I tried my best to make him let go of my hands, but all my efforts were in vain. His grip wasn't painful, just firm enough to stop me from walking away.
"I'm sorry… if I did anything to make you angry," he said, his deep masculine voice sending an unexpected shiver down my spine.
My heart began to race uncontrollably.
"I-it's okay… it's alright," I stammered quickly, avoiding his eyes.
Before he could say anything else, I pulled away and rushed off, my chest tightening with every step. I didn't stop until I reached the girls' restroom. I pushed the door open and stumbled inside, gripping the sink as I tried to steady my breathing.
What is wrong with me?
Just as I lifted my head, I saw Emily walking out. She paused the moment she saw me, her expression shifting into something serious.
"You need to stop telling people about your relationship," she said bluntly.
I frowned, confused. "What?"
"You heard me," she continued. "Keep it a secret. Not everything needs to be out there."
I didn't understand why she was saying that, and honestly, I didn't want to. Without replying, I turned on the tap and splashed cold water on my face, trying to calm the storm inside me.
For the past few days, something had been changing.
I had started developing feelings for Jack.
At first, if anyone asked me about it, I would immediately deny it. I would laugh it off and say there was no way I could ever feel that way about him.
But I was lying.
I was lying to them.
And I was lying to myself.
Until one day, I finally said it out loud.
I told Debbie… and some of our friends.
"I think… I've fallen for Jack."
I expected teasing. Maybe even excitement.
But instead, silence filled the air.
And then—
"You need to break up with Dylan."
The words hit me like a slap.
"What?" I whispered, my heart dropping.
"You heard us," Debbie said, her tone serious. "This isn't fair to him."
I shook my head immediately. "No… no, I can't just—"
"You already like someone else," another voice cut in. "That's not right."
What hurt the most…
Was Emily agreeing.
"You should break up with Dylan," she said.
I felt my chest tighten painfully. I couldn't breathe.
Without saying another word, I turned and walked away as fast as I could, my vision blurring with tears. I rushed back into the girls' restroom, locking myself inside as the tears finally broke free.
I cried and cried until my eyes turned red, my head aching from everything.
Why is this happening?
I never meant for any of this to happen.
Dylan didn't deserve this.
But… neither did I deserve to feel this confused.
After what felt like forever, I forced myself to leave. My legs felt weak as I stepped out, wiping my face quickly.
That was when I saw her.
My namesake.
She stopped immediately when she saw me, her eyes filled with concern.
"Hey… what happened to you?" she asked softly.
"It's nothing," I said quickly, trying to walk past her.
But she gently held my arm, stopping me.
"It's not nothing," she said. "Talk to me."
And just like that…
I broke.
"I don't understand anything anymore," I cried. "Everyone is telling me to break up with Dylan… but I didn't plan for this to happen!"
She frowned slightly. "Plan what?"
I hesitated, but the truth came out anyway.
"I think… I'm starting to like Jack."
Saying it out loud made everything feel real.
Too real.
"And Dylan?" she asked quietly.
I swallowed hard. "I care about him… I really do. But it doesn't feel the same anymore. I don't know what to do."
She sighed softly and pulled me into a comforting hug.
"You don't fall for someone else if your heart is still fully with the person you're with," she said gently. "Maybe your friends aren't trying to hurt you… maybe they're just seeing the truth before you're ready to accept it."
Her words hit deep.
I stood there in silence, my mind replaying everything—
Jack's voice.
The way my heart races around him.
And Dylan… who has done nothing wrong.
"I don't want to hurt him," I whispered.
"Then don't lie to him," she replied softly. "That's what hurts the most."
I nodded slowly, even though fear still gripped me.
Because I knew she was right.
And as I walked away, one thought kept echoing in my mind—
Soon…
I would have to choose.
And no matter what I decided…
Someone's heart would break.