I want to stay by her side, but I respect her relationship with James. Loving her from the shadows feels like the only way to truly honor what we once had. She's still confused, her memories of the past locked away, and she doesn't know that or even remember it. As her friend-no, as her silent admirer-I carry our shared memories in my heart. The laughter, the victories, the struggles... They're all in my heart forever.
A new day, a beautiful sun is rising...
Going to school alone felt like retracing old, empty paths. Without her beside me, the streets seemed colder, quieter, and more peaceful. As I neared her neighborhood, a thought struck me: What if I stopped first by Hanna's house?
I didn't plan it, but my feet led me there. Just outside, I saw Aunt Amber sweeping the front yard of their house. I don't want to come closer, but my feet have automatically moved towards.
"Good morning, Aunt Amber," I said, stopping in my tracks.
She looked up, squinting. "Sorry? Do I know you?"
"It's me, Tristan. I live nearby."
Her brow furrowed for a moment before softening. "Oh... Tristan! Why did you call me Aunt? Are we related to each other?"
I smiled nervously. "No, not really. I'm Hanna's friend, actually childhood friend."
"Childhood friend?" Her eyes lit up with recognition. "Wait, I think I've seen your face before-in some of Hanna's old pictures."
I nodded, heart pounding. "Yes, that's me. We used to be close way back in our childhood days."
She paused, leaning on her broom. "Give me a second. My memory isn't stable, not like the old days." After a moment, her face brightened. "Ah! It is you! How are you? How's your mother?"
"We're doing well, Aunt Amber," I replied warmly.
"Would you like to come in? I think it's still early-you won't be late for school."
I hesitated but eventually nodded. "Sure, thank you."
Inside, the house felt both familiar and strange, as if caught between past and present. It's like I traveled in the past to this place where we played, sharing memories and laughing together. I love those days.
"Where's Hanna?" I asked, glancing around.
"She left for school early," Aunt Amber said, her voice soft.
I hesitated before asking. "Aunt Amber... Can I ask you something?"
"Of course, dear. What is it?"
"My mom told me about Hanna's accident. That it happened three years ago. Is that true?"
The question seemed to hit her like a wave. Her eyes glistened as she set the broom aside and sat down. "Yes," she whispered.
"I'm sorry, it seems my question is personal," I said quickly.
She shook her head, wiping her eyes. "No, it's alright. It's just... a painful memory. We thought we might lose her," she said with a warm and soft voice.
The weight of her words pressed against my chest. "Is she fully recovered now from that accident?"
"She's healthy, but..." Aunt Amber hesitated, as if choosing her words carefully. "There are things she doesn't remember. Memories that mattered to her.
I wanted to ask more but held back. Instead, Aunt Amber reached out, placing a hand on mine.
"Tristan, can I ask you a favor?"
"Of course, Aunt Amber. What is it?."
"Look after Hanna for me when I'm not around. You're a good boy, and I trust you've always cared for her like you did way back."
I froze, her words both a gift and a burden. "Me? But she has James..."
Aunt Amber tilted her head. "James? Who's that?"
"Ah, no one!" I blurted out, quickly steering the conversation away. "I'll do my best, Aunt. By the way, I'm going to school now; I'm pretty late now," I said rushily.
"Ohh.. Ok, ok, I think our conversation takes a long time. Sorry about disturbance," she said while confusing who's James.
"It's ok, I'm not literally late, hehe," I said and then walked away because it seemed I'm totally late to my class.
As I walked to school, her words echoed in my mind. "Look after Hanna for me." But how could I promise that when my heart ached every time I saw her with James? And we have agreed that we kept distance from each other.
I already arrived in my classroom, and my class has already started.
Timeskip: Bell ringing... It's breaktime
As I walked toward the cafeteria, I saw Hanna and James holding hands. They looked happy together, like a perfect couple. Their laughter echoed faintly in the hallway, and I felt my chest tighten.
