OFF-SIDE

𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖞-𝖘𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖓

Octavia
I stare at Nash for a beat longer before he speaks, "as I said I'll respect your privacy but...we can't just be like before Octavia, we were fake dating, there is a difference." He says anger catching up in his tone, I sigh and bite down on my lip to stop myself from saying something stupid, I get his point but I can't.

"I just...I can't do that." I say raising my hands in the air, frustrated with myself I let out a breath, "you have to trust me..at least." He says sounding every bit mad and...hurt, my heart clenches and I open my mouth to say anything but close it again, he's right, I know that he is.

"Octavia." He says, although it's just one word, it's just...my name but I can tell how angry he is, "you're not even trying, it's like...you don't even want to try." He says frustrated as he stares at me like he's waiting for an answer, I sigh and stay silent, cause I know that there isn't an answer that'll make me appear innocent or something.

He sighs and his jaw clenches "do you want to try Octavia? Because for you I'm willing to try everything, I'm willing to push myself if it'll make you happy." He says swallowing, I let out a breath, "I'm sorry." I say and his lips twitch as he drops his head in his hands, my hands tremble as I speak "I want to leave, I'm leaving." I say then get up and he places a hand on mine, I stare at them for a beat then look up at him.

His expression seems..almost pained like I hurt him, I know that I did, but I also know that I couldn't do that, and I won't give away any promises that I know I won't make, "I'll drive you." He says and I open my mouth to say no but he interrupts, "yes, at least let me do anything that I fucking want today." He says and I nod not wanting to make him even angrier, he stands up and places a couple of dollars on the table then walks beside me, putting a hand on my back as we exit the restaurant.

The ride to my house is silent, none of us dare say anything, he parks in front of the house and I take a deep breath and then let it out, I feel him putting his hand on mine, interlocking our fingers together, we stay like that for a while, none of us saying a thing, just silence but it's comfortable though, he squeezes my hand and I open the door lock, slowly getting out "goodnight." I say and he smiles a little but it doesn't reach his eyes "goodnight." He replies and waits for me to get inside, the moment I close the door I hear his car leaving.

***

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with him, you're the wrong one here Octavia." Adrian looks up from his phone and shakes his head like he's confused, "I don't understand why aren't you willing to share things with him." He says and waits for me to say something, "I don't know...I- it's just so hard to open up, I've kept everything to myself since I was born Adrian, I never learned what it was like to have someone that wants to listen to me," I say because even though I and Adrian are so close, I'd do anything for him but it's also hard for me to share things with him, even if they're just...words

"He said he was willing to try for you, why aren't you? That's how relationships are supposed to work." He says almost disappointed in me and I can't help the feeling of failure lingering in my chest, "you won't lose anything, stop running away from your problems, you can't do that forever, you need to try and fail and try again and fail until you finally succeed, if Nash isn't important to you to the point that you'd actually push your limits for him, then I'm sorry for what I'm gonna say..but you won't deserve to have a relationship with him." He says and I look away.

He's right, that's the thing I loved the most about Adrian, he doesn't say sweet things and comfort me all the time, he doesn't always take my side cause we're friends, he's honest, everything he says is sincere, that's why I came here for him, I have to try, Nash means so much to me, I know it, I've never felt that way towards anyone and yes the future steps might be hard but I'll try, and I know that he'll appreciate this.

"Say anything." He says pulling me away from my thoughts, "I'll try, I'll try for him, you're right." I nod and he stares at me for a beat as if he's searching for a lie in here, but then a smile spreads on his face, I sigh and speak "I love you, Adrian, I'm so grateful for you." I say and wrap my arms around him, he wraps his back and I inhale in his scent, he may not be my brother by blood, but that's the beautiful thing here, he's not my family because I was born with him living under the same floor, it wasn't something that I had to deal with whether I wanted it or not, Adrian is my family because both of us found comfort in each other, right here, both of us together, it feels like home....even safer than home, "love you too." He mutters and I grin.

We pull away and I speak "can I use your phone? Mine is dead, I want to call him." I say and he hands me his phone, I grin as I search for his number, a couple of notifications pop up but I ignore them, although one of them catches my attention, no
My heart beats painfully in my chest as I click on it, it's an article.

Exclusive News
Nash Spencer was found cheating on his current girlfriend in a club! Or is she his ex now? Click on the link for more info!

My hands tremble as I click on it, it takes a moment to load and my lips part when I see the picture in front of me, tears gather in my eyes the more I stare at it.

It's a picture of him, there's a girl on his lap covering his face but his hair is visible, and another girl is kissing his neck, I can't make out if he's kissing her back or just letting her do it, but I know that it's him, and the pain that explodes through my chest feels way worse than everything I've ever felt before.

So sorry, 🤭🤭 okay anyway a vote is really appreciated 💌