Uncertainty of waves

Tara never expected a simple question to change everything. When her best friend told her a guy liked her, she played along, though she wasn't in love with him-just attracted to him in a way she didn't fully understand. One day, he called her to the handwash area and shyly confessed, "Yeah." Tara froze, feeling awkward and unsure of how to respond. She muttered aloud, "Why is this so hard?" He smiled shyly, and the moment became more uncomfortable. Tara started to avoid him, not knowing how to navigate her feelings.

However, they began texting and quickly became close, sharing endless conversations, funny reels, and late-night chats. But the relationship was confusing. Sometimes they'd talk, sometimes not. One day, he asked her out, and in a moment of indecision, Tara said yes. On their date, they held hands, hugged, and even shared a kiss, but something felt wrong. The next day, Tara broke up with him, saying, "I changed my mind." He was hurt and told her she was immature, and maybe she was. Tara didn't know what to do.

Soon after, she learned he had started smoking, which made her feel guilty, wondering if she caused it. He asked her to block him, and reluctantly, Tara did. They never spoke again. Tara often thought about him, hoping he was okay. She regretted the way it ended but knew she had learned something important. Love sometimes doesn't last, but it teaches you lessons, like the ocean's waves that crash and recede, leaving a mark on the shore.