Sad stories [English]

Part 9 [Letting her go]

"I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! " 

Jeanne's eyes were wide and filled with tears. She was afraid of what he would say to her.

Jeanne was a nerdy girl with thick glasses. She was a junior in her middle school. She was in love with the hottest guy in the entire school.

And now, she told him that she loved him.

"Haha! Shut up. Nobody would like you! Who do you think I am?"

Jeanne had feared he would say something like that. She was devastated. She started running. She didn't want to face him ever again. All these thoughts and feelings ran through her head. She continued running until she bumped into something.

"Hey, whats up?"

She had bumped into James.

"What?! I'll Go Tell Him! Where Does He Get That Nerve! Sometimes, I Don't Know Why I'm His Best Friend! That's It! I'm Going To Go Beat Him Up!"

"NO! James! Don't do it! It's not his fault. I was the foolish one to think we can ever date."

"But Jeanne!"

"No, it's OK! I should go."

"JEANNE... James grabbed her by the wrist as she was getting up. Don't go..."

Jeanne stared into his eyes and felt so warm and fuzzy; a feeling she didn't feel for a long time. She looked away awkwardly. She was staring into his eyes for such a long time that there was a awkward moment of silence between them. Then, she gently took her wrist out of James grasp and slowly walked away from him with tears in her eyes.

"Dammit, James! You really did it this time! Jeanne just left you! And why are you trying to hit on her?"

James walked back home with his hands stuffed in his pocket. Thoughts of Jeanne ran through his head. He didn't want Jeanne to be hurt by a jackass. He wanted to show her that he loved her. He wanted to show her he cared. But Jeanne seemed to just ignore him. Just as he was deep in thoughts, someone appeared in front of him. James stopped in his tracks to find himself starring at Jeanne again.

"Oh, I'm so sorry... I'm very, very sorry about knocking into you and leaving without saying a word. I'm sorry. Can I repay you somehow?"

"Jeanne", James said, lifting her chin. Jeanne looked through his soft eyes and almost melted.

"James..." said Jeanne. Suddenly, she started crying. James was shocked.

"J-Jeanne? What's wrong?"

"I' m s-s-such a f-fool! H-How c-c-can I e-ever th-think t-that E-Eric loves me?"

"Jeanne... I would not call that foolish... I actually admire you for having the guts to confess your love. However, crying about him is indeed foolish. Jeanne, don't cry about that jerk. Here, let's go to my house. We're right in front of it!" Jeanne nodded.

James led her to the bathroom.

"Take off your glasses. We need to wipe those tears off." He said with a smile. Jeanne took them off without a word. James turned on the water and wetted a washcloth. Then, he gently wiped her tears off her face.

"James.. Do you love me?" James was startled by this comment.

"Why do you ask me that?"

"Because... it seems like it. Do you?"

"Haha! Jeanne, you are my friend."

"Oh... OK. I think I'm not so teary now. Thanks, James."

"No problem. Do you want something to drink?"