How Can We

Chapter Thirty Four

Chapter Thirty Four

"This is kind of embarrassing, and utterly humiliating if it turns out the way I think it will." He paused for a second, nervous, peaking her interest. However, nothing would prepare her for the speech about to come next.

"I care about you Artemis, more than friends should and more than I should care about another human being. My feelings for you run deep, and they are very much real. I love every little thing about you, even the flaws."

So she wasn't imagining it, Wally cared about her too. Artemis should have been jumping for joy and rushing into his arms, but she was anything but happy. This was devastating news, he just made all of her worst fears come true.

Artemis couldn't handle commitment, or any type of relationship. Nothing could become of them.

"You make my heart skip a beat everytime you smile in my direction. You have trusted me with your secrets and opened up to me, so now I'm giving you my heart to hold and do with as you wish. I can't go on another day without letting you know just how much you brighten up my day."

His words struck a blow to her heart. Every sweet thing he said only twisted the knife deeper, and reminded her of why they could never be. She didn't want to crush his heart, but she needed to set the record straight for both their sakes.

"Wally, I-" She began to say before he cut her off.

"I can't be imagining it, you must feel something for me too." There was no denying that. It was painfully clear that she cared for him, just as much as he did for her.

Wally rested his palm against the side of her face. "I desperately want to kiss you right now, but I'm going to wait until you are ready. Let it be clear that I'm fighting for you Artemis." He leaned forward and gently kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes and relished in his touch, wishing he wouldn't hold back on a kiss. Just one kiss.

And just for a second she began to believe in his words.

"I'll be waiting." He told her, before giving her one last look and walking away. Artemis was left alone, tired and confused with all the information thrust at her. She needed time alone to think, but a small part of her wished he would have stayed.

*******

Artemis was a flawed person, she saw those flaws every time she looked in the mirror. It was the first thing she saw in the morning and the last thing she saw before going to sleep. She knew she had her own issues, one of which was avoiding Wally.

She told herself she needed time to think things over, and sort everything out for herself. But she also knew the real reason behind her reluctance to see him again. Artemis had to let him down, and she couldn't fathom a way to do it gently.

They couldn't be together, it would be a disaster. And knowing Wally, he wouldn't take that answer, so she had to take drastic action. There was no other way.

She had to do what was necessary and best for both of them. Wally deserved someone much better than her, and to give him his best chance he needed to get over her. Thus, she had to break his heart, something she didn't feel any happiness doing.

Wracked with guilt she decided to avoid Wally, maybe some time would soften the blow.

Artemis thought she was being discrete, trying not to make it too obvious that she was purposefully avoiding him. She came to school later than normal, took the long way to class and maneuvered her way through the hallways furthest from his classes to ensure their paths wouldn't cross unintentionally.

None of her friends said anything, but after a couple of days she noticed that they began to get catch on. Wally certainly caught on quickly, he didn't do anything about it giving her all the time she needed. Wally would occasionally look at her and sigh before looking away.