Their relationship seems to be going better...
I paused mid-step, then turned back toward the classroom. I told myself it was nothing-just hunger fading-but deep down, I knew the truth.
"I'm not hungry. I'll just go back now," I muttered under my breath, though no one was there to hear me. Avoidance was easier than seeing her like that.
On my way back to the classroom, I wasn't paying attention and bumped straight into someone, scattering her books and papers across the floor.
"Oops, sorry!" I blurted out, stepping back.
"It's okay," she said calmly, brushing herself off.
"Are you fine?" I asked, bending down to help pick up her things.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for helping."
As I handed her the last notebook, I looked at her more closely. "Wait a minute... Aren't you Hanna's best friend? "
She blinked, tilting her head. "Yeah, I am. Who are you?"
"I'm Tristan. I'm a... friend of Hanna's too."
Recognition lit up her face. "Oh, you're Tristan! She's mentioned you to me before."
My heart skipped a beat. She talks about me?
Just then, the bell rang, breaking the moment. Students started shuffling into classrooms, the noise rising around us.
"Hey," I said. "Can we talk later? After class?"
"Uh... sure," she replied, surprised.
"Great. I'll wait for you at the front gate," I said with a quick smile before hurrying off.
As I watched him disappear into the crowd, I couldn't help but wonder: What does he want to talk about? Nevermind.
As I walked up toward my classroom, a thought hit me like a lightning bolt. Wait... what's her name? Ack! I groaned inwardly, stopping mid-step. I forgot to ask!
After class, I headed straight to the front gate as promised. I leaned against the wall, checking my watch now and then, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the pavement.
Suddenly, a familiar voice jolted me from my thoughts.
"Tristan?"
I looked up and froze. Hanna was walking toward me, her curious gaze fixed on mine. I hadn't even seen her coming.
"Who are you waiting for? Me?" she asked playfully, tilting her head with a teasing smile.
My heart skipped a beat, and I fumbled for words. "N-No! Actually, I'm waiting for someone else," I blurted out, probably a little too quickly. My pulse raced as her smile shifted into mild confusion.
"Someone else?" she echoed, her face turning more curious. "Who?"
"It's nothing you need to worry about. Oh-she's here!" I said abruptly, almost as if I were saving myself.
Julia approached us, slightly out of breath, her backpack slung over one shoulder.
"Sorry I'm late, Tristan. My teacher held me back for a moment," Julia said, her voice soft but clear. Then, noticing Hanna, she added, "Oh, Hanna? What are you doing here?"
Hanna's gaze shifted between the two of us. "Wait... are you two dating?" she asked, her voice laced with surprise and maybe-just maybe-something else I couldn't quite place.
"No!" I nearly shouted, my face heating up.
"Of course not," Julia added with a small laugh, glancing at me. "Tristan wanted to talk to me about something, so he waited."
There was an awkward silence, and I cleared my throat to break it. "Let's go," I said, turning toward Julia.
Hanna's voice stopped me in my tracks. "Can I come too?"
I hesitated, meeting her gaze. There was something hopeful in her eyes, something that made me hesitate longer than I should have. But this wasn't the time.
"Sorry, Hanna. You can't come along. It's... important," I said firmly, though it felt harsh even to my own ears.
"Oh," she replied softly, her expression falling for just a second. "Okay... I'll go, then."
I watched her turn and walk away, her shoulders slightly slumped. My chest tightened. Was she... sad?
Julia touched my arm lightly, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Wanna go?"
"Yeah," I said quietly, glancing back one last time as Hanna disappeared into the crowd.
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoy this amazing and confusing chapter of "Unseen depth of love" See you all on the next chapter!
Note: This story is from the idea and imaginary of the author. If anything wrong, like it was A.I generated. It's a big NO. It's not an A.I generated but it enchanced by an A.I to make it engaging and readability. But all of information and story line from this novel is from the author ideas,experienced and imaginary. Thank you.