It was 6:30 in the evening when I entered the cafe, hoping Jess would show up. I was eager to talk to Jess, because of which I came to the cafe, as soon as the discussion with Ethan got over. As I stared out of the window admiring the beautiful sunset, my thoughts drifted to my first day at Castalia.
FLASHBACK (3 years ago):
Being a new student is never easy, especially when it's a new town and one has no friends. As I was nervously standing by the office next to my class, waiting to get my agenda, I bumped into a stranger with raven black hair and stormy grey eyes. She had a stoic, athletic figure; I wouldn't have been surprised if she was an athlete. She was wearing a charcoal dark tank top and a short golden skirt: and I couldn't help but think that those clothes were definitely expensive. She helped me up and handed me my agenda.
I looked down and thanked her shyly.
"New student, huh? Cool. My name's Ashley. What's your name?", she asked.
"Amber.", I said.
"If you want I could show you around Amber", Ashley said.
END OF FLASHBACK
Little did I know that day, that I walked into the lion's den myself. But can you blame me? I didn't have anyone to guide me. Who am I kidding? I was the new student.
I still find it hard to believe that Jess broke through all the walls I built around myself and look where we are now. Inseparable ever since. Gosh, I miss her. I still don't know how she puts up with me. One reason I feel bad every time we fight .
Remind me to thank her later for being my friend through thick and thin and never leaving my side, I said to my head. *reminder set; but might be forgotten*
She can act tough for all she wants, but who is she kidding, she is really soft on the inside.
And Ethan...
That guy has held my heart captive for one whole year now. Its actually weird that the one who swore to hate him actually fell for him. Yes, I used to hate him once upon a time, but it was long, long ago. Maybe not so long ago though; that was two years ago. I still remember how he entered our small group the day Noah asked Jess out.
Ethan and Noah are like those friends who have each others back. I don't know their story but they are best friends and absolutely no one can deny that.
The first day Ethan joined our group his first sentence to me was, "Are you new? Don't think I've seen you around. I'm Ethan, by the way."
"Dear Mister Ethan, you need glasses cause I fear you are going blind. I've been here since forever. It's you who's new.", was what would have been a cool comeback, but it never really made its way out of my mouth.
I mean, I had been in this school for one whole year, you'd have to be blind to have not seen me lumbering around the school! I'm not popular, but I do know that I am not invisible. I might have overreacted, but in my defense, it does feels awful when you share classes with someone who you find attractive and that person doesn't even notice your existence. It is kind of offending especially when that person is egoistical while talking to you.
From that day on, he used to annoy me, every single day. Little things, like sneaking away my stationery or kicking my chair when I'm studying. It fueled my anger, making me yell at him all the time. Much to my bad luck, it used to amuse him. They say that there is a thin line between love and hate. And look where that got me.
As days went on, he started to grow on me and we eventually became closer as friends. That was, until one day, I realized I liked him in "more than just a friend" kind of a way.
It was hard for me not to, even though he is just as irritating as he is sweet. He has a kind, loving heart and most importantly dimples. He is the kind of person I could always count on whenever I feel lonely or when Jess and I argued. He handles my ever-changing moods with ease, due to which I felt connected to him in a way that I never thought I would have been capable of.
I know you are wondering why I didn't confess my feelings right away. Was I scared that I would lose my friendship that I have with him if I confessed? No. Thats not it. I knew that he wouldn't let that affect our friendship. I did try to tell him... but it didn't exactly go the way I wanted it to.
FLASHBACK:
It was a pleasant day. The sun was shimmering in the sky and its golden rays were seeping into the nearby clouds giving it a golden outline. There stood Castalia, in all its glory, surrounded by trees and a beautiful garden.
If I had a paintbrush and canvas with me, this was the kind of scene I would have loved to paint. As I made my way to Castalia, all I could think about was how I would confess the way I felt to Ethan. As I was still lost in my thoughts I bumped into someone. I internally cursed myself for my habit of running into people.
"AMBER, wow girl, you look like in you are in a hurry."
"Sorry Nat, I was just...", I trailed off not wanting to tell Natasha about what I was occupied with.
Nat gave me a knowing look as if she knew what I was thinking about and here I was thinking I dodged a bullet, but thankfully she let it be.
During lunch I decided to tell Ethan before I chickened out. As lunch came and I made my way to the cafeteria someone grabbed my hand. I turned around to find Ethan staring back at me.
I gave him my best smile and raised my eyebrows.
"Can I talk to you for a second Amber?", Ethan asked.
"Sure."
"Hey, I have a favor to ask you more like a question. There's this girl I like and I have no idea how to go on about it. I want your help cause I am pretty sure you are more creative than I am."
Even though my heart was breaking and the tears had started to accumulate in my eyes I was curious to know who the lucky girl was who accomplished to capture his heart like he had mine.
"Who is she?", I asked in a small voice with all the strength I could muster.
"Oh, you know her. Ashley."
END OF FLASHBACK
That was it. I distanced myself from Ethan after that day. I became the girl who admired him from afar. Poor guy doesn't even know why he lost his so called close friend. He did try to maintain our friendship but how long can it last one sided.
Till day our friendship is not as strong as it was before even though I apologized for what I did. He still doesn't know why though.
I was pulled out of my thoughts as I heard the bells of the cafe ring. Looks like Jess finally came.
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LOVE YOU GUYS FOR YOUR SUPPORT. WE WILL UPDATE SOON. LOOK OUT FOR IT.
- Amber
