Remi Never Smiles ✔️

Chapter 9

I haven't talked to him since. I've tried. Countless times in the few weeks that we've been back at school. He ignores me. He ignores Willow. He ignores everything.

So when I finally got his attention, you can't imagine how relieved I was to hear him.

"What, Remi!?" he shouts after I repeatedly poked him with my crutches. We were standing in an empty parking lot.

"I've missed you, Nick. Why aren't you talking to me?"

He huffed, beginning to walk away. "You should know why."

I poked him again, stopping him. "Well, I obviously don't, so please explain."

He was still facing the other way. "You should know why I'm this mad at you, Remi."

"You walked in on me kissing a guy in my house! What's the big deal besides the invasion of my privacy?"

He spun around, stomping closer to me, and looked me dead in my face. His eyes were dark and our faces were inches apart.

"Because it wasn't me," he answered.

"... You like me?"

He sighed loudly taking a few steps back. "God, Remi! I more than fucking like you! I've been in love with you since we met! Why couldn't you see that before!?"

"I'm not a mind-reader, Nick! Even if I was, what would you expect me to do with that information?"

"Something!"

"Christ, why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I knew I would have to ask this question."

"What question, Nick?"

"Whether or not you like me back. Whether or not I met you for nothing or admitted my biggest secret to you for absolutely no reason... Or if it's the opposite and something else goes on."

I stayed silent. I love Nick, possibly more than anyone else in the world, but not in the way he wants. Part of me wants to love him that way, just to see him happy, but I can't lie to him. I can't lead him on for what could possibly be the rest of my life if I tell him that I do.

"Well?"

I postponed my reply for a little bit before telling him the truth. "I love you, Nick-"

"But..."

"Yeah, there's a but. I love you, but not in that way."

"Because you like Luke... I get it. I'm just your best friend. That's all."

"Nick, no. You're more than that. You've been here for me practically my whole life."

"I can't, Remi."

"What?"

"I can't continue to be here for you just as a friend. It physically, mentally, and emotionally hurts that I know you don't have the same feelings. I'm sorry I lied back when I said that if I had feelings for you, I would've told you by then. I did figure them out way before that, but I knew you didn't feel that way."

"Nick, don't-"

"I can't be friends with you, Remi. I just can't. Please just go find someone else to take care of you because I can't anymore. I don't mind picking up Mikey once in a while, but I can't be around you without thinking of you and Luke."

He walked away, leaving me deserted and alone in the parking lot.

I stood there, drowning in my own tears, when I felt someone come up behind me and put a hand on my shoulder. I turned slightly, not even having to look at his face to know it was Luke, and began walking away.