Mess Series #1: Faded Smiles

Faded Smiles #25

Faded Smiles #25
Timothy Garcia and Aryl Torres

Aryl's POV

It's been a month since Timothy confessed his feelings towards me for the first time and every single day after that day, he regularly shows what he truly feels.

He is courting me and I don't have a plan to take him down. He is the only person who supported me and stayed by my side even though it is hard to stay. He stayed and comforted me even though it is not his duty after all.

"How about Tristan? He didn't leave your side since you and he are still young!" part of my head spoke as I shook my head as an answer.

"He is my best friend, that is why!" the other part of it answer defensively.

I came back with my senses when someone gently taps my shoulder to divert my attention.

I glanced at his direction and I saw Timothy who has a bright and wonderful smile forming on his lips that made me smile too.

His smiles are my comfort zone. His smiles made my heart to convulse at the same time feel me safe.

"Wanna join your suitor for lunch?" he arrogantly asked and wink at me.

I playfully rolled my eyes. "Can I say no to that?"

I heard his laughs and playful groan, "of course, you can't!"

I gently stood up from my chair and put my bag's lace to my shoulder. "Let's get going, then."

I heard different gossip and felt the different looks from our classmates that made me feel shy but a strong hand reach for my hand and gently pinch it saying it is okay. I glanced at our hands that were locked together and smile at him afterward.

"May I?" he asked looking at my bag that is in my shoulder.

I nodded once as he got it. He held my hand and walked silently towards the door.

"Where do you want to eat?" he asked, never mind the attention that we get.

I tried to lose his grip but he continuously held it tighter but soft. I know he still wanted to hold me tight and not let go.

"Anywhere," I casually said.

But whilst we are walking together, I saw my best friend, Tristan who's walking towards our direction. I am ready to get his attention but he remains still and walked on our site without giving me a glance.

I don't know why but I felt empty. My energy turned that low when he didn't give me the attention he's always giving me.

"Why Tristan? Is there something wrong?" I asked as I watched him walked away.

I felt a little lump on my throat when I watched him walked. He is my best friend. But why is he avoiding me, now?

My mind automatically clouded with the memory of my last talk to him, Tristan.

"Is it true? He confessed to you?" Tristan asked as he held my hand.

I looked directly in his eyes and bit my lower lip as I slightly nodded.

I saw how he creased his forehead and shook his head with disbelief in his eyes. "How come? How did that happen?" he gently asked as I heard his voice broke

"I don't know. He suddenly confessed and that's it." I gently answered while still looking at his eyes.

Why do I felt his pain?

Is he hurt?

But why?

"Do you like him?" he asked again unexpectedly but I divert my gaze to his eyes.

Do I like him?

My mind automatically clouded with his massive arms that lingers in my shoulders, his eyes that twinkle every time he sees me, his lips that landed on mine for a second, and his playful voice every time he called me his Wonderwoman.

I bit my lower lip to prevent myself from smiling but it no used. I heard Tristan sigh and I know he is hurt.

I know him too well.

He is my best friend.

"You don't need to answer it, I know it already." I can sense the pain in his voice, thus I stared at his eyes and held his hands tightly.

" I'm sorry," I said with full of sincerity buy he only smile as his answer.

I know that he felt betrayed. I just like the guy that defeated him as the school's President.

"You don't need to say sorry. I know it is not right," he calmly said as he uplifted his cheekbones and pinch my cheeks gently.

"But I am truly sorry. I know that I hurt you. And I don't want to hurt my best friend." I apologized because I know he is hurt. I know that because I'm his best friend.

"Can you just stop, Aryl! When I'm saying I'm okay, it is true. You don't need to prove that I'm just your best friend. Because it fucking hurts like hell!" he shouted with his lungs.

I was caught on guard when he stood up and walks directly at the exit point of the garden.

What does he mean by that?

Since that day, he didn't bother to talk or make fun of me that he was always doing. He didn't go to our house for free snacks. He didn't take my calls and even replies to my messages. He even makes sure that we will not cross our paths inside the campus.

It is the first time that I see him after one week.

I don't know what happen to him but all of the things that happen between us, one thing is for sure...

I already miss my best friend.

***
To be continued...

A/n: who do you think deserves Aryl more? Who's shipping her to Timothy? Or Tristan?

#TeamTimRyl or #TeamTrisRyl