*swear warning*

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I loved them.

I’ve loved them for years.

Their amber eyes, their curly brown hair. I love the way they talk. Their voice is soft, and kind. And I love their imperfections.

I want to tell them I love them, but I’m scared. Scared they’ll say no.

But I can’t be scared, or else I’ll never know. If they say no, we can still be friends, right? Rejection won’t be that bad, right?

I’m telling them today.

We’re here, under a maple tree. I look at them, and they speak to me for I can find words.

“So what did’ya wanna talk about? And why here?”

“Oh well, uh…”

Shit, I’m screwed. I didn’t think this through. I’m regretting my whole life. I’m so fucked.

“You can tell me anything, you know. Is something wrong?” Asked Quinn, the one I’m head over heels for. “No, I’m fine.”

There was silence for a minute. Then I asked.

“To tell you the truth, Quinn, I… really, really, like you. You know, like like you. And I wanted to know if you.. well… liked me back.”

Quinn blinked, and then their expression softened.

“Oh… Maeve…”

I braced myself for any answer.

“I’m really sorry,” they said solemnly.

There it was.

The words I didn’t want to hear, but expected to. They didn’t have to keep talking, I know what they meant.

I’m stupid.

It hurts. Everything hurts. I don’t know if it’s physical pain or not, but it feels like it. I’m at a loss for words.

“…okay,” I choke

Maeve says no more, but steps closer and traps me in a hug.

“I’m really, really sorry. I’m sure there’s someone else for you, though. And we can still be friends, okay?”

I accept the hug, and say,

“okay. I’m sorry.” “What do you mean you’re sorry?” Quinn asked. I laugh half-heartedly. “This is kind of embarrassing, you know?”

“Kinda.”

It still hurt, but it was better now.

“I’ve gotta go now. See you tomorrow?” Quinn said.

“Okay. And one thing.” “Yeah?” “Can we pretend this never happened?” A pause, and then,

“Okay.”