Kelly's POV
I was on my way to get a haircut before going to guitar class when my phone buzzed.
It was Max.
"Heyy Kelly."
Without wasting even a second, I replied,
"Ohh heyyy."
"The weather's so good… I feel like I should go on a date."
A date?
With whom?
Kate?
I forced myself to reply casually,
"Ohuuu boyyy, go enjoy."
"Well yeah, I will enjoy. I'm planning to go to a hotel with her and then on a date."
My heart sank.
Why was he even telling me this when he already knew I had feelings for him?
And hotel?
Seriously?
I stared at the screen for a few seconds before replying,
"Well… her?"
"Yeahhh, her. The girl I'm talking with right now."
Wait.
Me?
So now he was talking about me?
Again?
There he goes… playing with my feelings like it was some kind of game.
I quickly replied,
"Don't forget you already have a girlfriend."
"Well… I don't really have a girlfriend. I mean, she is… but also she's not my girlfriend."
"Well, you never really cleared things, so of course she's your girlfriend."
"Umm maybe she is… well never mind. I was just joking about the dating thing. Don't take it seriously."
Of course.
That's what he always did.
He would flirt out of nowhere… say things that made my heart race…
And then suddenly pull away and tell me not to take it seriously.
It felt like he was confusing me on purpose.
Like throwing a fish into water just enough for it to breathe…
Then pulling it out before it could survive.
Not letting it live peacefully.
Not letting it die peacefully either.
I locked my phone and walked into the salon.
A few minutes later, I got bangs.
And honestly?
They looked cute.
For the first time in days, I looked at myself and smiled a little.
After that, I went to guitar class.
My teacher complimented my haircut, and somehow that small compliment made me feel lighter.
And the music…
It brought peace to my heart.
For a little while, I could actually forget about him.
At least a little.
Max's POV
Kelly doesn't seem that affected by me rejecting her.
Maybe she never really liked me that much.
And honestly?
That's probably better.
Because I love Kate.
She's the only girl I feel like I could truly love.
But she keeps hurting me.
Breaking me.
And the worst part?
She never even tried to heal the damage she caused.
Not once.
And Kelly?
To be honest…
She became my backup plan.
Someone who could comfort me after Kate.
Someone who could stay beside me.
Love me.
Heal me.
But what if she never really developed feelings for me?
Then…
I'd have no one.
I was lost in my thoughts when my phone suddenly rang.
[Let's play.]
It was Katie.
My female best friend.
Another person I thought would stay.
I never confessed to her or anything…
But somewhere deep down, I still hoped she'd support me when I needed someone.
Maybe that was selfish.
Or maybe…
I was just scared of ending up alone.
To be continue...