The semester was in full swing, and Eloise and I had fallen into a comfortable routine of classes, study sessions, and weekend adventures. Angelo and I had grown even closer, and our relationship was a bright spot in my busy schedule. However, the calm was disrupted when Eloise met someone new.
It was a Thursday afternoon when Eloise burst into our dorm room, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Isa, you won't believe it! I met the most amazing guy!"
I looked up from my biology textbook, curiosity piqued. "Really? What's his name?"
"Marcus," she said, plopping down on her bed. "He's in my psychology class. We just clicked instantly."
I smiled, happy for her. "That's great, Eloise. When are you seeing him again?"
"Tonight! We're going to that new coffee shop downtown," she said, her enthusiasm contagious. "I'll tell you all about it when I get back."
That evening, while Eloise was out on her date, Angelo came over. We spent a quiet evening studying together, but my mind kept wandering to Eloise. I hoped Marcus was as great as she thought he was.
Eloise returned later that night, practically glowing. "Isa, he was amazing! We talked for hours about everything – psychology, music, even our favorite movies. He's so smart and funny."
I nodded, pleased to see her so happy. "I'm glad it went well. When do I get to meet him?"
"Soon, I promise," she said, flopping onto her bed with a dreamy sigh.
Over the next few weeks, Eloise and Marcus grew closer. She spent more time with him, and though I was happy for her, I couldn't shake a growing unease. Whenever I saw Marcus around campus, something about him rubbed me the wrong way. He had a charming smile, but his eyes seemed cold and calculating.
The first time I met Marcus properly was at a small get-together Eloise organized. Angelo and I arrived early to help set up. When Marcus walked in, I tried to be open-minded.
"Hi, Marcus. Nice to finally meet you," I said, extending a hand.
He shook it, his grip firm. "Likewise, Isa. Eloise has told me a lot about you."
We made small talk, but something about his demeanor felt off. He was polite enough, but there was an underlying arrogance in his words that made me uncomfortable. Angelo noticed my unease and squeezed my hand reassuringly.
After Marcus left, I couldn't hide my feelings any longer. "I don't know, Eloise. There's just something about him that feels... off."
Eloise frowned, her expression defensive. "You're just being protective, Isa. Marcus is great. Give him a chance."
I nodded reluctantly, not wanting to cause a rift. "I'll try. I just want you to be happy."
As the weeks passed, my unease grew. Marcus often made subtle, snide comments about people, including Angelo. Angelo, in turn, started pointing out flaws in Eloise's relationship, trying to sow seeds of doubt in my mind.
"I just don't trust him, Isa," Angelo said one evening as we walked back from class. "He's always looking for ways to undermine people."
I sighed, feeling torn. "I know, but Eloise really likes him. I don't want to ruin things for her."
"You need to look out for yourself too," Angelo insisted. "And for our relationship. Don't let Marcus drive a wedge between you and Eloise."
The tension came to a head one Friday night. Eloise and I had planned a movie night, but Marcus showed up unexpectedly, whisking her away. I felt hurt and abandoned.
Later, when Eloise returned, I confronted her. "Eloise, we had plans. You can't just ditch me every time Marcus shows up."
She looked defensive. "Isa, he's my boyfriend. I want to spend time with him."
"And what about us? Our friendship?" I demanded, my voice rising.
"It's not like that," she said, but I could see the hurt in her eyes. "Why can't you just be happy for me?"
"I am happy for you, but I don't trust him," I admitted, the words spilling out. "He's manipulative and rude."
Eloise's face hardened. "You're just jealous because you don't like anyone taking my attention away from you."
"That's not fair, and you know it," I shot back, my frustration boiling over.
We stood there in silence, the tension thick between us. Finally, Eloise grabbed her jacket and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
The next few days were strained. We avoided each other, the silence between us growing louder. Angelo seemed almost satisfied, as if he'd been expecting this.
"You did the right thing, Isa," he said, trying to comfort me. "She'll see what he's really like eventually."
But I couldn't shake the guilt and sadness that hung over me. I missed my best friend.
One evening, Eloise and I found ourselves alone in our dorm, the silence unbearable. Finally, she broke it.
"Isa, I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean it."
I looked at her, feeling a lump in my throat. "I'm sorry too. I just... I don't want to see you get hurt."
She sighed, sitting down beside me. "I know Marcus can be a bit... much. But I care about him. Can't you at least try to get along?"
I nodded, tears welling up. "I'll try, Eloise. For you."
We hugged, the rift between us beginning to heal. But I couldn't shake the feeling that things would never quite be the same. Angelo's words echoed in my mind, and I knew that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, both for my friendship with Eloise and my relationship with Angelo.
As I lay in bed that night, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread about the future. The dynamics had shifted, and I wasn't sure how we would navigate the twists and turns that lay ahead. But for now, I was determined to hold on to the people I cared about, even if it meant facing some uncomfortable truths.