SILENT STRUGGLES

CHAPTER SEVEN

Ewla pov:

Leaving the office, I couldn’t help but think, “was I being selfish or selfless? I mean if we continued hanging out, I would be ruining her reputation and her group's reputation. Was it worth it being friends with a loser like me and ruining her career? If my family didn’t find me worth, how special was I to her for her sacrifice her reputation and put her career on the line? Resolving to avoiding her as the only solution, for her sake, I left for lunch to the cafeteria. The old norm was back; practice and work.

As I sat ready to take my rice and omelet, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It didn’t take two to know whom it was.

“Hey why didn’t you wait for me for us to take lunch together? I wanted us to go check out a restaurant down town.”

“I’m sorry I was a bit busy.”

“It’s okay, we can go check it out later. They have good goodies,”

“nah I don’t think so I have practice till later then ill head to Namis’ for work. I’m sorry.” I felt a pang of guilt when I saw a look of disappointment on her face. I was lying to the only person who had shown interest in being a friend I never had. I felt pathetic and disgusted with myself.

“It’s okay, we can go tomorrow, then we can go to the arcade.” I couldn’t reject the expectant look on her face, hence I just told her we would go. Her excitement was evident as she enveloped me in a hug which I loved every bit about. I'd miss her hugs. She was comfortable to hug; no big bust and a perfect height. I could just get lost between her arms. That would be a goodbye despite the fact that we could still see each other at the company.

After that, Latty left as she had to work on their debut album. I was going back to being a loner again. It was only convenient for me to get used to it. After taking my lunch, I went back to my schedule; dance practice and then later to work with two hours free. Maybe I could use them to practice a bit more. Laying on my bed that evening I couldn’t avoid thinking about latty. She had become the highlight of my days. Starting with the lemonade she bought me every morning and the hugs before we parted. It was just a day of distancing myself from her. Was I really going to make it?

The day was here. One thing for sure, my heart was to be broken at the end of the day. I tried to convince myself that everything was for the better. My heart was not taking it. Yet again, I remember being reminded to think with my head, not my heart. Dressing in a short white flare skirt, a long white sleeved cropped turtle-neck, a white cardigan on top and knee-length white boots, I was ready. Judge me not. I was just color cautious. Technically, my entire closet was filled with either white or black clothes. It was easier to choose clothes that way.

Not long after I was ready, there was a knock at our door. As I went to open, I was met with Latty standing there in a black suit. Didn’t she say we were going to the arcade? Her suit screamed expensive, unlike the cheap ones everyone wore. Id probably look homeless beside her. With the well fitting jacket that cut her slightly broad shoulders perfectly and brought out their shape and beneath it a black blouse whose first two buttons were left open, showing just the correct amount of cleavage and well tucked into the high-waisted trousers that were tailored to perfection, elongating her long legs, paired with black classic loafers assembled together they brought out a different level of professionalism and sophistication.

“You look really cute” she said, like f**k was she mocking me? I looked like a typical teenage girl while she screamed elegance. “Hey don’t look down, it's true. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? Don’t be shy. Not everyone can pull that off. I mean imagine me dressed like that. I'd look really hideous, but look at yourself, you look stunning. Just try to look at yourself from my eyes.” It seemed like all along all I needed was her reassurance. After picking up my rabbit furry bag, we left.

Latty pov:

Ewla will never cease to surprise me with her cuteness. She’s not beautiful, no, she’s cute and gorgeous; describing her in words always felt like an underestimation. Dressed in that cute short white flare skirt, a white turtle-neck with a cardigan on top and knee-length boots along with light silver jewelry, she looked like an angel. Standing beside her felt like an honor.

Going against the plans I had made the previous day of us going to the arcade, I drove us to the cinema. As expected, Ewla went along with it, not that I was expecting otherwise. Even if I knew that, I sure couldn’t take advantage of her. The smile plastered on her face remained constant as we watched the entire movie. She loved animations. Another observation I took note of. I was never going to make her watch horror movies.

Afterwards, I drove us to a five-star beach hotel my father owned after making a reservation. Ewla looked conflicted. “Hey, ain’t this place too expensive?” “Nah, worry less about the bill. I got you.” As we made our way inside, I couldn’t help but look at the admiration on Ewla’s face. After having drinks, we went for a walk by the beach as I told her about some of my childhood adventures when we'd go camping with my family.

As we walked along the beach, the sun began to set, casting a warm, golden glow over everything. Ewla's face lit up with a soft smile as she listened to my stories, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and amusement. I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness knowing that she was planning to distance herself from me.

After some time, her mood began to shift to quiet. I wanted to hear her giggles again. "Latty," she said softly, breaking the comfortable silence. "Is everything okay?" I asked gently. She was going to say it. "Why are you doing all this for me? I mean, I'm just... me." I stopped walking and turned to face her, taking her hands in mine. "Ewla, you are not 'just' anything. You are special to me. Your kindness, your smile, the way you make me feel... makes everything worth it. “I want to be here for you, no matter what.”

"Latty, I... th …the manager called me to the office the other day, and told me about how our friendship could ruin your reputation and your group's image. They said I should stay away from you for your own good."

I stopped in my tracks, feeling a surge of anger and frustration. "They said that?"

Ewla nodded, looking down at the sand. "I didn't want to believe it, but it made me think... maybe they're right. Maybe I'm just a burden to you."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Ewla, listen to me. I know what they said. I heard it too."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "You did?"

"Yes," I said, my voice firm. "And I don't care what they think. You are not a burden to me. You are my friend, and I value our friendship more than any reputation or career. They don't get to decide who I can or cannot be friends with."

"But what if it affects your career?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"I'll deal with it," I replied. "My career is important, but so is my happiness. And you make me happy, Ewla. I won't let anyone take that away from me."

Tears welled up in her eyes again, but this time they were tears of relief. "Thank you, Latty. I was so scared that I was going to lose you."

"You won't," I said, pulling her into another hug. "We'll face whatever comes together. You're not alone, Ewla. You never have to be alone again."

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with a mix of hope and fear. "Promise?" "Promise," I replied, pulling her into a tight hug. As we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together. And that was all that mattered.