Jayden
I walked up to the bed and laid down, my eyes fixed on the ceiling. Allison consumed my every thought. Wasn’t I madly in love with her? Her image haunted me, seared into every surface I gazed at.
I turned, and there she was on the wall. I turned again, and she was by the door. Everywhere I looked, Allison’s face stared back at me. Exasperated, I shut my eyes, but even darkness couldn’t erase her image.
“What the heck is wrong with me?” I muttered, letting out a sigh.
Just then, my phone rang, and I picked it up to see Victor’s name flashing on the screen. I guessed he was calling about the money.
I answered, placing the phone against my ear, a frown etched on my face. “What the heck do you want?”
Victor’s gravelly voice, like he’d been smoking for days, grated on my nerves. “Well, well, well… will you look at this guy who should be at my mercy instead.”
“What do you want, Victor?” I asked, cutting to the chase.
He laughed, a cold, menacing sound. “Don’t play dumb with me, Jayden. You know why I called. You owe me money.”
“Victor, I don’t think I’m going to be paying you anymore.”
The line went silent for a moment before Victor’s voice dropped to a sinister tone. “What do you mean? You want me to expose a forbidden video of yours.”
He sounded drunk, but I knew better than to underestimate him.
“We’ll talk later,” I said, trying to end the call.
But Victor held on, his voice a threat. “If you hang up, I promise you, I’ll post the video immediately. So, you’d better listen to me, Jayden.”
“What is it?” I asked gruffly.
“You are paying, Jayden,” Victor sneered. “Whether you like it or not.”
I laughed, my tone mocking. “Have a trashy day ahead, Victor.”
“You had better not end this call before I do my worst, which you would certainly regret!” he yelled. “You had better send me the money; you have until tonight, or else I will post the video tomorrow morning. Don’t think that I’m joking with”
Before Victor could even finish his statement, I ended the call.
“Motherfucker,” I muttered, tossing my phone aside.
I let out a frustrated sigh and shook my head. If he thinks his blackmail is going to work this time, he had better think again.
The thing is that I didn’t care anymore. In fact, I’ve finally gathered the courage to confront my feelings. I’m tired of hiding, tired of pretending that Allison means nothing to me. I want to scream it from the rooftops, to tell the world that I love her, no matter how forbidden it may seem.
But how can I face her now? How can I confess my feelings when I’ve been using and lying to her for so long? I couldn’t even bring myself to tell her the truth when she confessed her love for me. What’s changed now?
Ugh, my mind is a mess. Victor’s threat is just a distraction from the real issue my own cowardice. I’ve let fear hold me back for too long. It’s time to take a stand, to be honest with myself and with Allison.
But what if she doesn’t feel the same way? What if she’s moved on? What if…?
I shake my head, trying to clear the doubts. I’ll never know unless I try. And I have to try, no matter the consequences.
Then, I went to her room and knocked on the door, but there was no response. I knocked again, but still, no response. I felt upset, wondering if Allison was intentionally ignoring me.
“Allison, you aren’t ignoring me now, are you? Look, I’m sorry. Let’s talk it out,” I said, my voice muffled by the door.
But there was no response. She was truly ignoring me, and it seemed she didn’t want to talk to me anymore. Obviously. She really hates me now. You’re such an asshole, Jayden. You could lose her forever now!
I quickly turned the doorknob, and it creaked as I pushed it open. I entered, but didn’t see her there. I was about to go back to my room when I thought maybe she was downstairs instead.
And downstairs, I saw her sleeping on the couch. “Oh my goodness,” I whispered to myself, worry etched on my face. “Why is she sleeping here? What if her neck hurts?”
Concerned for her comfort, I gently scooped Allison up in my arms, cradling her like a bride. As I lifted her, Allison murmured softly, stirring from her sleep.
I carefully carried her upstairs, ensuring not to jostle her. As I reached her bedroom, I gently laid her down on the bed. But as I tried to stand up, my hand brushed against hers, and I found myself leaning in, my lips inches from Allison’s.
In a moment of surprise, my lips grazed against Allison’s, sending a spark of electricity through my body.
As soon as Allison’s eyes met mine, they widened in shock, and she let out a gasp.
But before I could process anything, she let out a loud scream, and I quickly clamped my palm over her mouth, trying to silence her. “Please,” I whispered, trying to calm her down.
Allison’s eyes blazed with anger, but she managed to speak, her voice muffled by my hand. “What are you doing right now? I thought you said you wanted everything between us to end… and now this?”
I removed my hand, and Allison’s voice rose, her words tumbling out in a rush. “Stop confusing me, Jayden!”
Letting out a frustrated sigh, I tried to explain. “Look, the thing was… I just saw you sleeping downstairs on the couch, and I thought it would be very… uncomfortable for you, so I decided to take you upstairs. I didn’t do anything to you, I promise.”
She shook her head, her eyes still flashing with anger. “You can leave. Thank you.”
With that, I straightened up and headed out, but when I opened the door, I stopped and turned towards her. “Allison?” I called.
“What?” She asked, her eyes narrowing.
“Can you wait for me until the right time?” I asked, my voice softer and warmer than intended. “I’m trying to make things right, and I promise that I will come back. I will come to you, in fact, I will come running to you.”
Allison’s eyes didn’t blink, and she sat up on the bed, her gaze fixed intently on mine. “What does that mean, Jayden? What are you trying to say exactly?”
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. “I think I’m actually falling in love with you.”
“Jayden… You…” her whispering voice drifted off.
But I cut her off, my words pouring out in a rush. “I don’t care anymore. I don’t care if we’re not supposed to be together, or if our parents or anyone else disapproves. All I know is that I want to be with you. Just wait for me until everything settles down, and I’ll take care of everything.”
Allison nodded her head slowly, a small smile playing on her lips.
I gave her a gentle smile back, my eyes locking onto hers before I turned to leave.