Invisible

Like Shadows in a Faded Light

Eleanor's POV

"An idiot DJ, a tortured academic, a hot rich fraud with legs for days...sidenote, I might legit be into Tahani..."

Then I thought: what was going to happen after all this? Were we just going to be sent to other Bad Place neighborhoods to be physically tortured? Would I never see Tahani again? The thought was enough to scare me, and if that was what would most likely happen, I needed to be real here. Because 'might legit be into Tahani' didn't even begin to cover it.

"No, I'm not into Tahani. I'm in love with Tahani!" I announced, with my back still facing her. Silence hit the room for a few moments before Michael raised an eyebrow at me in amusement.

"You do realize that she's in love with Chidi right? You said it yourself a few minutes ago!" Michael laughed. "Oh what joy! Another variable in the long net of variables of torture! Not only is Tahani upset that Chidi doesn't love her, but you love her! You've really dug a hole for yourself with this sad confession of yours, Eleanor."

"That...shut up, let me get to the point. We improved each other and I became a better person. The only thing you did was brought us all together." I finished as confidently as I could, hiding my bruised ego. Unfortunately Michael got an idea to reset our memories and left to 'get the boss-man's approval.' So much for that love confession.

It seemed to be taking a lot longer than I expected so I was heading over to grab a piece of paper when Tahani stood in my way.

"You don't need to tell me, I get it. You like Chidi and not me. But you two aren't exactly 'two sophisticates' now." I sighed. "You'll never love me, but it's not like you're too good for me Tahani. All I wanted was you, and I guess things will never work out."

"I'm not too good for you?" Tahani said in disbelief. "You're being bitter and you're implying that we're on the same level? Even if it was just for selfish reasons, I still made the world a better place than it was before. All you did find different places to get drunk and steal shrimp!"

"At least I can acknowledge that I was selfish, you still think that you're better than me!" I retorted, my heart breaking.

"Gee, you really sound like you're in love with me like you say you are! I thought I was 'impressive, brilliant, and perfect' Tahani in your eyes." Tahani sneered.

"I never said you were perfect. And if I did, then I would be in love with the idea of you. You think I didn't know about your condescending attitude and your pride before Michael revealed that this is the Bad Place? Well I did, but I fell in love with you anyway. It's like you said Tahani...love can be complicated, but it can also be so simple. You're beautiful, but you're also broken...but so am I. You want to be loved and appreciated because you don't think you're enough. You try to be proud of your own accomplishments because your own parents weren't so you must convince everyone else to be proud. But I love you and I appreciate you just the way you are, I think you're enough. You don't have to hide your pain anymore Tahani. We're all probably going to lose our memories anyway..."

I reached my hand out to hold her's but she moved two steps back, her eyes welling up with tears.

"I...can't. I don't feel that way, my feelings for Chidi can't just disappear. And I can't possibly believe that you and me are on the same level. I've done so much for the world, charities, a-and helpless children everywhere! My life's work was for nothing!" Tahani sobbed, running to the couch to cry onto Chidi's shoulder. Chidi was too shocked to move away at first, but after a few seconds he got up.

"I...need some fresh air." Chidi ran out of the house, leaving me, Tahani, and the two confused lovebirds Jason and Janet.

And Tahani's rejection hurt...a lot more than I thought it would. I realized that tears were streaming down my face, and I felt a sudden urge to cry in despair like Tahani was. Not only did she say that she still loved Chidi, but she couldn't even admit that we weren't too different despite my love confession that I put so much heart into, even as she was putting me down over and over again. Does she not even like me?