Lovers Tales

Kyle and Grace

Kyle and Grace had been childhood friends since they met in kindergarten, and ever since then, they hadn't left each other's side. Now both attending Star University, they were still together, at least for the most part.

When it came time for the freshmen at Star University to join clubs, Kyle, being the athletic type, took an interest in basketball. Before long, he began to make a name for himself as the "hottest guy on campus."

However, with his new status came a change. Kyle and Grace found themselves spending less and less time together. Grace began to notice the growing distance between them. She felt abandoned. In response, she joined a club opposite to Kyle's—the Math Club, one she figured guys like him would never notice.

Then, she switched to the Chemistry Club. To Grace, it seemed like the perfect solution. Kyle could enjoy his newfound popularity, and she wouldn't have to be a burden on his life. At least, that's what she told herself.

But not everything went unnoticed. Some of the girls from Kyle's group started to pick up on his stolen glances at Grace when they were in the cafeteria. Grace never really liked the place—it was always loud and crowded. Yet, somehow, whenever she found herself there, Kyle would spot her in the crowd. Out of respect for their old friendship, Grace would smile at him.

Unfortunately, the girls in Kyle's circle weren't blind. They noticed the brief exchanges between Kyle and Grace and concluded that she must be someone important to their "male god."

For reasons only they understood, instead of befriending Grace, they saw her as a threat and decided to eliminate her from Kyle's life. It was a foolish decision, to say the least.

Naturally, they failed.

Kyle soon found out about their plan and, as if by sheer will, managed to gather enough influence to have those girls expelled from the school—without Grace ever knowing.

When Grace eventually learned what Kyle had done, she felt conflicted. She couldn't understand why he would go to such lengths. Yes, they were childhood friends. And yes, she was sad that they were growing apart. But this? It seemed like too much. Guilt crept in, as she didn't want to be the reason those girls were expelled. Yet she never asked Kyle about it. Instead, she redirected her focus to her club and her new friends.

Grace's group was solid. There was Dane, her first close guy friend since she and Kyle had drifted apart. Sandra, the wild scientist of the crew. And Kayla, the glue that held them all together. The group was chosen to participate in a research contest, and with that, Grace became even busier.

Meanwhile, Kyle was fuming. He had hoped the incident would lead to a conversation between them, but it didn't. Ever since they'd entered the university, Grace had become distant. She never came to his games, never visited him in class, and worst of all, she was impossible to find during lunch. Whenever he looked for her, she was nowhere to be seen.

Kyle had always had Grace by his side. Now, he didn't know how he'd survived these past months without her. He'd heard she made new friends in her club, and to his surprise, he felt jealous.

No, he told himself, it wasn't because he liked her. She was his best friend! But something about her avoiding him irked him more than he could explain. Kyle kept the status quo despite his confusion. He got a girlfriend, some girl that confessed to him. She was a part of his circle; Kyle knew he didn't even like her, but he can't bring himself to comprehend that he might have feelings for Grace. 

Prom rolls around and Grace was too busy with her friends and their on-going research contests and quiz bees representing the school. Kyle on the other hand, was busy with his friends preparing for prom. He had the idea to ask Grace to prom, but everyone knew he was taking his girlfriend. And so, he did. 

The day of the prom, Grace and her friends prepared to travel to the venue of the contest. Fully aware that she won't be able to see Kyle take another girl to prom, Grace was thankful for that blessing. She was ready to give anything not to see that. She wanted to move on from Kyle. She realized her feelings early, and she knew it would result to nothing. She avoided Kyle and distracted herself every day.