Falling from the Top

Chapter 34

"I knew it would end this way." Loic exhaled. "I knew it and yet I let myself believe that it wouldn't."

He sat across from me, in the small cafe he worked at. I would've waited for his shift to end but he could sense something was up and had intercepted me right away.

I wanted to wrap my arms around him, comfort him, but I couldn't. Not when I was the one causing his pain. Instead, I crossed my arms.

"I'm so sorry. I like you, hell yes, I do. But I don't see this going any further."

He rubbed his left eye. "I know. I like you too."

I shrugged. "Can we at least save the remains of the relationship and become friends?" I practically begged. I didn't want to lose him, even though I knew I had to. It was bound to happen.

He looked at me, his eyes boring into mine. "Look, Ariana, you're great. We had fun. But you're friends with my sister. And that's the only relationship connection I want to have with you. At least right now." He got up from his seat and directed himself behind the counter. "I'll see you around."

I watched his back disappear behind the closed door of the kitchen. I wanted to weep. Instead, I got up and left the small cafe. I nearly ran home and hid under the covers.

-,-

"Ari," Alice shook my body that was completely hidden under the duvet. "I heard about what happened." She pulled at the fabric. "Come on, get out. We can talk about it." She tried something else, in vain. "Everyone missed you last night. Especially Etienne. He said you told him you would be there."

I flinched. I unhid my eyes and looked at her guiltily. "How can you still speak to me after what happened?"

She shrugged. "Loic's a player. It was inevitably going to turn back on him. Besides, I can't blame you for being honest and loving someone else. That's not your fault. It's human. And you had an honest reaction." She looked at my blotched face. "Let's get you something to eat ok?" She grabbed my hand and pulled me up gently. She looked at my messy hair and ruined makeup. "Okay, maybe we'll take a shower first."

I couldn't help but chuckle a little. She guided me to the bathroom. She turned on the faucet and then let me shower in peace. It felt nice to finally wash all my regrets away. When I finally got out, I wrapped myself in my favourite velvet bathrobe.

Alice waited in the kitchen. The table was laid and it smelled of pancakes. I looked at her, and she gave me a weak smile. I nearly bursted out crying and I rounded the table to embrace her. I held her tight and she patted my hair.

"I'm sorry," I said.

"Don't worry about it. You're my friend before everything else, and that's the only thing that matters." She pulled back. "I made pancakes." She raised her shoulders. "Tell me everything."

We sat across each other at the kitchen island. I spread butter on my pancake before adding a little bit of sugar. "There's nothing to tell really," I started. "It didn't feel right to be with him when my heart belonged to someone else."

She nodded slowly and shoved a whole pancake in her mouth. "Etienne. When I saw him last night, I just figured he was the reason why you were nowhere to be seen." She served herself another plate. "I'm glad you respected my brother. Not all girls would've done things like you."

I smiled. "It was the right thing to do. And things could've gone better!"

She looked at me dead in the eyes. "Are going to tell him?"

I scoffed. "Who? Etienne? No way!"

She put her fork down. "Why not?! You obviously still love him and he's dying to be with you. Come on, you have to tell him."