EPISODE 4

Inna's recovery was slow, a frustrating process of endless tissues, lukewarm soup, and the constant feeling that her head was stuffed with cotton wool. Euan, ever the devoted friend, was a constant source of comfort and support, bringing her funny movies, reading her silly stories, and even trying (with limited success) to teach her how to play the ukulele. He was a constant presence, his warmth and humor a balm to her aching soul.

One afternoon, as Inna was attempting to sit up in bed, a wave of dizziness hit her, followed by a sudden, alarming sensation: a warm, wet trickle down her face. She reached up, her fingers coming away stained with crimson.

"Euan!" she cried, her voice a mixture of panic and embarrassment. "My nose is bleeding!"

Euan, startled by her sudden cry, rushed to her side, his eyes wide with concern. "What happened?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

Inna, her face pale and her eyes wide with fear, pointed at her nose, the blood continuing to flow. Euan, ever the resourceful one, grabbed a tissue and pressed it against her nose, gently tilting her head back.

"Just stay calm," he said, his voice soothing. "It'll stop soon."

Inna, however, was anything but calm. The sight of her own blood, the feeling of weakness and vulnerability, sent a wave of panic through her. She felt like a delicate porcelain doll, on the verge of shattering.

"I'm not feeling well," she whimpered, her voice barely a whisper. "I think I'm going to faint."

Euan, sensing her distress, held her steady, his hand gently resting on her arm. "Don't worry," he said, his eyes filled with a warmth that made her feel safe and secure. "You're not going to faint. Just breathe deeply. In and out."

Inna, taking a deep breath, tried to calm her racing heart. Euan's presence was a calming influence, a reminder that she wasn't alone in this. She felt a wave of gratitude for his kindness, his unwavering support.

"It's just a nosebleed," he said, his voice firm and reassuring. "It happens to everyone. It's nothing to worry about."

Inna, however, couldn't help but feel a sense of absurdity. Here she was, a grown teenager, freaking out over a nosebleed. It was ridiculous.

"I'm such a drama queen," she groaned, her voice laced with self-deprecation.

Euan chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You're not a drama queen," he said, his voice a low murmur. "You're just a little bit dramatic. And that's okay."

Inna smiled, a weak, watery smile that barely reached her eyes. Euan had a way of making her feel better, even when she was feeling her worst.

"You know," she said, her voice a little stronger now. "I think I'm turning into a hypochondriac."

Euan laughed, a sound that echoed through the room. "Don't worry," he said, his eyes filled with mischief. "I'll be your personal doctor. I'll take care of you."

Inna laughed, a sound that was more of a cough than a laugh, but it was a laugh nonetheless. Euan had a way of making her feel better, even when she was feeling her worst.

"You're a good doctor," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.

Euan smiled, his eyes filled with a warmth that made her heart flutter. "I'm more than just a doctor, Inna," he said, his voice soft and friendly. "I'm your friend. And I'm here for you, no matter what."

Inna felt a warmth spread through her, a feeling that was both familiar and exhilarating. She loved her friendship with Euan. He was one of the most important people in her life. And she knew that he felt the same way.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Euan, still holding a comforting hand on Inna's arm, called out, "I'll get it!"

He returned a moment later, a mischievous grin on his face. "It's Joana," he said, his voice a little hesitant. "She brought you some soup."

Inna's eyebrows shot up. Joana? What was she doing here?

"Soup?" Inna asked, her voice laced with confusion. "Why would she do that?"

Euan shrugged, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Maybe she's trying to make amends," he said, his voice a low murmur. "Or maybe she just wants to see you."

Inna hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay," she said, her voice a little shaky. "Let her in."

Joana entered, her face a mixture of concern and awkwardness. She held a steaming bowl of soup, its aroma filling the room with a comforting warmth.

"Hi, Inna," she said, her voice a little softer than usual. "I heard you weren't feeling well. I made you some soup. I hope you like it."

Inna, surprised by Joana's unexpected gesture, couldn't help but feel a pang of warmth. Maybe Joana was trying to be nice. Maybe their rivalry was finally coming to an end.

"Thank you, Joana," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "That's very kind of you."

