Love, Lies, and Loyalty

Chapter 5: The Unspoken Truths

The next few days felt different. The easy flow of conversation between Mia and Sarah was still there, but beneath the surface, Mia couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted. Every time they talked about Ryan—even casually—Mia found herself analyzing Sarah's words, her expressions, searching for signs that maybe, just maybe, her best friend wasn't being entirely honest.

Friday afternoon, Mia found herself walking through the school halls, her mind racing. Ryan had asked if she and Sarah wanted to hang out after class, and while Mia was excited to see him, the same knot of doubt twisted inside her. If Sarah liked him too, why wasn't she saying anything? And if she didn't, then why did Mia keep catching that odd look in her eyes?

She didn't have time to dwell on it for long, though, because as she rounded the corner, she nearly ran into Ryan himself.

"Whoa, careful there," Ryan said, laughing as he steadied her. "You okay?"

Mia's heart did a little flip at his touch, but she forced herself to stay calm. "Yeah, sorry! Just in my head a bit."

Ryan tilted his head, his eyes softening. "You've seemed kind of distracted lately. Everything alright?"

Mia froze for a moment, not expecting the question. She wanted to tell him everything—that she liked him, that she was confused about Sarah, that she didn't know how to handle the whirlwind of emotions building inside her. But instead, she just smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind," she said, brushing it off. "But I'm good."

Ryan seemed to study her for a moment, his gaze lingering a little longer than usual, but he didn't push. "Alright. Just checking."

They walked together to the school courtyard, where Sarah was already waiting. She waved at them from across the field, her usual bright smile in place, but Mia could feel the weight of her unspoken thoughts hanging between them.

"Finally!" Sarah said as they approached. "I thought you guys were going to leave me hanging."

Ryan chuckled, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Nah, wouldn't do that. Ready to head out?"

Mia smiled, trying to push aside the tension she felt. "Yeah, let's go."

The three of them made their way to the park, the crisp autumn air swirling around them. The leaves had begun to fall in earnest now, creating a colorful carpet on the ground. Mia loved this time of year—everything felt fresh and alive, yet somehow peaceful. But today, the beauty of the park couldn't quiet the unease gnawing at her.

They found a quiet spot under a large oak tree and sat down. Sarah, as always, launched into conversation immediately, talking about school, their teachers, and her plans for the weekend. Mia listened, but her mind kept wandering back to the same question: What if Sarah liked Ryan? How long could this go on without the truth coming out?

At one point, as Sarah was talking about a new movie she wanted to see, Mia noticed Ryan watching her. His gaze was soft, almost affectionate, but there was something else there too—something unreadable. Mia's heart raced, wondering if she was imagining it, or if Ryan was feeling the same confusion she was.

"So, what about you, Mia?" Sarah asked suddenly, snapping her out of her thoughts. "You've been kind of quiet lately."

Mia blinked, caught off guard. "Oh, sorry. Just thinking."

Sarah gave her a knowing look, one that Mia couldn't quite decipher. "Thinking about anything in particular?"

Mia hesitated, glancing at Ryan, who was watching her with quiet curiosity. She wanted to say it, to ask Sarah outright if there was more going on, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, she just shook her head and smiled.

"Nothing important. Just... stuff."

Sarah didn't push, but Mia could feel the tension thickening in the air. There were things unsaid between them, things that Mia wasn't ready to confront just yet.

That night, Mia sat on her bed, staring at her phone. She had texted Sarah earlier, asking her if she wanted to hang out over the weekend, but her mind was still spinning with doubts. Why couldn't she just ask Sarah if she liked Ryan too? They were best friends—this should be easy. But it wasn't.

Just as she was about to set her phone down, a text from Sarah appeared on the screen.

Sarah: Hey, about earlier... you sure everything's okay? You seemed off.

Mia hesitated before typing a response.

Mia: Yeah, I'm fine. Just been thinking a lot lately. Sorry if I was weird.

She stared at the message, her fingers hovering over the keyboard, debating whether to say more. Should she ask? Should she tell Sarah how she felt about Ryan? Before she could decide, Sarah's next message came through.

Sarah: It's okay. I know things have been a little intense with everything going on. If you ever need to talk, I'm here.

Mia felt a lump form in her throat. Sarah was always so supportive, so understanding, and it made Mia feel even worse for keeping her feelings hidden. But how could she tell her the truth without ruining their friendship?

Mia sighed and typed a quick response.

Mia: Thanks, Sarah. I appreciate that.

As she lay back on her bed, Mia stared at the ceiling, her mind still buzzing. How long could she keep pretending that everything was normal when, deep down, nothing felt normal at all?

And then, as she closed her eyes, a new thought entered her mind—one that sent a chill down her spine.

What if Sarah already knew how she felt about Ryan? What if Sarah was just waiting for Mia to say something, because maybe—just maybe—she was feeling the same way too?

But the scariest part was this: What if Sarah wasn't just waiting for Mia to confess her feelings, but was also holding back her own?