Love Admits Deceit

How Did I Not Know

---

The school bell rang, signaling the end of another long day. As the students poured out of the classrooms, Emma felt a familiar wave of relief wash over her. She gathered her things and headed toward the exit, her heart lifting at the sight of Ethan waiting for her by his car.

“Hey! Ready to go?” Ethan called, a warm smile lighting up his face.

“Yeah, just give me a second,” Emma replied, shoving her books into her bag. She made her way to him, her heart fluttering slightly. Ethan’s presence was always comforting, but today there was a hint of tension in the air.

“Do you want me to drop you off?” he offered, glancing back at the parking lot where other cars were leaving. Emma hesitated, glancing at the sky where the clouds were beginning to gather. She could almost sense the warmth of his desire to spend more time together, but she couldn’t shake off the weight of her responsibilities at home.

“No, it’s okay. I can just walk,” she said, trying to sound casual, but the disappointment flickered across Ethan’s face.

“Are you sure? It’s really cold out, and you’re not even wearing a coat,” he protested, his concern evident. “I can drive you home; it won’t take long.”

Emma shook her head, trying to keep her tone light. “I really don’t want to bother you. Plus, I could use the walk. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

Before he could argue, Ethan’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, and his expression changed. “It’s my mom. I have to take this,” he said, glancing at the screen.

“Go ahead. I’ll be fine,” Emma insisted, her heart heavy as she saw the determination in his eyes.

Ethan frowned, clearly torn. “Are you sure you don’t want me to wait?” he asked, his voice low.

“Really, I’ll be okay. I can manage,” she reassured him, forcing a smile despite the sinking feeling in her chest.

Defeated but unwilling to push back against his mother’s call, Ethan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration. “Okay, but text me when you get home, alright?”

“Promise,” Emma said, giving him a small wave as he reluctantly walked away. As he turned, a strange feeling settled in Ethan’s chest. It was a mix of concern and something deeper—something he couldn’t quite place.

As Emma turned to head down the path toward her house, she spotted Jake and Mia. Mia looked unusually happy, animatedly talking to Jake, who wore a bright smile. But as soon as he caught sight of Emma, his expression shifted to one of focus, and he made his way over.

“Hey, Emma! Need a ride?” Jake offered, his tone casual but eager.

Emma hesitated. “Um, I don’t want to impose,” she said, glancing back toward Mia.

“Don’t worry about it! I can drop you off,” Jake insisted, glancing at Mia, who mask her disappointment and asked Emma to go with him. Emma noticed the brief flicker of something in her friend’s eyes.

With a sigh, Emma finally agreed, “Okay, sure. Just for today, though.” She said goodbye to Mia, who forced a smile but couldn’t hide the tear welling in her eye as she watched them leave.

As they climbed into Jake's car, Emma felt a mix of excitement and guilt. The warmth of the interior contrasted sharply with the cold air outside, but there was still an unease that lingered between them.

“So, I can’t wait to meet your mom,” Jake said, breaking the silence as they pulled out of the school parking lot. His tone was light, but Emma caught the underlying tension in his voice.

“Uh, yeah. She’s... busy a lot,” Emma replied, her heart racing. The thought of Jake meeting her mother made her stomach churn. What if her mom didn’t recognize him? What if everything fell apart?

Jake nodded, seemingly oblivious to her inner turmoil. “I bet she’s great,” he said, his eyes focused on the road ahead. Emma managed a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

As they drove through the snowy streets, she couldn't shake the feeling that the past was creeping up on her, and secrets loomed just beneath the surface.

---

As Jake parked the car outside the small diner, Emma felt her usual numbness, the kind she had grown used to over the months. No excitement or rush of feelings, just the steady weight of her life as it was. Snow continued to fall lightly around them, soft flakes resting on her hair as she led Jake inside.

When they stepped through the door, the warm diner air was familiar, comforting even, but Emma still felt disconnected. Her mom greeted them with her usual bright smile, but something changed the moment she saw Jake.

Her mother’s smile faltered for a second, eyes narrowing as she studied him. Then, her face lit up with recognition. “Wait… Jake? Is that really you?”

Emma blinked, caught off guard. “You know him?”

Her mom chuckled, her gaze still locked on Jake. “Of course! You two were inseparable as kids. Emma used to call you ‘J.J.’—you remember that?”

Emma felt her heart skip. J.J. She stared at Jake, piecing it together slowly, the weight of the realization sinking in.

Jake shifted awkwardly, guilt flickering in his eyes. “Yeah… I’m that Jake.”

Emma’s usual indifferent feeling swelled into something heavier—guilt. How did I not know? He wasn’t the boy she remembered, not in appearance or demeanor, and now the familiarity felt distant, like it belonged to another time entirely.

Her mom laughed softly. “Emma cried for a week when you left! She wouldn’t stop asking for her J.J.”

Emma glared at her mother, but the embarrassment barely touched her now. The truth settled in deeper: she hadn’t recognized him, hadn’t felt anything close to what she thought she should when reconnecting with a childhood friend.

Jake offered a sad smile. “I didn’t mean to disappear like that.”

Emma didn’t respond right away, her thoughts drifting. How could I not have known?

But even as her mom continued to talk about their past, all Emma felt was the strange numbness that had become too familiar. No joy, no excitement—just the weight of everything unsaid.

Plz vote for my story it isn't gud but I'm trying my best , it's not fair for me to write while no one vote,plz🥺🥺❤️