Part Eighteen: Confession and Confrontation
The next day at school, the air was thick with tension. Anna Rosé walked through the corridor, still thinking about last night with Ethan. Her heart was racing, the memory of his touch and words lingering like fire.
Nick appeared suddenly, blocking her path. His eyes were dark, filled with anger and hurt. "Anna… we need to talk. Now."
Anna took a deep breath. "Nick… please, not here. People are watching."
Nick stepped closer, his voice low and intense. "I don't care who's watching. You need to understand something—I can't stay silent anymore. Seeing you with Ethan… it's killing me."
Anna's heart skipped. "Nick… it was just a kiss. Ethan… he's not playing games anymore."
Nick's jaw tightened. "That's not the point! You're falling for him, and I can't just stand aside. I love you, Anna. I've loved you for so long, quietly, and I can't hide it anymore. Seeing him touch you, kiss you—it hurts more than I can bear."
Anna looked into his eyes, feeling the raw emotion, the desperation. Her chest ached as she realized how much Nick truly cared.
Ethan, standing a few meters away, had followed them discreetly. He watched the scene unfold, a knot tightening in his stomach. I can't compete with this intensity… but I love her. I can't hide it anymore.
Nick reached out, gently taking Anna's hand. "I don't want to fight Ethan. I just… I need you to know how I feel. Please, Anna… choose carefully. Don't let him trap your heart, or anyone's, for that matter."
Anna's eyes welled up, torn between the protective, intense love of Nick and the playful, thrilling romance of Ethan. She didn't know what to say, how to respond, or who her heart truly belonged to.
Ethan finally stepped forward, his usual confident smirk replaced by something vulnerable. "Anna… I care about you. I really do. I'm not just teasing anymore. I want you—truly. And I'll wait, but I can't hide my feelings anymore."
The corridor was silent, the weight of emotions hanging in the air. Anna felt her heart pull in two directions—Nick's steady, protective love and Ethan's fiery, passionate desire.
She knew that soon, a choice would have to be made. And that choice would decide not just her heart, but the lives and emotions of both boys who loved her so fiercely.