All The Love He Does Not Know

Chapter 16: Aliyah

A few weeks later It was lunch time and Lexi and I were sitting on the bench in the school courtyard. I turned to see her smiling but with a serious look on her face as we ate.
"This is nice." She finally said.
"What is?"
"Us being together again after everything that's happened I miss hanging out with you just us."
"Me too I just wish everybody could be here."
"Everybody?"
"Freya?."
"Yeah."
"And Nate? how come he's not here?"
"I did call him but he said that he was busy this break I don't know what he was doing though."
"Probably doing weird guy stuff or hanging out with Caitlyn again."
"Caitlyn? His ex Caitlyn? I thought they broke up months ago."
"They did but I saw them talking yesterday afternoon so I don't know."
"Oh well I hope he's having a great time cause I know that we are."
"Yes it's not like him to miss lunch with us though."
"That's alright his loss."
The two of as laughed as we each shoved another bite of our sandwiches into our mouths.
"True cause we're here together."
"That's always more fun."
I smiled even though it pained me that he was already back with her but I tried not to let it show. Until I saw the two of them together holding hands and kissing on the front steps of the school.
"Ali?" Lexi called but I was too distracted I finally turned back to her trying my best not to break out into tears as I turned my head away.
"Ali?"
"I can't do it anymore." The words poured out of me and the tears did as well.
She pulled me close wrapped her arms around me as she spoke up with a worried look on her face.
"What is it? You know you can tell me anything."
I spoke softly whispering under my breath.
"Not this, I..."
I stuttered on the words as I continued to speak.
"It hurts too much and I know you'll hate me for it."
"Please Ali just tell me what it is.?"
Lexi guided me over to a bench and we both sat down as she waited desperately for an answer.
"I like him."
"Who?"
She looked up to see what I had seen although I didn't want to look back anymore.
"Nate? I know."
"You do?"
"Yeah Freya and I always knew the way you always stare at him and become distracted like just before."
"I've joked about it so many times laughing and pretending that the two of them don't bother me but each time it's just been eating me up inside knowing how he feels about her."
She sighed probably mad at me as I wasn't sure how she felt about it.
"You know he doesn't feel that way about her I think he just wants a girlfriend that's why he keeps going back to her."
I nodded.
"I know I wish it was me though."
"Ali you don't have to worry of course he likes you there's no denying it I see the way he looks at you too."
"No I see the way that he looks at her otherwise it'd be us together and not them."
She moved from the seat then stepped in front of me crouching down at my knees. I stayed sitting with my head peering down avoiding eye contact as I stated aimlessly at the ground. Tears were gushing down my face now and I could hear the change of sound In my voice.
"Don't worry everything will be ok."
I wanted so badly to tell her what had happened between Nate and I not that long ago but we promised that we would keep it a secret so I knew I couldn't. If Lexi knew about that she wouldn't say that there was hope because clearly that was the end. He doesn't want to ruin our friendship which means all we will ever be is friends.