𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 | 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲

𝐅 𝐎 𝐑 𝐓 𝐘 - 𝐓 𝐖 𝐎

Camden

I sit on the cold park bench, the sun dipping below the trees as shadows stretch across the grass. My fingers tap nervously against my phone screen, and I glance down for what must be the hundredth time, checking for a reply from Sage. I texted her about twenty minutes ago, asking her to meet me here, and she agreed to come, but my nerves are still all over the place. I don't want to hurt her. I care about her too much for that.

I hear footsteps on the path behind me, and I look up to see Sage strolling over with that bright smile of hers. She looks happy, hopeful even, and it makes my chest tighten a little more. She plops down next to me with a playful grin, pulling me into a quick hug.

"Hey, Cam." she says, her voice light and warm. "What's up? What's with the mysterious text?"

I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Hey, Sage." I offer her a small, hesitant smile, feeling my heart thud nervously. "I just... I needed to talk to you about something."

She raises an eyebrow, giving me a curious look. "Sounds serious. What's going on?"

I take a moment to gather my thoughts, my eyes drifting to the grass as I try to steady myself. "It's... well, it's about Sofia." I glance back at her, watching as her expression shifts, a faint understanding beginning to form.

Sage nods, gesturing for me to go on, but I can see a hint of something in her eyes, a sadness she's trying to hide, maybe. "Yeah, I figured it might be about her." she says softly.

I take another deep breath, looking at her with as much honesty as I can muster. "Sage, I know how you feel about me. And it means a lot. You mean a lot. But... I don't feel the same way. I'm in love with Sofia. She's... she's my other half, you know? And I can't imagine my life without her."

Her face softens, and she gives me a gentle smile, squeezing my hand. "I know, Cam." she says quietly, her voice full of kindness and understanding. "I've known for a while. And it's okay. Really."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "I'm sorry, Sage. I never wanted to hurt you."

She shakes her head, still smiling at me in that warm, reassuring way of hers. "Cam, there's no need to apologize. I knew, deep down, that I didn't stand a chance. It's obvious you love Sofia with everything you have. And I'm honestly happy for you. She's lucky to have you."

The relief that washes over me is almost overwhelming, but it's mixed with gratitude for Sage, her kindness, her understanding, her unwavering friendship. "You deserve someone amazing, Sage. Someone who'll love you with their whole heart. And they'll be so damn lucky to have you."

She chuckles, giving my arm a playful punch. "Oh, stop it. You're making me sound way cooler than I am."

I laugh, opening my arms to her. "Friends?"

"Friends." she echoes, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug. We stay like that for a while, just holding on, and I feel this immense gratitude for her, for this friendship that's managed to weather so much. She's one of the best people I know, and I'm lucky to have her in my life.

When we pull back, she grins, her eyes a little brighter than before. "Alright, enough with the sappy stuff. Now let's go get ice cream or something. I'm gonna need it after all this emotional rollercoaster."

I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in days. "Ice cream sounds perfect."

And as we walk off together, I know that everything's going to be okay.

————————————————————————————————————

~ R