe me a coffee for saving you from that foam disaster.”

Christine laughed, feeling the tension in her shoulders ease. “Deal. I’ll treat you to coffee after school.”

Their conversation flowed easily as they walked to their next class. Alex’s presence was a comfort, and Christine found herself laughing at his jokes and enjoying the ease of their companionship.

After school, Christine and Alex went to their favorite café. As they sipped their coffee and shared stories, Christine felt a growing certainty about her feelings. It was in the way Alex’s eyes crinkled when he laughed, the way he listened intently when she spoke, and the way his presence felt so natural beside her.

“So, have you thought about what you want to do after school?” Alex asked, stirring his coffee absentmindedly.

Christine hesitated, considering her response. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately, about everything—about what I want, where I’m heading.”

Alex looked at her with genuine curiosity. “And what have you decided?”

Christine took a deep breath, her thoughts drifting to the earlier conversation with Lara and how she’d felt in the park. “I don’t have all the answers yet, but I know that I want to focus on what makes me happy.”

Alex nodded thoughtfully. “That’s a good start. Sometimes, it’s about figuring things out as you go along.”

Christine felt a surge of affection for Alex. His support was unwavering, and his understanding was something she had been craving. They continued their conversation, and Christine felt more at ease with each passing minute. The connection between them was undeniable, and for the first time, she felt ready to embrace it.

As they walked out of the café, Alex glanced at Christine, his expression turning serious. “You know, I’ve really enjoyed spending time with you, Chris. It’s been… special.”

Christine’s heart raced at his words. She looked at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. “I’ve enjoyed it too, Alex. More than I thought I would.”

Before she could say more, Alex’s phone buzzed. He checked it and frowned slightly. “I’ve got to run. Something came up.”

Christine nodded, trying to hide her disappointment. “Okay. See you tomorrow, you'll be joining us for the school trip right?”