Ella's heart was torn between fear and curiosity. Her best friend, Emma, grasped her shoulders, offering reassurance. "You're going to be fine, trust me." But the words fell flat, and Ella turned to face her friend. "I'm not doing this anymore, let's go home."
Emma's expression turned to disgust as she pulled Ella back. "Do you realize we only have two years left in high school? Do you want to watch him fall for another girl again?" Ella shook her head. "It doesn't matter at this point, Emma. I'm scared."
Emma's response was biting. "Okay, then let your four years go to absolute waste. Poof." Ella knew she had been outmaneuvered. "Fine, you can call him." As soon as the words left her lips, Ella regretted them. "Oh my, oh my, why did I agree to this? Arrrgh!"
She crouched down, feeling defeated, when a familiar voice spoke from behind her. "Hey, what's wrong?" Ella sprang up to face Michael. "Heyyy, Michael."
Michael looked at her quizzically. "I totally can't say it, I'll write it down." He glanced around, and Emma quickly intervened, telling him that a teacher had called for him. Ella gestured for Michael to sit, and when they were both seated, she confessed. "I called for you, Emma lied to bring you here."
Ella pulled out her notepad and pen, scribbling down her feelings. She couldn't bring herself to look up. "I see what this is about," Michael said, sighing after reading her note. "That's all. I've felt like this for a while, no pressure, I don't want a relationship or anything. Just two questions: Did you know? Is it mutual?"
Michael maintained eye contact as he replied. "Yes, I knew. Last week Friday, when you were playing with my fingers." Ella's face flushed at the memory. "It's not mutual," Michael said quietly, as if trying not to hurt her.
The two of them talked for a while, and eventually, Ella left, her head hung low. She met up with Emma and hugged her, and they went their separate ways home. "Home sweet home," Ella sighed, shedding her clothes and changing into something comfy. She prepared a snack, slumping onto her bed after eating.
As she screamed into her pillow, Ella realized she had calculated everything except the impact her confession would have on her. A single tear fell, and she steeled herself, vowing never to cry over this again. With that, she drifted off to sleep.