THE ONE I THOUGHT I WANTED

Lila and Max have been friends since childhood. They met in elementary school when Lila moved to the city and started in Max's class. Max was immediately attracted to Lila's outgoing and friendly personality and he quickly became her friend. Their friendship deepened when they got together for a class project. Max was impressed with Lila's creativity and ingenuity, and Lila appreciated Max's intelligence and attention to detail. Since that day, they have been inseparable.

As they got older, their bond grew stronger. They shared a love of music and would often spend hours listening to and discussing their favorite bands. They explored nature together, went on hikes, and explored new trails. They also enjoyed discovering new trails. Although Max never had romantic feelings for Lila, he always cherished their friendship and was there for her whenever she needed him. Lila in return appreciated Max's unwavering support and relied on him as a trusted advisor.

Lila and Max's friendship was envied by many. While Lila is outgoing and adventurous, Max is more reserved and hard-working. Their different personalities never created a rift in their friendship and they complemented each other well. They supported each other and encouraged each other to try new things. Their shared love of nature and the great outdoors also brought them closer together. They often went on weekend camping trips or hiking in the nearby mountains, enjoying the beauty of the countryside and each other's company. Even when they struggled, they worked together to overcome them and learned to rely on each other in new ways.

As they entered high school, they began to explore their interests more, but still made time to hang out as much as possible. They would always make time to catch up and share what they were up to. However, their friendship was not without its challenges. Lila struggles with her crush on Max, which sometimes creates tension between them. However, their bond was strong enough to withstand these challenges, they always find ways to overcome them and become stronger on the other side.

Despite the ups and downs of their friendship, Lila and Max's friendship was based on mutual respect, trust, and a deep understanding of each other and shared history, have been testaments to the power of true friendship. Together, they overcame several obstacles, stayed close over the years, and created memories that will last a lifetime.

Lila had deep romantic feelings for Max that she had had for years. From the moment she met him, she was drawn to his intelligence, humor, and kind heart. But she didn’t know if he feel the same way for her, so she felt uncomfortable expressing her feelings to him. As they got older, Lila's feelings for Max only grew, she thought about him all the time and she dreamed of what it would be like to be in her relationship with him. She was often jealous when he showed interest in other girls and it’s even worse when he comes to her seeking advice on how to woo a girl.

Despite her feelings, Lila put them aside and tried to focus on being Max's best friend. Along the line, Lila discovered that her feelings for Max are holding her back and making her question her motives. At times, Lila's feelings for her Max confuse her and make her feel conflicted. She knows he doesn't feel the same way towards her, which is causing her a lot of emotional pain. However, it was difficult letting go of her feelings. She had to see him go on date with other girls and often times he came seeking advice on what to do, say or buy for his girlfriends. This was a pain she had to endure because she knew he didn't feel the same way about her. Sometimes she thinks it might be better to keep her distance from him to protect him as well as herself.

In spite of trying hard, Lila can't let go of her feelings for Max. She has moved on and tried to date other men, but nothing compares to her deep connection she felt for Max. Her feelings for him are a source of both joy and pain. She was caught in a cycle of disappointment. As Lila navigates her relationship with Max and tries to figure out what she wants in life and love, her feelings for him remain ever-present. What she felt was a reminder of the power of love and the complexities of the human heart, and ultimately, they lead her on a journey of self-discovery and growth.

She had been in love with Max for years, but was always too scared to tell him how she felt. She worried it would ruin their friendship or he wouldn't feel the same way, so she kept her feelings to herself. One day she could no longer keep it inside. Lila and Max sat by the river and watch the sunset, Lila finally musters up her courage to tell Max how she feels.

Max, I have something to say to you, she said, taking a deep breath. "I've had feelings for you for a long time. I know we are just friends, but I can't help but feel the way I feel. I love you Max."

She confessed that she had loved him for years, and she hoped he felt the same way.

