Justin's dilemma continued as the semester went on. Seeing Emily's bright smile every day…he couldn't afford to lose that. Not after how far he had come to even experience it up close. But he hated lying to her.
The secrets he kept were piling up so far that he could hardly bear the weight. All of this was the result of his own stupidity. His brain played the 'if only' game a lot more frequently now.
If only he had said hi to her as she exited Spanish class the first day of high school when she still had a vague idea of who he was. If only he had added her on Friendbook and became her pillar of support during her parents' divorce using his own name. If only he had been less passive about everything. If only he had kept his mouth shut when she asked who he liked.
If only, if only, if only. It was driving him insane.
