A Misguided Hunch

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Chapter 19:

Jessica's POV:

Today was AJ's last day with us until he leaves. We were all just hanging around in the living room. I sat down next to Sami on the couch. I looked over from the corner of my eyes at AJ sitting on the couch next to ours. My eyes followed AJ as he got up and walked out the back door to the balcony.

Sami elbowed me and I looked over to her.

"Go out there." She said, pointing to the door. I could see AJ from the window. He was standing at the far end of the balcony, leaning over the edge.

I slowly, and very reluctantly, walked to the door. I opened the door, feeling very nervous about being alone with him.

I closed the door and walked over towards AJ, standing next to him against the edge.

"Hey." He said, casually.

"Hi."

There was a long pause. We both just stood there, looking out over the edge. There was a beautiful sunset, and I thought that maybe this was the perfect moment to tell him how I feel.

'Just do it. Before he leaves.' I thought to myself, feeling like a coward. I mentally kicked myself each second that passed by in silence.

Then AJ spoke. "Can I tell you something?"

"Y-yeah, anything." My voice was almost shaking. 'He is going to tell you he likes you!' I thought to myself, suddenly getting even more nervous. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and I was starting to get shaky from nerves.

"I-" He took a deep breath. "IlikeAli." He said, softly.

My heart literally broke that very instant. I just looked down, feeling my face get hot. How could I think he liked me? We've been best friends for years, why would that suddenly change now?

AJ looked at me, surprised. "You didn't-?" He never finished, but I knew that he knew I liked him.

"N-no." I said quickly. "It's fine."

We stood there, silent, but for the first time, the silence was awkward. I begged myself not to cry. Not yet. Not in front of AJ.

I thought of all the times I had thought AJ was flirting with me. Was it a misread sign? Was I completely off on my suspicion that he likes he? I must have been. He likes someone else, one of my friends.

"I'm sorry. I just don't feel that way about you. You're like a sister to me." AJ said. He turned to me and put his arms out a little, as if he were going to hug me, but he put them back down, and slowly turned around and walked down the stairs from the balcony to the yard, not saying a word. I watched out of the corner of my eye as he walked off, finally letting the tears escape. I turned around and sank down on the floor of the balcony.

The next thing I knew, Sami was by my side, hugging me.

Once I had finally calmed down enough to speak, Sami asked "What happened."

"H-he likes A-ali, n-not me." I said, sniffling. I told her the entire story, trying not to start crying again.

Once I finished, Sami gave me an enormous hug and whispered in my ear "I'm so sorry. I'm the one who pressured you into coming out here. If it makes you feel any better, he's stupid for not liking you. You're an amazing person and any guy would be lucky to have you."

I nodded as she got up and helped me up. I wiped away my tears as Sami led me inside the Manor.

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