Unwritten Rule

ChapterthreeEnd

As the bell rang, signaling the end of the day, I wished this moment would never come. It was finally time to leave school on a typical day, but this time felt different. I had to check out Xander's decor and see how good it looked for the event. Maybe I could suggest some changes, or just take a quick peek. The last thing I wanted was to be there when he finally asked someone out or, worse, when they shared a kiss, as they always seemed to do.

I headed to the rooftop, my heart pounding with anticipation and dread. As I twisted the knob and pushed the door open, I was greeted by the most amazing decor I had ever seen. Bright balloons floated in the air, and a cheerful "Happy Birthday" sign was proudly displayed. The dinner setup looked incredible, with twinkling fairy lights and elegant table settings that screamed celebration. For a moment, I was lost in the beauty of it all, the vibrant colors and festive atmosphere momentarily distracting me from my swirling thoughts. But deep down, I knew that the real celebration was not just about the decorations; it was about the feelings that were about to unfold, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to face them.

Xander really outdid himself in this one; he must really, really like Jennifer then. I could hardly believe what I was witnessing. "So, Bes, is it okay, or is it too much?" he asked, his eyes searching mine for reassurance.

"It's perfect, Xander," I stammered, my hands trembling slightly as I tried to mask my own emotions. I couldn't help but feel a mixture of pride and pain as I watched him prepare for his big moment.

"I know you really want to go, but I don't know how long this would take, so..." he trailed off, uncertainty creeping into his voice.

"I can walk home or catch a ride; don't worry about me. I'll be fine, Xander," I replied, forcing a smile even though my heart felt heavy.

"Are you sure?" he asked, concern etched across his face.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Have fun," I said, turning away, needing to distance myself from the situation.

"Umm, Bes, one last thing... I, umm, wrote something for her, and I was wondering if you could listen to it and check it out if it was okay and all..." he said bashfully, and I felt a pang in my heart at how genuine he was being.

"Huh..." I replied, my voice hoarse. "It's just a few lines. Please, Bes, I'm so nervous right now. Please just listen."

"Okay," I said, barely able to control myself. Yet, I still couldn't find it in me to say no to him.

"Alright, here it goes," he began, taking a deep breath.

"Jennifer, ever since I met you, I've grown happier, and I've become more carefree than ever before. You make me feel things I never thought I would ever feel. I can't really say I love you right now, but I would love for you to teach me how to love you because I'm ready to learn. Go out with me, Jennifer." He finished, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.

"So, how was it?" he asked, his hopeful expression looking for validation.

"It was... umm, it was good," I replied, blinking rapidly to prevent tears from falling.

"I'll go now. Bye, Xander," I said, rushing out before the floodgates could open.

"Xander..." I heard a gasp behind me as I quickly ducked behind the back door, wanting to hide from the situation that was unfolding.

"Hey, Jennifer! Happy birthday..." he greeted her, leaning in to peck her cheek lightly, and that was when the tears began to roll down mine.

I watched as they shared dinner, feeding each other bites of cake, their laughter ringing in my ears like a bittersweet melody. They even shared a little dance, swaying gently as if the world around them had faded away. But then, he said the exact same words I had just heard him practice, and she screamed, "Yessssss!" in response.

Before I knew it, he kissed her fiercely, and she made no attempt to stop him. Instead, she held onto him for support, kissing him back with the same intensity. I felt a sharp ache in my chest, and that was all it took for the tears to gush out nonstop as I quietly left them behind. I found myself walking home in tears, not caring about the stares I might have received from passersby. My heart was breaking, but I had to let them have their moment, even if it meant suffering in silence.

I got home to find the house empty, and honestly, I was really glad about that. The last thing I wanted was to explain why I was in tears and why I looked as if I had been shattered into a million pieces, because that was exactly how I felt in that moment. My eyes fell upon my old piano, a familiar sight that had once brought me so much joy. I realized it had been a while since I last played a song that only a select few knew I could perform. I wouldn’t say I was particularly good at it, but I had been improving over time. With a deep breath, I blew the dust away from the keys, preparing myself to play once more.

As I sat down, I felt an overwhelming sense of numbness wash over me. I repeated to myself, "I feel so numb. So, so numb." Inside, I was all broken apart, struggling with a whirlwind of emotions. "I hate you," I murmured softly, followed by, "I love you." The conflicting feelings surged through me, and I began to cry as I sang a different tune. "Why can't I stop loving you?" I screamed out in frustration. "I hate that I love you..." My voice cracked as I shouted, tears streaming down my face.

Suddenly, my phone beeped, breaking through the storm of emotions. It was a message from Sethel: "Dinner Saturday night. I won't stop until you say 'Yes.'" At that moment, I didn’t care about anything else, nor did I ponder how he got my number. I simply typed out a reply without a second thought: "SURE! I'D LOVE TO." The prospect of seeing him felt like a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.