{my best mistake} (ONE)

hey//

then his look changed. he looked..nervous?

"ummm Duke?"

he heald my shoulders with his hands. he looked at me straight in the eyes. i had no idea what was going to happen.

"Julia. I love you."

"What." I say, confused as hell and staring straight at Duke. "You do not."

"Yes," he steps closer, "I do. And I know you may not love me, but I'm trying to get over you."

"Trying to get over me by telling me you love me?" I cross my arms.

"It's a process. Shut up." He walks inside the classroom followed by me. It wasn't awkward, I just couldn't look at him the same way I used to. I know I didn't love him, but I felt bad that he loved me.

After school, me and Julia were hanging out. Wed became closer as friends, but I was worried that that's all we'll ever be.

We were at a Starbucks, just being dumb and talking. I told her how duke said he loved me.

She looked at me. "Well then."

"What?"

"Nothing."
"Don't lie"
"Mmmmmmmmm I have to go" she gets up quickly.
"Wait what-" and just like that, she's out the door.

This day is just plain strange.

I walked home and saw I had a text from Rose.

Rose:...I love you
Rose: and you may not love me
Rose: and I don't think I could take that pain
Rose: so please tell me I'm not crazy when I say I feel something between us..

I looked at the texts. I read them three times. I didn't notice who was behind me

"Who's that." My mom's voice reaches my ears and she crosses her arms.
I turn quickly, turning my phone off. "My f-friend."

"Oh Julia.." her face has sympathy, "Are you confused?"

"What- mom no I'm not confused-"

"Honey, it's okay." She steps closer to me, "You're not one of those lesbians, I know it."

She says lesbians like it's a bad thing. I step away from her. "N-no mom of course not."

She smiles and heads out the door, without another word. I get a call.

"..."

"..."

"...I love you too."