The darkness enveloped me, a suffocating shroud that refused to lift. Sleep, that elusive creature, taunted me, always just out of reach. My mind, a restless beast, refused to quiet, its thoughts racing with the events of the past 24 hours.
Anni's wedding.
Clyde's vows.
The memory of their love-filled gazes.
I tossed and turned, my sheets tangled around my legs like a prison. The clock on my nightstand mocked me, its glowing numbers a reminder of the hours ticking by.
Desperation clawed at my chest, and I reached for my phone, seeking solace in the one person who could understand me. Anni.
My fingers trembled as I dialed her number, the ringing tone echoing through the silence.
"Hey, sis," Anni's voice whispered, husky and distant.
My voice caught in my throat, trapped by emotions I couldn't express.
"Dahlia?" Anni's voice grew louder, more concerned.
And then I heard it.
Soft moans.
Cries of pleasure.
My heart sank, and I felt like I'd been punched in the gut.
I dropped the phone, my hand shaking.
The reality hit me like a ton of bricks.
They're married.
They're meant to do such things.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I let out a sob, the sound torn from my very soul.
I stumbled out of bed, seeking refuge in the shower. The warm water cascaded down my skin, washing away the tension.
But as I stepped out, something caught my eye.
A book on the nightstand.
My old diary.
A smile spread across my face, a bittersweet reminder of happier times.
I opened the diary, and my eyes landed on the first entry.
September 1st, Freshman Year
The memories came flooding back.
My first day of college.
The excitement.
The nervousness.
And then I saw him.
Clyde.
Tall, handsome, and charming.
He walked into the lecture hall, and my heart skipped a beat.
I felt it.
That spark.
That connection.
I knew right then and there.
He was someone special.
As I read on, the memories came alive.
Our late-night conversations.
Our laughter-filled moments.
Our stolen glances.
Our first kiss.
I closed my eyes, reliving the magic.
For a moment, I forgot about Anni and Clyde's marriage.
I forgot about the pain.
All I remembered was the love.
The love we shared.
The love that could never be.
The diary slipped from my fingers, and I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted.
But my mind refused to quiet.
Memories swirled, a maelstrom of emotions.
I thought of Anni, of Clyde.
Of what could never be.
And I wept.
I stood up and went to get my diary back, I wanted to relieve the experience
---
September 1st, Freshman Year
I flipped through the pages of my diary, stopping at the entry that changed everything.
"Today was a disaster. I spilled coffee all over my shirt, tripped on the stairs, and face-planted in front of the entire lecture hall. Why, universe, why?"
I chuckled at my own misery.
But then, I saw him.
"Clyde Grey walked into the lecture hall, and my heart stopped. Piercing blue eyes, brown hair that fell across his forehead in messy waves, and a smile that could light up a room. I'm doomed."
I remembered that moment vividly.
I was scribbling down notes, trying to salvage what was left of my dignity after the morning's mishaps. The seat beside me was empty, and I prayed it would stay that way.
But fate had other plans.
Clyde Grey sat down beside me, his presence radiating an aura of calm confidence. He didn't even notice me, too engrossed in his own thoughts.
I, on the other hand, was acutely aware of his presence.
The next day, I arrived early, determined to claim my seat beside him.
But a swarm of girls obstructed my way.
I navigated through the crowd, my eyes scanning the room for a glimpse of Clyde.
And then I saw him.
Surrounded by admirers, his piercing blue eyes sparkling with amusement.
My heart sank.
Who was I kidding?
I was just a clumsy, coffee-stained freshman.
He wouldn't even notice me.
But I couldn't help myself.
I was drawn to him like a moth to flame.
As I watched, Clyde's gaze lifted, meeting mine across the room.
For a moment, our eyes locked.
And I felt seen.
---