Dreaming of YOU

Chapter 8: Facing the Truth

Yvo spent the day trying to gather his thoughts, but the weight of last night's events lingered like a shadow. He felt like he was standing at a crossroads, and it was time to take the first step down one of those paths.

After lunch, he decided to call Maya. His heart raced as he dialed her number, uncertainty swirling in his stomach. The phone rang a few times before she picked up.

"Hey, Yvo," Maya's voice sounded distant but warm.

"Hey, Maya. Can we talk?" he asked, trying to keep his tone steady.

"Sure. Is everything okay?"

"Not really, but I need to figure some things out. Can we meet up?"

"Of course. Where?"

"Let's meet at that café by school in an hour?"

"Sounds good. I'll see you there."

As he hung up, Yvo felt a mix of relief and anxiety. He had taken the first step, but now he had to face Maya and be honest about his feelings. He hoped she would understand.

When he arrived at the café, the familiar scent of coffee and pastries greeted him, but it did little to calm his nerves. He spotted Maya sitting at a corner table, her fingers wrapped around a steaming cup. She looked up as he approached, and her smile was warm yet cautious.

"Hey," she said, gesturing for him to sit down.

"Hey," he replied, settling into the chair opposite her. "Thanks for meeting me."

"Of course. What's going on? You sounded serious."

Yvo took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. "I've been doing a lot of thinking since prom, and I... I want to be honest with you."

Maya nodded, her expression attentive. "I'm listening."

"I've liked you for a long time, Maya," he said, the words tumbling out before he could second-guess himself. "But last night was confusing. I danced with Elara, and I realized I'm also drawn to her. I don't want to hurt you."

Maya's eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, silence hung between them. "I appreciate your honesty, Yvo. It means a lot. But it also hurts to hear that."

"I didn't mean to hurt you," he said, his voice softening. "You're amazing, and I care about you. But I can't pretend that my feelings for Elara don't exist."

Maya looked down, tracing her finger along the rim of her cup. "So, you're saying you want to explore things with her?"

Yvo nodded, feeling the weight of his decision. "I think I need to see where things go with both of you. But I want you to know that you matter to me. I never meant for this to become complicated."

She sighed, her expression a mix of hurt and understanding. "I get it, Yvo. We're at that age where everything feels complicated. Just know that I'll support you, no matter what. But I hope you'll be honest with me and yourself as you figure things out."

"Thank you, Maya," he said, relief flooding through him. "I promise I will."

After a brief silence, Maya smiled faintly. "So, what's next? You going to confess your feelings to Elara?"

"I think I need to," he admitted. "I can't keep running away from it. But I'm also scared."

"Scared of what?" Maya asked gently.

"Of making the wrong choice. Of losing you as a friend, no matter what happens."

"You won't lose me," she reassured him. "Just remember that honesty goes both ways. Don't play games with anyone's heart."

Yvo nodded, feeling a newfound sense of clarity. "I will. I promise."

After they finished their drinks, Yvo felt lighter. He had faced his fears with Maya, and now it was time to confront his feelings for Elara. As they walked out of the café together, Yvo couldn't shake the feeling that the next conversation would be just as important.

Later that day, Yvo found himself standing outside Elara's house, his heart pounding in his chest. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door, uncertainty swirling inside him. After a moment, Elara's mother opened the door, her smile warm and welcoming.

"Hi, Yvo! Elara's upstairs. I'll call her down for you," she said, stepping aside.

"Thanks, Mrs. Ramirez," he replied, feeling slightly more at ease.

When Elara appeared moments later, her expression brightened. "Yvo! What a surprise! I didn't expect to see you today."

"Hey, Elara. Do you have a minute to talk?" he asked, his nerves creeping back.

"Of course! Come on in," she said, leading him to her cozy living room filled with soft cushions and bright decor.

Once they settled on the couch, Yvo felt a rush of apprehension. This was it—time to lay everything out on the table. "So, I wanted to talk about last night."

Elara looked at him expectantly, her curiosity evident. "What's on your mind?"

"After dancing with you, I realized how much I enjoy being around you. You make me feel... different, in a good way." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "But I also need to be honest. I've been dreaming about another girl, and I'm not sure how that fits into everything."

Elara's expression shifted to one of understanding. "Are you talking about Maya?"

Yvo nodded, feeling vulnerable. "Yeah. I didn't mean to hurt either of you, but I can't ignore my feelings."

Elara's gaze softened, and she took a deep breath. "Yvo, it's okay. I appreciate your honesty. It's confusing, but I want you to be happy, even if that means exploring things with her."

He felt a wave of relief wash over him, but a pang of regret followed. "But I don't want to lose what we have either."

"Let's just see where things go, okay? No pressure," Elara said gently, her smile reassuring. "We're young. We have time to figure this out."

As Yvo left her house, a mix of hope and uncertainty filled him. He had opened up to both girls, and while the path ahead was unclear, he felt a sense of empowerment. It was time to navigate the complexities of his heart, one step at a time.