HE WAS MY FIRST LOVE

A DIVIDED HEART

Monday morning arrived with unusual silence

The cheerful conversation that normally filled the halls of the school seemed distance to Olivia .ever since Felix confession and Emily heartbroken revelation she couldn’t stop thinking about what happened

As she reached her locker she saw Emily quietly arranging her books

For a moment neither of them spoke

Then Olivia walked over

Good morning Emily

Emily looked up and offfered a faint smile

Morning

I’m glad you came to school

Emily shrugged running away won’t solve anything

Before Olivia could reply Felix appeared at the end of the hallway

His eyes met Olivia first then Emily

An awkward silence settled between the three of them

I think I will head to class Emily said breaking the silence

As she walked away Felix called her

Emily…..can we talk later

She paused for a second but didn’t turn around

Maybe

Felix sighed

I hate seeing her like this

Olivia folded her arms

She’s hurting Felix

I know

And honestly….. Olivia continued I don’t know if I’m ready to accept your confession

Felix looked at her in surprise

Is it because of Emily

Olivia nodded

I care about you Felix maybe more than I want to admit but I can’t pretend Emily feelings don’t matter

Felix lowered his head

I never wanted either of you to get hurt

Just then the warning bell rang

We should get to class Olivia said softly

Felix watched her walk away knowing he couldn’t ask her for an answer until she was ready

That afternoon Emily sat alone beneath the old tree where Felix confessed his love to Olivia

She traced the circles in the dirt with a small stick lost in thought

A shadow fell across the ground

She looked up

It was Olivia

Mind if I sit with you

Emily smiled sadly

You don’t have to ask

Olivia sat beside her

I don’t want us to become enemies because of a boy

Emily let out a quiet laugh

I don’t want that either

The two girls sat together as the afternoon breeze rustled the leaves above them

Neither of them realised that Felix was watching from a distance

He smiled faintly

No matter what happened between them he hoped the two most important girls in his life would never lose their kindness

But hidden behind a classroom window someone else was watching the three of them

A student quietly took a photo of Felix ,Olivia,and Emily

By lunch time the next day that single photo would already across the entire school and rumors would begin to tear their friendship apart

The next day morning Olivia phone buzzed repeatedly before she even got out of bed

She frowned as she unblock the screen

Dozen of messages filled the class group chat

Have you seen this !

I knew it was love in triangle

Poor Emily

Her heart raced as the opened the photo

It was the picture taken the previous afternoon Felix stood a short distance away while Olivia and Emily sat together beneath the mango tree from the angle of the photo it looked as though all of them were in the middle of an emotional confrontation

Within hours the picture had spread across the entire school

As soon as Olivia stepped in the school premises she felt the stares

Student whisper as she walked by

That her

Felix confessed to Olivia even though he used to date Emily

I feel so bad for Emily

Olivia lowered her head and hurried to her locker

She had never wanted to become the center of school gossip

In another hallway Felix wasn’t escaping the rumors either

His best friend Ethan caught up with him

So ……are the rumors true

Daniel sighed

I like Olivia

And Emily

Felix looked down

Emily will always be important to me she was my first girlfriend and I will always care about her but my feelings for Olivia are real

Ethan nodded

Then stop letting rumors tell your story tell it yourself

Felix knew he was right

At lunchtime Olivia found Emily sitting alone in the school garden

Can I join you Olivia asked

Emily smiled weakly

I was hoping you would

Olivia sat beside her

I’m sorry you are being dragged into all of this

Emily shook her head

This isn’t your fault

She looked at Olivia with honest eyes

I loved Felix once .part of me still does but I can see the way he looks at you

Olivia stayed silent

I’ve never seen him smile like that before

Emily continued and as much as it hurts…..I don’t want to stand in the way of his happiness

A tear slipped down Emily cheeks

Olivia reached over and gently held her hand

You deserve to be happy too

Emily smiled through her tears maybe one day

Just then Felix walked into the garden he stopped when he saw the two girls taking

I’ve been looking everywhere for the both he said

Emily stood and faced him

You don’t have to choose between guilt and love anymore

Felix looked confused

Emily gave him a small genuine smile

I won’t be the reason you hide your feeling

She turned to Olivia before either of them could respond Emily walked away leaving Felix and Olivia alone in the garden

Felix took a hesitant step forward

Olivia…….

She looked into his eyes

I still haven’t answered your confession

I know

She smiled softly

But …….i think I’m finally ready

Just as Felix face lit up with hope the school bell rang loudly

Student poured into the courtyard interrupting the moment

Olivia laughed

I guess you will have to wait just a little longer

Felix smiled

I’ve waited this long I can wait a little longer

As they walked back towards the school together neither of them noticed someone watching from an upstairs classroom

The person lowered their phone after secretly recording the entire moments…