HER MAJESTY, HIS ROYALTY

he

bove mine, and for some reason, he always stopped by. It was nice, and I enjoyed his company. While we weren't bes

?" I asked, notic

settling down beside me. I was watching t

red, concerned abou

wasn't always so concerned about his physique, but as an athlet

out when it's this hot, Mello," I

right?" he replied, but something about his response seemed

robed further, sensing t

y?" he said with a smirk,

othering you? It's the funniest t

being helpful, then you suck at

Jane thinking that. Are you being jealous or dramatic? Definitely yes! Am I he

ey, and I doubt it's one-sided," Mello explained. Suddenly, I realized I hadn't told M

with Hayley. I ignored all the signs, foolish

trust me, you'll hurt yourself if you keep holding on," Mello advised. I was shocked that h

ave you kno

e hasn't done anything about it, it's probably because she doesn't feel the

still love to hear he

things as fast as possible. You might be too blinded by this mi

ed, but he walked out of my suite without elabo

ored," Evly's voice

ow are you doing

offee?" she offered, h

We sat together at the cafeteria during our lun

majesty?" she asked, using honorifics desp

t call me by my name,

hy you're sulking in the cafeteria d

expected to figure it out," I explained. In truth, I was feeling overwhelmed afte

Who knows, maybe I can help. I've

love his work, and he's the only poet I truly relate to. But for s

of him. He wrote 'When I F

ying to evaluate," I confirmed, pl

e, have you read the

have," I

ike it?" she p

d, I enjoy R.D. Franc

" she asked, and then I understood that s

and answers, I felt a lo

y. I really needed your

u were just distracted. I hope whatever was bothering

understood without any judgment. I wan

she likes Carlo," I blurted o

t," Evly said, moving closer and holding my hand to offer comfort. Her touch felt warm and

ed out, snapping me out of

you for today. I'll talk to you later," I

nothing but kind to me. It hurt to show my weakness, but at the same time, telling her also felt lik

conversation with Hayley

nd trust me he knows and he is cool with that but I don't think that is something you would want. But trust me, it ca

or a moment to think, I'm sure all the lingering tho

dn't have, and try something new. Who knows

s was a bit surprising since, despite having mutual friends, we had never really engaged in a one-on-one co

ot of novels," I init

she replied

ad a lot,"

now," she

pective. To break the silence, I decided to place an order

e mushroom soup

y? Why?" I

ut when you have the whole thing, it t

ious about her recommendation. She didn't strike me as someone who

. It's probably the best item on the menu,

nitely give it a

g over what you wanted but couldn't have, and try somethi

ng behind her words. It seemed a bit strang

suddenly, it felt like they were all

y, who likely knew nothing about the situation, and I ex

I was connecting the dots

n't I realize this all this time? And I've been avoiding her. Ho

or? Go and talk to her befor

already too la

you try," Jerry said, of

ation. "I can't keep running away from my feelings.

e an honest conversation with her. It was time to put asid

I spotted her sitting by herself in the library, engrosse

softly, trying not t

miled warmly. "Hey,

ou about something," I stam

setting her book aside to

of me, and you've been nothing but kind to me," I began,

hold my hand. "It's okay, Mshell. I understand. We

But I also wanted to tell you something. I realized that I've been

her face, but she didn't

foolishly avoiding you because I was scared of what I was feeling. But I do

d my hand gently. "Thank you for telling

ush of courage. "So, what do you

g right now, Mshell. I need some time to process this too. But I do appreciate y

"Of course, Evly. I don't want to rush any

and another reassuring squeeze. "Let's contin

I said, feeling a sense

he future held, I had taken a step towards facing my feelings and being true

v

n I noticed Mshell approaching my table. He looked

y," he sa

eplied, setting my book aside

egan, "I... I wanted to ta

ncouraged, wondering

me, and you've been nothing but kind to me," he confessed, a

our moments of confusion and uncertainty," I

But I also wanted to tell you something. I realized that I've been

onfession, but I didn't le

es, and I've been foolishly avoiding you because I was confused. B

ty. "Thank you for telling me, M

ring his courage. "So, what do yo

hing right now, Mshell. I need some time to process this too. But I do appreciate

urse, Evly. I don't want to rush anythin

hand a reassuring squeeze. "Let's continue

replied, a sense of hope a

thing to do with the fact that he was going through a heartbreak from Hayley. I knew they had been close, and it

Mshell asked, noticing

"I'm fine, Mshell. I just can't help but wonder

n, I thought I liked her, but I guess I was just confused. And being ar

and it's natural to question your feelings," I

ou've been so patient with me, and I don't want to rush anyth

e for you, as a friend and more if that's what you want," I reas

f wash over him. "Thank you, Evly. You're an amaz

Mshell," I replied, feeling a w

pected turn of events was meant to bring us closer together. Perhaps our friendship had alway

pport him through his heartbreak and confusion. And if he was willing to tak