The Other Side

Part 2

Ryn

Time with Caleb was excruciatingly sweet and he took me to  heights of ecstasy I thought never possible. Every day after school we would spend time together at either his place or mine. Sometimes when at mine, he would disappear for sometime then come back to me, but I merely dismissed his reasons with my trust towards him. Nate made sure to keep his distance from us whenever we were at their house and even at school, he only acknowledged me with a knowing glance and went about with his business.

Kate kept complaining that I was spending less time with the crew and Jack had come to terms with the fact that we were never going to be anything less of friends, and I was glad. I didn't want anything to come between me and Caleb. It had taken a lot to bring us back together. Everything felt too good to be true but I couldn't be more happier. I felt like the luckiest girl in the whole world. Cupid must have certainly been lurking around.

On the rare occasions that I got to have a descent conversation with Nate, he was nothing short of sweet.

" I'm so glad I took your advise, I've never been so happier in my life." I told him as he made his way to chemistry with me tugging along.

" I'm glad you are. You deserve it. Clearly I'm not the only one who has noticed, your bad girl vibe dialed down a notch. " he replied somewhat impressed.

" Just be careful okay, this whole thing feels too good to be true, and I wouldn't wanna see you get hurt. Again." He was being careful with his words, I had no idea what he was getting at.

" Should I be worried about your jealousy? " I was merely kidding but that seemed to have upset him more than I intended.

"You think am saying this because am jealous? I am only doing this because I care about you, those are two entirely different matters, but I am glad to know that's the much you think of me." He snarled sarcastically.

" I'm sorry, I'm just overwhelmed. I don't like the distance we're keeping from each other. I may be dating your cousin but you and I have a special bond, and I don't want that to change because I am seeing someone else. My reluctance before was because of my heartbreak but now Caleb and I are together. " I explained further.

" I understand, but you can't always expect me to be there like before. The reality has finally kicked in Ryn, you are irrevocably in love, where do you think that places me. I am the unwanted one in the equation and am not so happy about that. Things are very different now, its one thing to have feelings for you and let you go with so much as a fight but its entirely a different story to have to watch you being happy with someone else knowing exactly that's where you belong. In someone else's arms." I wasn't expecting that kind of a reply. It had been a month since Caleb and I got back together and I figured Nate must have already moved on by now.

I was begrudgingly wrong, by the look of things.

" If you ever want me to be sane again, I suggest we take a break from talking to each for some time. I need space to process everything, even time doesn't seem to be doing me any justice. Its been a month, a long damn month." He was hurting still, it broke me to know that I was the one behind it all.

Things were not as merry as Nate thought they were. Caleb and I had our fare share of fights. Whenever I brought up his constant disappearing at my place, he  would scurry off with bewilderment and horror then shut me down completely. I always dismissed it, but for the past few days it has been tugging at the back of my head.

The relationship was not as I had expected it would be, but he made me happy and I was content. No one had for so long. I realized that I hadn't missed him that much, just the idea of us together. It wasn't as sweet as it was in the military school but I figured the distance and time had changed us both.

I was conflicted between telling Nate the truth and giving the relationship more time to grow.

"Okay, if it is space you want, I'll give it to you. Please don't go away for good, that would break me more than any heartbreak I went through. You understand me in a way that even Caleb doesn't and maybe I'm not as in love with him as I thought."

"What do you mean?" I could hear the palpable hope in his voice.

"Every time he kisses me, I can't help but think of that kiss we shared under the star lights that night. I find myself comparing him to you every time. I know how different the two of you are, in physique and in mannerisms but you've been wagering my thoughts in a frequency that over laps my time with Caleb. He doesn't give me half the attention you give me when we are together, even as mere friends. I think I might be sharing your feelings Nate, it scares the shit out of me. Me getting back together with Caleb only made me realize that, I think I might be leading him on?"

I know I thought I loved him because he made me happy but the feeling of Nate's lips on mine kept creeping in my head every time Caleb touched me. I couldn't bring myself to tell him that because for the sake of old time, I was giving him the chance to prove to me that what we shared at the military school wasn't a mere illusion.

"You like me back?" This seemed to have shocked him more than my realization that I might not be in love with Caleb after all.

" Like you said we need space. I also need to sort out my feelings, perhaps approach Caleb about everything. Then we'll see the way forward. Keep in mind that I fancy you nerdy boy. Whatever love  portion you used on me, its fucking working right. "

He blushed profusely at that. God, how I missed that look on him.

"Okay, I get you. I'm giving you a week at maximum, I don't think I can wait longer than that." The news certainly elated him. He wasn't as grumpy as before.

One huddle out of the way, a few more to go.

I spent the entire lesson thinking about how Caleb would react to the news. One month ago I was over the moon with the idea of getting back together with Caleb but now everything felt so staged to me. He didn't give me the thrill like he used to.

What changed!

I had no idea whatsoever.

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Edited. Enjoy!