Adrift: The Ship That Defied the Seas

10| Unspoken Feelings

The teasing from their friends, especially Naya, had left Lewis with lingering thoughts. Though he had always been content with their friendship, the idea of something more had started to gnaw at him. He found himself replaying Naya's words over and over, wondering if there was something he and Clarisse were missing out on.

One evening, after a particularly deep conversation with Clarisse about her struggles at work, Lewis decided it was time to address the lingering question he had been avoiding. The discussion had veered into familiar territory: Clarisse's frustrations with her job, her need for a supportive friend, and the weight of her recent relationship issues.

"Clarisse," Lewis began, his voice steady but tinged with nervousness. "I've been thinking about what Naya said. About us. I know we've always said we're better off as friends, but... is there ever a chance we could try being more?"

The question hung in the air, and Lewis immediately felt the weight of his words. He'd rehearsed this moment in his mind countless times, but now that it was here, he wasn't sure he was prepared for the answer. The silence that followed was thick and heavy, pressing on him from all sides.

Clarisse's face fell, and she looked away for a moment before meeting his gaze again. Her eyes, usually so full of warmth, were now filled with an emotion Lewis couldn't quite place. "Lewis, I... I need to be honest with you," she said, her voice soft but firm. "I'm seeing someone else now. A man I met during my internship. His name is Arvey, and things have been developing between us."

The confession hit Lewis like a wave, leaving him momentarily speechless. His mind raced as he tried to process what Clarisse had just said. The hurt was evident in his eyes, though he tried to mask it with a forced smile. "Oh. I didn't realize. I'm sorry if I made things awkward."

"No, Lewis," Clarisse quickly reassured him. "It's not that. I value what we have, but I'm already in a relationship. I didn't want to hide this from you."

Her words created a palpable distance between them, a new mark on their previously unblemished friendship. Lewis struggled to process his feelings, trying to come to terms with the fact that his hope for something more was now impossible. He felt like he was standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down at a chasm that had suddenly appeared between them.

Despite the initial shock, Lewis tried to maintain their friendship, though it was clear that things had changed. The dynamic between them felt different, and both of them were acutely aware of the new emotional boundaries. They continued to support each other, but the underlying tension lingered, coloring their interactions with a subtle sadness.

The following weeks were challenging for both of them. Their conversations, once filled with ease and laughter, became more guarded. They spoke about their days, their plans, and their feelings, but the depth of their connection seemed to be overshadowed by an unspoken sadness. Each time they talked, Lewis couldn't help but feel the weight of what might have been, while Clarisse wrestled with the guilt of having been unable to reciprocate Lewis's feelings.

One evening, as they sat in their favorite café, Lewis could sense the change in their interactions. The comfortable silence that used to fill the space between them now felt heavy and strained. Clarisse's smile, though still present, seemed more forced, and Lewis found himself struggling to find the right words.

"How's your new relationship going?" Lewis asked, trying to sound casual.

Clarisse's smile faltered slightly. "It's... it's been a learning experience. There are some things I really like, and other things that are still a bit challenging. But we're working on it."

Lewis nodded, though his heart wasn't in it. He was trying to be supportive, but it was hard not to feel a pang of jealousy and sadness. He wanted to be happy for Clarisse, but the reality of their situation made it difficult.