Heartless (Completed)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

"Whoa! It feels amazing to swim!" My friends shouted as they jumped one by one into the flowing water beneath the falls.

I sat by the edge, dipping my feet into the icy water. It was exactly five in the morning, and the light was still dim.

"Hurry up, guys. We need to leave before sunrise, or it'll be scorching hot when we hike later." Gino said as he got out of the water, drying himself off. He glanced at me, still drying off, and I couldn't help but notice how attractive he looked. Well, Gino always looked good, not just today. He's kind, gentlemanly—any girl who catches his eye would be very lucky.

But Gino wasn't the kind of guy who would just flirt with random girls and leave them hanging. He's a man of his word. I remember him telling me once that the first girl he loves will be his last. That's why he's so careful with his decisions.

He's truly an ideal guy. Whoever wins his heart will be very fortunate.

"Finished swimming?" he asked me.

I smiled and nodded.

He sat down next to me, watching our friends still enjoying the water. The sky was slowly brightening.

"I didn't know you were in love with that Monteleone guy," he teased, grinning at me. I looked at him and smiled back, recalling how I met him and how I fell in love with him. I remember everything clearly. Though, I still wondered how Gino knew I was in love with him when I had only admitted to liking him. Are liking and loving the same thing? I don't think so.

"I didn't know either. It just hit me out of nowhere!" I laughed.

"I saw you," he said, looking at me intently. I furrowed my brow, not quite understanding what he meant. He saw me? Where? When? I gave him a questioning look.

"You and Adrian last night. It was by accident—I went to the tent to grab a beer and overheard the last part of your conversation." He added. I nodded slowly, remembering how I told Adrian last night that I was in love with Art. I can't deny that I hurt Adrian a lot. But I had to be honest. Adrian is a good guy, but I couldn't string him along just because I felt sorry for him. That would hurt him even more. I had to play it safe, so I told him the truth. Still, things might be awkward between us now.

"He was hurt, Eli. But I understand. You're in love with someone else, and I respect you for being honest with him. That's something I admire about you—your honesty," Gino said, smiling.

Silence settled between us as we listened to our friends laughing and splashing in the water. After a moment, Gino spoke again.

"He poured his heart out to us last night while we were drinking. And I'm sorry—I'm the one who pushed him to talk to you. He accepted it, Eli. He knows you're in love with someone else—Monteleone. But that doesn't mean it'll be easy for him to move on. I just hope it was worth it for him. He sacrificed his feelings for your happiness," Gino said as he stood up. I sighed deeply.

"And about being honest... Don't overdo it. It might get you into trouble one day." He left me with those words, and I didn't understand a single bit of them. What did he mean? How could being honest get me into trouble?

Still, I leaned back and thought. I'm sorry, Adrian. I know you're a good guy. You have so many great qualities. I don't even know how or why I fell for someone who doesn't even know I exist. Someone who doesn't know what compassion or love is. Meanwhile, Adrian could give me all the love in the world, but I can't reciprocate because Art is the one in my heart and mind.

Sometimes I wonder—why not Adrian? Why can't I just love him?

But I know I can't. I just don't feel that way about Adrian, and that's something I have to keep reminding myself.