Swapped Love | ✓

■ Love confession

"Okay. Here it goes," Jared took a deep breath. He stopped dancing and took us to a corner before pulling me closer. I could hear his breathing and wild pounding of his heart. I frowned.

"Hear that? That's my heart thudding, shouting at me to say what I feel," He whispered in my ears, before he placed his hands on my waist again and started dancing.

I was starting to shake already as I gulped. My legs were going wobbly. If Jared hadn't been holding me, I would be nursing a sprained ankle by now. I hoped it wasn't what I was expecting.

This wasn't the right time to say. Don't say anything.

"What-" I began, but he placed his finger on my lips.

"Please let me speak, Alice. Don't let anything interrupt this time. I will seriously burst to bits if I don't say now," He grinned nervously, "It has taken me lots of guts to say what I am about to say."

I gulped and kept quiet, indicating him to speak but not those three words. Wait for a few more days, Jared.

"Five months ago, I met you at the market and I thank God everyday for that day," He smiled widely.

It was Alice. Not me.

"-and then I thought, you wouldn't want to meet me again. But you came to the café that day and we became friends, despite me wanting more. And now I realize it was for the best because I got to know you better. We have spoken so much from family to studies. We have had our own share of adventures and gone on outings. I never had such feelings for any girl before and I am not lying when I say you're the second girl with whom I have been with and the first female friend with whom I have spent the most of my happy memories. You amaze me, you are weird, but you still never fail to amuse me or make me laugh. I know it sounds cliché but I can't help it anymore.
      I tried, I tried very hard not to feel for you anymore, but the more I spend time with you the more I realize that I am falling for you harder," His voice didn't waver as he spoke.

Fuck! No! No! Don't say it!

"Shit, I am rambling. My palms are sweating. You don't mind, do you?"

I immediately shook my head.

"So, Alice Marshall, I am saying it. I have fallen for you. Heavily. I see you everywhere I go. I think of you 24*7. This isn't a high school crush anymore for me. I knew I was attracted to you on our first meeting, but I fell in love with you afterwards. Exactly when, I cannot say. You can call it whatever you want, a crush or an infatuation but for me, its pure love and admiration for you. I thought I could have just friendly feelings but I can't seem to have them.
I love you, Alice. I am so much in love with you. I love you very much," He finished, joy radiating off his face as his eyes twinkled.

I wasn't dancing anymore. I was numb. Jared was doing all the work now.

"I know you are shocked. You didn't want this. You can't do it. You said love is too much. You just wanted friendship. But I had to say it. I was going crazy. Ask Hailey or the guys. It was obvious but I needed to say it still."

He paused, looking relieved and delighted at the same time.

"I can't believe I said it. Finally! I don't know whether you love me or not but I do. I don't expect you to love me back. I can't act as if I don't feel anything for you anymore. I love you so damn much," He smiled, baring his teeth, "God, you have no idea," He was rattling off.

His eyes were sparkling. He looked so lively and happy. But his eyes also showed nervousness, waiting for my answer.

I was paralysed, literally, I couldn't feel my toes. The dress seemed tighter and I felt like puking. My lips had gone dry. I had messed it up badly. I had taken it too far. I had miscalculated the time. I had gone too far to return.