Max was stunned, he said;

Lila, I care about you a lot, but I have no romantic feelings for you.

Max had never seen Lila romantically, only as a friend. He felt terrible about unintentionally leading her on. He sat with her for hours talking about her feelings and his feelings. Max put his arm around her and pulled her closer.

"I know it's hard, Lila but I hope we can still be friends. I don't want to lose you," he said softly.

His value for their friendship was too much to risk it in a romantic relationship, but hopes they will still remain close friends. Lila understood where he was coming and respected his decision.

Over the next few weeks, Lila struggled to come to terms with Max's lack of romantic interest. She felt hurt and rejected, and it was difficult to be around him without feeling a little pain. She knew she had to do something about it. She immersed herself in her music, wrote songs about her experiences, and put her heart and soul into her performances. She also focused on friendships with other people and deepened those connections, and along the way she discovered new things about herself. Over time, Lila realized that Max's lack of romantic interest was not rejection, but simply a reflection of his own feelings for her. She learned to appreciate their friendship and cherished the moments they shared without expecting anything more.

During this time, Max was incredibly supportive, understanding Lila's need for space, and patiently waiting for her to process her feelings. While making sure she knew what was being said, they never wavered in their commitment to friendship. After When Max rejected Lila's romantic advances, Lila was severely hurt. Lila had just experienced a painful situation that made her feel despised and rejected.

Since she could remember, she had been in love with him and had hoped that he may feel the same way about her. It was time for her to move on since she had to accept the reality that he didn't share the same feel with her at this point. She sulked around her apartment for days while listening to depressing music and felt sorry for herself. She struggled with the notion that she wasn't good enough and couldn't understand that Max didn't feel the same way about her. Lila was unsure about where to start at first. Every time she thought about Max, she had a sense of sadness, and her heart was heavy. However, as time passed, she started to understand that she couldn't hold on to something that wasn't meant to be.

Lila eventually came to the conclusion that her feelings for Max were preventing her from moving forward. She couldn't let go of the idea that he may change his mind, and she couldn't be truly happy if she was always pining for someone who didn't share her sentiments. She began by allowing herself to experience grief. She expressed her sadness through sobbing, speaking with friends, and writing her feelings in journals. She understood that it was okay to be depressed and that she needed to give herself time to recover.

Lila didn't want to live in her melancholy indefinitely. She was aware that she had to act if she wanted to ever go on. She consequently made the choice to put her interests and self-care first. Lila then came to a decision. She was going to let Max go and concentrate on creating a life for herself that didn't rely on anybody else's approval or love. It wasn't going to be easy but she was willing to give it a try. Lila occasionally felt inclined to get in touch with Max, try to sway his decision, or revert to her former habits. She also reminded herself that she had much to give the world and that she deserved better than to be someone's second choice.

Lila gave her everything to her career, taking on difficult tasks and new initiatives that made her uncomfortable. Additionally, she increased her socializing, catching up with old friends and making new acquaintances. At first, Lila found it frightening, but she soon understood that there was an entire world waiting for her. Lila started to feel more like herself again gradually but steadily. She began to laugh more, cry less, and perceive things differently. She understood that her love for Max had been a hindrance, but that now that it was gone, she could go after her aspirations without doubt or fear. Lila's heart started to mend, and she started to enjoy life once more. Although she continued to respect their friendship, she was no longer drawn to Max romantically. Instead, she viewed him as a trustworthy friend who she could confide in and with whom she could share her experiences.

Looking back on her path, Lila saw that letting go of Max had been one of her wisest choices. Although it had hurt, it had also helped her to learn new things about herself and to develop in ways she had never imagined. She was thankful for the experiences they had together and the lessons she had learnt along the way even though she didn't end up with Max. She understood that true contentment came from inside and that she didn't require the approval or love of others to lead a happy life. And while she would always treasure the memories she had with Max, she also understood that she was capable of much more than simply yearning for someone who wasn't there.