At First Sight: A Love That Couldn't Last

Chapter 11: Unseen Admiration and Unspoken Secrets

Ryan sat at the back of the classroom, his eyes subtly following Tiara as she interacted with her friends. His outwardly cool and confident demeanor masked the hidden feelings he had been nursing since he first saw her. Unlike most of the students, Ryan hadn’t just “bumped into” Tiara by chance. He had heard about her from some of the seniors before he even arrived on campus. Her grace, beauty, and reputation as one of the best dancers in the college had intrigued him long before he actually met her.

Ryan had also heard something else from the seniors—a rumor that Tiara was dating someone, and not just anyone, but a senior student, Robin. It didn’t take long for him to confirm the truth behind the gossip. He had seen the way Robin and Tiara looked at each other during their fleeting interactions on campus. Yet, despite knowing she was already taken, Ryan couldn’t stop the growing admiration he felt for her.

The thought of Robin didn’t deter him. In fact, the more he observed Tiara, the more he convinced himself that maybe, just maybe, there was room for someone else in her life. He had caught glimpses of her looking troubled or distant, as if something weighed heavily on her heart. Ryan believed that perhaps things weren’t as perfect between Tiara and Robin as they seemed.

As the day of the college program drew closer, Ryan became more determined. He signed up for one of the events that would give him an opportunity to perform in front of the whole college, including Tiara. It wasn’t about showing off—Ryan wasn’t that type. Instead, it was his subtle way of getting closer to her, maybe even catching her attention.

The evening of the program arrived. The auditorium buzzed with excitement as students and faculty filled the seats, waiting for the performances to begin. Tiara stood backstage, her heart racing with nerves. She had spent weeks preparing for her dance, and even though she was confident in her skills, the tension of the event always made her anxious.

Ryan watched from the side, his gaze never leaving Tiara as she adjusted her costume and warmed up with her dance group. He noticed how poised and elegant she looked, but also how her eyes seemed clouded with something deeper—an emotion he couldn’t quite place. Was it fear? Sadness? Doubt? He wondered if it had something to do with Robin.

Ryan’s heart pounded as his moment came to step on stage for his performance. The spotlight hit him, and he took a deep breath. His eyes searched the audience for Tiara, and he found her watching him from backstage. For a fleeting second, their gazes locked, and in that instant, Ryan felt a surge of hope. Perhaps she had noticed him after all.

After his act, Ryan returned to the audience to watch the rest of the program. Tiara’s dance was the highlight of the evening. The entire room fell silent as she stepped onto the stage, the lights casting a soft glow around her. Her movements were fluid, graceful, and mesmerizing. Every step she took told a story, and Ryan felt captivated by her presence. But there was something else he noticed—an underlying sadness in the way she danced, as if her emotions were bleeding through every movement.

As Tiara finished her performance and the applause echoed through the auditorium, Ryan’s heart raced. He couldn’t deny his feelings any longer. Despite everything, despite knowing about Robin, he still liked her—more than he cared to admit. But what could he do? She was already in a relationship, and yet, something told him that there was more to her story than anyone else knew.

As the night came to an end, Ryan made a silent promise to himself. He would be patient, and if ever the opportunity arose, he would be there for her, even if it meant waiting in the shadows. Because sometimes, the heart wants what it wants, even when it knows the risks. And for Ryan, Tiara was worth the risk.

Little did he know that this college program would mark the beginning of a series of unexpected turns, ones that would bring him closer to Tiara in ways he had never imagined.