Shadow of Love (Barry Allen Fan Fiction)

Chapter 1: Running in Circles

We're sitting in Jitters, I drink my coffee tranquilly and observe Barry. All he does is stare at Iris. He lingers on her and his eyes follow wherever she goes. He hasn't drunk much of his coffee. "You're so obvious," my words break the silence and I take another sip of my cup. "Am I?" he makes a gesture, and he pretends to be surprised. "There are people who are good at hiding their feelings, and you are not one of those people," I raise my eyebrows at him and he simply shrugs in defeat. "Everyone seems to notice except her," Iris interrupts our conversation and appears suddenly. "How are you guys doing?" She glances a smile at us, I turn to look at Barry and it's as if he's a man who's just seen the sun for the first time. "Um, we're good, thanks," his voice is shaky and he gulps after responding. Iris leaves and I give Barry a look. "Why don't you just tell her already? What's keeping you from it?" I inquire. "I don't know. Maybe the fact that she's already seeing someone else?" He looks at me and answers sarcastically before turning away. "I'm so sorry, I-I didn't know," I look at the table, unable to understand how I hadn't noticed or why he hadn't mentioned it before. "She's dating Eddie," Barry nods and drinks some coffee. "What Eddie?" It can't be the guy who works with her dad, but he's the only one that comes to mind so I ask. "Eddie Thawne, he works with Joe," I open my mouth, unable to verbalize anything. "Are you joking? He's so much older than her. How did that happen?" Barry bites his lip and continues to gaze at Iris. "One day she just showed up in my office holding hands with him," he takes a deep breath and runs a hand through his hair. "That sucks, but I'm sure she'll get around," I look at my clock and quickly leave the coffee shop. "I have less than five minutes to get to work on time if I don't want to be fired," I run out the door. "See you around Barry!" I go back and wave at him through the glass window.

I jump into a cab as fast as I can. "God..." I whisper to myself as I slowly close my eyes. It's sad to know that one day you just look at a person and realize you've fallen profoundly in love with them, but they're loosing their head for someone else, and it breaks your heart how they're not corresponded, because you wish so badly to be able to take their pain away and love them the way they deserve. My thoughts are interrupted by the cab parking. I run out and merely make it on time to the office. I slip into my chair and when by the time the boss comes around I'm already typing away. "Goodmorning Mr. Mayall," I smile at him and wave from the inside of my cubicle. The day passes by slowly and I can't concentrate. Barry is the only thing on my mind. "How did I end like this over that nerd? I don't understand what he says half the time," I question myself out loud. It doesn't matter that he's a nerd, that he uses terms I don't comprehend, because along the way, something about him completely consumed me. Maybe all it took was his smile, or maybe it was his goodhearted personality. Whatever it was, it worked. I look at the time and shake my head. It's 2:45 P.M. and work ends in 15 minutes. I hurry up and type as fast as I can. My phone suddenly buzzes. "I just left a crime scene two blocks from your building. Do you want me to give you a lift?" Barry's message brightens my day and I smile. All of a sudden, 15 minutes are the equivalent of an eternity.

By the time I'm out, he's waiting nearby in his car. I enter and sit in the passenger seat. I'm greeted with his smile and a cup of coffee. "I thought I'd stop by at Jitters and get you that coffee you couldn't finish in the morning," I only smile in response and give him a warm hug.

We get to my place and that little sting I feel every time I have to say goodbye to him comes to me. "Do you want to stay a while?" I ask him dubiously before exiting the car. "Oh, I'm sorry. I got some paperwork to finish. I'll try to come over during the weekend," He apologizes kindly and although it angers me knowing I'm not more important than a couple of sheets of unfinished work, I can't object. Afterall, he's just my friend, he has no obligation with me, and he probably never will have. "Sure, I just remembered I have to finish some stuff too," I try to act the opposite of how I really feel and walk away.

As soon as I get inside my house, I throw myself onto the couch. I never imagined my failed romantic life would be more stressful than work and paying the bills, but it is. Nevertheless, there's not much to do about it. Being in love with Barry Allen will always be like running in circles. You never really get anywhere, and you always end up the same place where you started. In my case, that would be as a friend.