Love Rivals: The Day I Saw Your Tears

40. Have You Ever Considered Me A Friend?

(Ryan's Pov)

The next day at the hospital, I saw Sarah standing at the billing counter. She collected her receipt and was about to leave, but when she noticed me, she hesitated. I quickly pretended not to notice her, turning to walk away.

As I headed towards the elevator, I heard footsteps behind me. She was following me. I pressed the button for the elevator and waited. When the doors opened, I stepped inside and paused, glancing back. Sarah was standing there, uncertain. Without a word, I held the elevator door open for her.

She stepped into the elevator, breathing heavily, and shot me a sharp look. "What's wrong with you? I've been calling you. Did you lose your hearing or something?"

I kept my face calm, though I felt her irritation. "Sorry. I had my earbuds in," I said, gesturing vaguely to my ears.

She frowned, her frustration giving way to a slight pout. "I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the party last night. Things just... came up."

I gave a half-smile, nodding. "It's fine."

She looked puzzled, as if expecting more. "That's it? Just 'it's fine'?"

"Yeah," I shrugged. "We're not kids anymore, Sarah. Life happens. Sometimes we have more important things to deal with than friends." I added, my voice softer but more distant.

As the elevator doors opened, she kept pace, following me into the parking lot. She suddenly stopped and called out loudly, "Ryan! What's your deal? We're not kids anymore, so stop acting like one. I already said sorry! It's not like the whole party fell apart just because I wasn't there."

Her words cut through me, and I couldn't ignore them any longer. I turned around slowly, trying to stay calm, and said, "You're right, Sarah. The party didn't stop. Everyone had a great time. But here's the thing-there are still people who care about you. People who consider you a friend."

She scoffed, crossing her arms. "Really? Name one person who didn't enjoy the party without me."

I stared at her, feeling the words catch in my throat. I couldn't say it-I couldn't admit how much her absence had affected me. Instead, I just stood there, silent.

She chuckled bitterly. "I know exactly how much my presence means. My classmates may notice when I'm around, but when I'm not? They couldn't care less."

She turned on her heel, ready to leave, but I couldn't hold it in anymore. "Sarah, listen," I said, stepping toward her, my voice more desperate than I'd intended. "Despite being rivals, I've always considered you a friend. Vicky and Sarah are the only friends I could rely on... I have been saying this to Nitya since college."
She paused, but I pressed on. "But what about you? Have you ever considered me a friend? You didn't come to my birthday party, fine. But you didn't even wish me. What am I to you, Sarah? Do you hate me that much, or am I just some random stranger to you now?"

She walked up to me slowly and handed me a small box wrapped in colorful paper. "Do you remember that keychain you got for your seventeenth birthday?" she asked, her voice quiet but steady. "That was my gift. You know how much people humiliated it, made fun of it... I'm just a simple girl, Ryan. Those lavish parties, the extravagant gifts-they're not for me. I don't belong in your world. This time too, I couldn't afford something fancy. I had to ask mom or my sisters for extra money, and even then, it wasn't enough."

I stared at her, surprised by her honesty. Taking a step closer, I said, "Whoa, I had no idea that keychain was from you. I would've never known if you hadn't told me. I've never cared about the price of a gift. That keychain is still on my drawer key because I loved it. It's simple, but it's beautiful, just like the person who gave it to me."

She glanced up at me, unsure of what to say, and I continued, "Did I ever make it a rule that you had to bring a gift? Sarah, your presence alone would've been my gift."

She stepped even closer, her expression a mix of frustration and something deeper. "Stop it, Ryan," she said, shaking her head. "Friends? Really?" A small, almost bitter laugh escaped her lips. "You have no idea how difficult it's been for me since you all showed up. I know exactly what a friend is. And you asked if I've ever considered you a friend?"

Her eyes met mine, sharp and unyielding. "I used to. But now... do you honestly think I should?" She let that question hang in the air, leaving me speechless, grappling with the weight of her words.

Without waiting for a reply, she said, "Think about it," and walked away, leaving me standing there alone, her words echoing in my head.