For a long time, Elaine had admired Jared from afar. He was everything she dreamed of-athletic, charming, and effortlessly popular. As a star on the basketball team, he was the talk of Harmony High, but even so, the admiration around him never reached the point of obsession. The students respected him, sure, but they weren't as smothering as Elaine was. She, on the other hand, couldn't control her feelings. Every glance he threw her way sent her heart racing. Every compliment, every smile, was like fuel to the fire of her unspoken love.
At first, Jared seemed flattered by her attention. She'd blush every time he noticed her, and she'd try to find ways to be near him-cheering louder at basketball games, joining clubs just so she could share the same space as him. For a while, it felt like the beginning of something. But then, as the weeks passed, Elaine began to notice something different. His glances became colder, and the casual greetings she'd once received turned into awkward silences.
For a while, Jared didn't seem to notice. In fact, he was probably relieved. But then, just as Elaine started to move on, he noticed a shift. She was no longer the girl who followed him everywhere, the girl who wore her heart on her sleeve. She had found something else, something he couldn't understand. He saw her with the new guy-the choir leader. And there was a spark in her eyes that he hadn't seen in a long time.
Suddenly, Jared was hit with a rush of emotions-anger, jealousy, but also something deeper, something like regret. Why hadn't he seen it before? Why had he let her slip away? All this time, she had been right there, loving him, but he hadn't bothered to learn about her. He knew everything about her through her actions, but what did he really know about her heart, her thoughts, her life?
"Daniel asked me to be his girlfriend," she spoke softly.
The color rushed out of my face hearing the few words making my mouth grow dry. I tried to conceal the growing tears erupting from my orbs knowing I was hurt. I knew he would pick her over me. I knew that she was better for him. I knew that I had to step aside because as much as I wanted it, I would never take away her happiness.
"Oh," I stiffly said.
"Yeah, I hope you don't mind, but he asked me go on a date," she spilled trying to sense feelings.
Her obliviousness was astounding. A sharp strand was hung behind my ear placing it there as I bit my lip not knowing the words to say.
"That's great," I almost weeped.
"I'm sorry. I know how much he meant to you. Things just kind of clicked, you know?" she pleaded with guilt.
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure both of you are happy together," I smile clutching my fists.
She threw me a pity smile believing every word before walking back towards Daniel soon leaving in their car. I looked down in hesitation on the news that has sparked in my mind. Tears feel like waterfalls as I quickly shut the door before they could see me. Just as I thought I was unseen, Daniel's glance had something; pain.
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They were so different. One was living his dream preforming in sold out concerts while the other was scurrying through her last couple months of high school. Maybe it was fate that brought them together - or maybe it was destiny, but obstacles built strong allow their relationship to become unstable. Besides, she could never do that to her best friend.
In which a girl afraid of love decides to put her happiness aside so that her best friend and beloved crush could be together.
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*in editing process*
The sequel is out now! "Falling Around You" ↠ Daniel Seavey
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[#1 in Daniel 12/29/18]