Simply You(Ongoing)

CHAPTER 10

Matheo's mind was a whirl of confusion and shock as he processed the news. Daniel, his best friend since childhood, was in love with Yessenia, the girl Matheo had secretly harbored feelings for. The revelation had hit him like a ton of bricks, leaving him grappling with emotions he wasn't prepared to face.

Daniel and Matheo had always been inseparable. From their school days to their weekend hangouts, they had shared everything-dreams, fears, and countless inside jokes. Yessenia, on the other hand, was a more recent presence in their lives. She had joined their circle of friends about a year ago, bringing with her a light-hearted charm and a sense of calm that immediately endeared her to everyone. Her laughter was contagious, and her kindness seemed to brighten even the gloomiest days. It wasn't long before Matheo found himself drawn to her in a way he hadn't anticipated.

At first, Matheo brushed off his feelings as a mere infatuation. Yessenia was simply too perfect, and he couldn't believe that someone like him could be on her radar. He was content to enjoy her company from the sidelines, convincing himself that his role in her life was to be a friend, a supportive one at that. His emotions, though undeniable, seemed to fall into a category of things he could control. However, when Daniel expressed his feelings for Yessenia, it shook the very foundation of Matheo's carefully constructed emotional barriers.

The revelation came on a quiet evening, during one of their usual hangouts at Daniel's house. Daniel had been unusually quiet, fiddling with his phone as Matheo and Yessenia chatted animatedly about their recent plans. Matheo noticed the odd tension in the air but dismissed it as a result of Daniel's workload. It wasn't until Daniel cleared his throat and looked directly at Matheo that he realized something serious was about to unfold.

"Matheo, there's something I need to tell you," Daniel began, his voice uncharacteristically shaky.

Matheo looked up, curiosity and a hint of apprehension mingling in his gaze. "What's up?"

Daniel took a deep breath. "It's about Yessenia."

The words hit Matheo like a cold splash of water. He felt his heart skip a beat, an uncomfortable sensation tightening in his chest. He forced himself to remain calm, even as Daniel's next words confirmed his worst fears.

"I've been wanting to say this for a while," Daniel continued, "but I think I'm falling for Yessenia. I don't want to make things weird between us, but I needed you to know."

The room fell into a stunned silence. Matheo's mind raced, trying to reconcile this new piece of information with his own feelings. He glanced at Yessenia, who looked surprised but composed. The shock of the moment seemed to freeze the air around them. Matheo could see the gentle concern in Yessenia's eyes, but she said nothing, waiting for the storm to pass.

As the evening progressed, Matheo's mind replayed Daniel's confession over and over. He knew that Daniel's feelings were genuine, and he admired his friend's courage in being honest. But the reality of the situation was a hard pill to swallow. Matheo had been trying to ignore his own emotions for months, convincing himself that Yessenia was better off with someone like Daniel-a more outgoing, confident presence who could provide her with the stability and excitement she deserved.

Yet, despite his efforts to push his feelings aside, Matheo couldn't shake the thought that he, too, saw a potential future with Yessenia. He imagined moments of laughter, quiet conversations under the stars, and shared dreams that extended beyond their current circle of friends. The thought of losing her to Daniel was unbearable, and the realization that he had been secretly hoping for something more with Yessenia made him question his own capacity to be a good friend.

As days passed, Matheo found himself distanced from the group, caught in a complex web of emotions. His interactions with Yessenia became strained. He felt as though every word he spoke was loaded with unspoken feelings, and every smile he offered was a mask for his true emotions. Yessenia, perceptive as ever, sensed the change but chose to give Matheo space, respecting his need for time to process his feelings.

Matheo's internal struggle intensified as he tried to navigate his emotions. On one hand, he wanted to support Daniel in his pursuit of Yessenia. Daniel was his friend, and Matheo recognized that being there for him was crucial. On the other hand, the thought of Yessenia and Daniel together filled him with a profound sense of loss. Matheo's mind was torn between the rational decision to prioritize his friendship and the raw, unfiltered emotions that made it nearly impossible to think clearly.

In moments of solitude, Matheo allowed himself to reflect on what he truly wanted. He realized that his feelings for Yessenia were more than a fleeting infatuation. He genuinely admired her, not just for her outward charm, but for her intelligence, kindness, and the way she made him feel complete. Yet, the more he pondered, the more he recognized that Yessenia's feelings towards him were less clear. Despite his attempts to understand her perspective, it seemed she viewed him as a distraction-a presence that was nice to have around but not someone she saw as a future partner.

Matheo's internal conflict reached a peak one evening as he sat alone in his room, reflecting on the situation. He knew that holding onto his feelings for Yessenia, while trying to support Daniel, was a precarious balancing act. The strain of hiding his true emotions was taking a toll on him, and he grappled with whether it was fair to continue in this manner.

Ultimately, Matheo recognized the importance of accepting the situation for what it was. He acknowledged that his feelings for Yessenia were valid but needed to be managed with the understanding that she might not reciprocate them. Supporting Daniel and respecting Yessenia's feelings became paramount. It was a painful realization, but Matheo understood that sometimes, the best course of action was to let go of personal desires for the sake of maintaining important relationships.

As Matheo prepared to confront the situation with honesty and openness, he knew that navigating these emotional waters would require both bravery and grace. The road ahead was uncertain, but he was determined to approach it with the same integrity that had guided his friendship with Daniel all these years.