Joana smiled, a genuine smile that reached her eyes. "It's no problem," she said, her voice a little brighter than before. "I'm glad you're feeling better."

As Joana settled into a chair beside Euan, the three of them shared a silent moment, the air filled with a sense of peace and understanding. It was a moment that felt both strange and comforting, a reminder that even the most unlikely of friendships could blossom.

Inna, watching them both, couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude. She was grateful for Euan, for his unwavering friendship. She was grateful for Joana, for her unexpected kindness. And she was grateful for the journey they were all on, a journey that was teaching her the true meaning of friendship and acceptance.

And as she took a sip of the soup, its warmth spreading through her body.

Tell Me It's Not a Dream

Chapter 10: A Misunderstanding, a Confession, and a Second Chance

Inna woke up the next morning with a pounding headache and a heart full of confusion. The events of the previous night, the unexpected kiss, the awkward silence, the feeling of betrayal, replayed in her mind like a broken record. She felt lost, angry, and hurt.

She avoided Euan for the rest of the week, her phone silent except for the occasional text from Joana, who was still trying to make amends for her drunken behavior. Inna was still reeling from the shock, not sure how to process it all.

One afternoon, as Inna sat in her room, staring blankly at her phone, she received a text from Euan.

"Hey, Inna. Can we talk? I'm at the park, by the big oak tree."

Inna hesitated. She wasn't sure she was ready to talk, but a part of her craved an explanation, a chance to understand what had happened.

She took a deep breath and replied, "Okay. I'll be there soon."

As she walked to the park, her heart pounded in her chest. She wasn't sure what to expect, what to say. She just knew she had to see him, to tell him how much she was hurting.

When she arrived at the park, Euan was sitting on a bench, his head in his hands. He looked up as she approached, a sad smile spreading across his face.

"Hey, Inna," he said, his voice a little strained. "I'm glad you came."

Inna sat down beside him, her heart aching at the sight of his sadness. She wanted to reach out and hug him, to tell him everything would be okay, but she didn't know if she could.

"Euan," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm so confused. What happened last night?"

Euan sighed, his eyes filled with regret. "I'm so sorry, Inna," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I didn't mean for any of that to happen. I was just trying to get Joana away from me, but she wouldn't listen."

Inna looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and disbelief. "But…you let her kiss you," she said, her voice a little shaky. "You didn't stop her."

Euan's face flushed with shame. "I know," he said, his voice filled with regret. "I was so caught off guard, I didn't know what to do. I should have pushed her away, but I froze. I was so embarrassed, I just…I didn't know what to say."

Inna felt a wave of sympathy wash over her. It was true, Euan was never one for confrontation. He was always the peacemaker, the one who tried to avoid conflict at all costs.

"I understand," she said, her voice softer now. "But…it still hurts. I thought we were friends. I thought you cared."

Euan reached out and took her hand, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through her entire being. "Inna," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of sadness and hope. "I do care. You're my best friend. I would never do anything to jeopardize that."

He paused, taking a deep breath. "Inna, there's something I need to tell you. I've been wanting to tell you for a while now, but I was scared. I was afraid of ruining our friendship."

Inna looked at him, her heart pounding in her chest. What was he about to say?

"I…I think I have feelings for you, Inna," he said, his voice a little shaky. "Not just as a friend. I think I…I think I love you."

Inna's mind went blank. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Euan, her best friend, the boy she had always admired, was telling her he loved her.

"Euan," she said, her voice a whisper. "I…I don't know what to say."

Euan looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and fear. "Just tell me what you feel," he said, his voice a little desperate. "Do you feel anything for me?"

Inna hesitated. She had never thought of Euan in a romantic way before. But after the events of the past few days, she couldn't deny the feelings that had been stirring inside her. She had been so focused on her friendship with him, so afraid of losing him, that she hadn't realized the depth of her feelings.

"Euan," she said, her voice a little shaky. "I…I think I might."

Euan's face lit up with a smile that could rival the sun. "Really?" he asked, his voice filled with a mixture of disbelief and joy.

Inna nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Really," she said, her voice a little stronger now. "I think I might."

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