First Love

<6> Agony

"I like you, Toni" Steven confessed as he stared right at Toni's eyes.

Toni looked back at Steven, eyes widen in shock. "Y-you what?.." she asked, too shocked to even believe what Steven said. "I like you.." Steven repeated.

Toni shook her head and awkwardly laughed. "A-as a friend, right? HAHA! I like you as a friend too, Steven!" she responded, starting to panic.

Steven looked down and sighed. "No, Toni. I like you, not as a friend but as a woman." he sternly replied.

The reply only made Toni panic even more. Her breaths started to cut short and she felt herself palpitating.

Steven noticed this and started to worry. "H-hey, Toni. Are you alright? I didn't mean to shock you" he softly muttered and took a step toward Toni.

She looked at Steven, eyes about to be filled with tears, and took a step back every time Steven would approach her.

"Please, don't come near me.."

It made Steven stop and looked at Toni. He was taken aback and worried at the same time. 'Did he make the wrong decision?' Steven asked himself as he saw Toni's reactions to his confession.

"I'm sorry, Steven... Please give me some time and space for a while..." Toni whispered but was loud enough for Steven to hear.

With that, Toni ran home, tears streaming down her face leaving Steven feeling devastated as he stared at the ground.

~~~~

The next few days after the confession, things between Toni and Steven were getting awkward as time would pass by.

Sometimes, Toni would even make up excuses like studying, or she was asked to run some errands or was asked to take care of her siblings while their parents were away.

Of course, every one of them knew that Toni was just making up excuses.

After the confession, Steven told them what happened. They too were shocked by what they've heard.

None of them expected it from coming.

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Alex's POV

A few more days passed by and I had enough with the awkward and uncomfortable atmosphere surrounding us.

It was sort of suffocating.

"That's it! I'll go talk to Toni so that this would end." I exclaimed as I stood up and slammed my palms on the table which startled the guys.

'Oops.. hehe. Sorry not sorry'

"I'll get going. See you guys tomorrow. Have a safe walk home" I said as I packed my stuff and left our table to search for Toni, my beloved best friend.

><><><

"There you are" I whispered to myself as I saw Toni sitting on the swing at the park where we used to play together as kids.

It was also the place where we met and became best friends.

I slowly approached her and quietly sat on the other swing beside her. "Hey" I softly greeted her because I didn't want to startle her.

She looked at me and smiled. It was the smile that I hated the most.

Seeing her sad smile, makes me sad too. I didn't want to see her smile at me like that.

"Don't look at me like that" I stated and stood up to hug her.

 As I hug her, she started whimpering, and soon enough, she started sobbing quietly.

I just stood there and hugged her without saying a word.

After a while, she finally calmed down and let go of the hug. "Oh no, I got your shirt wet" she apologized as she sniffed. "What a big baby" I just stated with a chuckle and sat down on the swing again.

A few minutes of silence took over us. The silence wasn't really awkward yet it was a comforting silence.

"So, can you tell me what happened?" I asked her as I felt that she calmed down from crying. "Didn't he tell you guys?" she started softly. I nodded and looked at her. "He did but, I want to know your side of the story."

After saying that, she took a deep breath and told me her reasons.

I was surprised but, I understood her. 

At least now, I'm sure and aware of why she's acting this way. 

Next Day 

"So, have you talked to her yet?" Josh asked as soon as I settled down on our table with them. 

Toni told me that she still wouldn't be able to join us and I just agreed to it. But now, I'm being bombarded with questions from these guys. 

"Yeah, I did yesterday after school." I replied and took a bite of my sandwich. "What did she say?" Vince then asked next. 

'I really can't with these guys sometimes...' I thought, mentally sighed and facepalmed. 

I just continued my meal, pretending not to hear their questions. I don't want to tell them unless Toni takes the initiative to tell them or allows me. But, as long as she doesn't say anything to them, I won't talk. 

As Vince and Josh were throwing endless questions, forcing me to answer, I noticed Steven quietly eating his meal. 

I've noticed him being like this too. Quiet, looking so downhearted. 

I feel bad for both of them.

"Sorry guys but I ain't answering any questions today. I hope you all understand..." I said and drank my water to shut them up. It unexpectedly worked though 'cause both of them just sighed and settled down on their seats, looking as if they failed on doing something.

Steven's POV

Maybe it was a bad idea to confess...

Maybe I confused her too much to the point that she doesn't know what to do?...

Did I shocked her too much??

Did I do something wrong??

If I didn't confess, would things be the same as it already was?

These were my everyday thoughts after the confession happened.

I just couldn't forget how she looked that day.

She looked hurt and terrified...

"Sorry, bro. We couldn't get Alex to say anything or even give us hints" Vince apologized as we were walking.

Alex wasn't with us since she told us she'd be accompanying Toni.

"You guys didn't have to do that you know" I replied with a small chuckle as I looked at the floor.

"You've tried approaching her, right?" Josh asked. "Yeah, I did. But, she was uncomfortable so I gave up on even trying... I think I hurt her" I muttered. I just heard them sigh which made me do the same.

Maybe I should just give up...

I don't want to see her looking terrified because of me...

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