The Third Person

I hurriedly went down to my lawn. When I walked nearer to him I noticed that he was tired. He may be smiling at me but I am sure that he is exhausted.

"Hey it's chilling out here" I rubbed my palms together.

"Oh. Why don't we get inside the car? We can adjust the temperature there. That is if you don't mind"

"Ya sure. Let's hop in"

" I am sorry to disturb you at this late hour"

" No, it's okay. It's way early than my bedtime"

We got into the car. Ron adjusted the temperature inside the car.

"I was just driving to cool off my mind and on my way, I saw the lights were on in one of the bedrooms of your house. So I just gave you a call. I wanted to talk to you"

It's different. The way he is talking. Maybe I am just assuming.

"You know you can call me if you want to talk. I am a good listener." I smiled looking at him

"I know. It's just, lots of things happened today. I want this day to end in a way that tomorrow when I woke up I don't want any regrets."

He held the steering with his hands tightly and bowed down his head.

"I don't know if I have the right to ask this but what exactly happened between you and Betty?"

He looked at me by raising his head then laid back in his seat and sighed.

" We were quite alike so I got comfortable with her. I thought we were in love. But I was wrong. We were that same poles of magnets that were meant to repel sooner or later."

"But you told me that you were happy with her"

He turned his head to my side.

"I was. It was like I got someone like me. We think alike. We had the same interests. I thought that was love until I recognised being in love is more than that. It's a mix of emotions that I never experienced with Betty but with..." He suddenly stopped. His eyes were intense. I felt something different in the way he was looking at me and for the first time since we met I was feeling uneasy. He sat upright and turned towards me in his seat.

"I know it's sudden. Trust me when I say this. It struck me like lightning. But I think I should tell you this as soon as possible. Melanie... I am in love with you."

They were right. Leya and Jake were right about me. They saw what I couldn't. In Betty's and Ron's relationship, I was the third person and I was not even aware of that.

I was just stuck. I couldn't talk anything. I was just blinking. I think I almost forgot to breathe.

"Mel, I know you must be confused. I just wanted to be honest with you. I can't hide what I am feeling for you anymore. Today what happened in the morning made me realise that. I am not asking you to give me an answer or anything. I just wanted things to be clear between us."

"I...I never thought about you like that."

"I don't want to push you to think differently about me all of a sudden. Just take your time and think about it."

He confessed to me. He did his part. But I can't let him live in the false expectation that one day I will accept him. I can't do that. I know it's hard to face rejection on the same day you broke up. But I can't lead him on.

"Ron...You are my friend. I feel comfortable with you. But that's it. There's nothing more and I don't want anything more between us. I know it must be hard for you, after all, that's happening today but, I want you to be happy and I am sure that you won't be happy with me."

I can see the transition of his face from expectation to dejection. But I have to be honest about this. I don't want him to suffer. He is a great guy. I want him to have all the happiness that he deserves.

He just sat there in silence looking at me. I can't face his sad eyes anymore. I turned my head to look at the front. My brother was walking toward our home. This is the best time to end our conversation.

" Mike's home. I think I should get back now."

I couldn't say anymore. I couldn't even look at his face while saying that.

"Hmm"

That's it from him and I knew our friendship is going to change into something awkward from now on. I got out of the car. Mike stopped when he saw me and he looked into the car and then back at me. I smiled and nodded. He continued to walk into our house. I followed him without looking back. I don't have enough courage to meet his eyes. I was afraid... I was afraid to be in love.

Hey guys. I hope all of you are doing well. This is my first novel so I hope you guys will give me your reviews on the story. Thanks for reading. Here is a question for you all

Have you ever been afraid to fall in love? If yes, why? 

If no, what is your advice for Melanie?

Share your thoughts.

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