The Moon Shines when the Sun Isn't Around

Part 35

The Confrontation

Oreo and King stood in the middle of the school courtyard, surrounded by the usual after-school chaos. Students laughed and chatted, oblivious to the tension that crackled between them. Oreo's heart raced as she prepared to address the situation with King. They had danced around their feelings for too long.

"Can we talk?" King asked, his voice steady yet tinged with something deeper.

"Yeah, we need to," Oreo replied, anxiety and anticipation swirling inside her.

They moved to a quieter corner, away from prying eyes and the bustling crowd. The fading sunlight cast long shadows, creating an intimate atmosphere perfect for their conversation.

"First off, I want to apologize for how I reacted when Daron was bothering you," King began, his tone earnest. "I just want you to know that you didn't deserve any of that."

Oreo nodded, grateful for his understanding. "Thank you, King. It was really hard, but having you there helped me a lot. I don't think I would have stood up to him if you hadn't encouraged me."

King shifted his weight, running a hand through his hair. "I just want you to know how much I care about you. It frustrates me to see you hurt by someone like him."

Her heart fluttered at his words. "I care about you too. You've been my rock through all of this. But there's something I've been thinking about... and I'm not sure how to say it."

"Just say it," he urged, his gaze steady. "We've always been honest with each other, right?"

Taking a deep breath, Oreo gathered her thoughts. "I've been feeling a lot of pressure lately. Not just from Daron but also from everything else going on in our lives. Sometimes it feels like we're navigating a minefield."

King nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "I get that. There's a lot happening, and it can be overwhelming. But I want you to know that you're not alone in this. I'm here, and I want to help."

Oreo smiled, appreciating his unwavering support. "I know that. But I've been wrestling with my own feelings too. There's this connection between us that I can't ignore anymore."

King's eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across his face. "What do you mean? Like a friendship connection?"

"No, it's more than that," Oreo clarified, her heart pounding. "I mean, I value our friendship more than anything, but I've started to realize that I might feel something deeper for you. Something I didn't want to admit at first."

King took a step back, processing her words. "Wow, I didn't expect that," he admitted, a mixture of surprise and curiosity in his eyes. "I thought I was the only one feeling that way."

"You feel it too?" Oreo asked, her heart racing.

"Yeah, I do," he confessed, a shy smile spreading across his face. "I've liked you for a long time, but I didn't want to mess up our friendship. I didn't know if you felt the same way."

Relief washed over Oreo as she realized they were on the same page. "I was scared to say anything because I didn't want to complicate things. But I think we need to figure this out together."

"Definitely," King agreed, his expression serious again. "But I want to make sure we approach this the right way. I don't want to rush into anything if it means risking what we already have."

"Me neither," Oreo said, feeling a sense of understanding settle between them. "I think we should take our time and see where this connection leads. Let's keep talking and being honest with each other, no matter what."