You know Brianna has had a crush on you since like the fifth grade, right?
How would you know that?
I just do.
Okay, well I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. It’s not like I want to go on this date.
Then you could have just said no.
You’re right. But would you have said no if Ryen was in the same situation?
Yes.
Really? I find that hard to believe Cadence. She’s your best friend.
Well, I don’t date people I don’t like. So if I had no interest in the guy, then I’d say no. And Ryen wouldn’t make me do something like that if she knew I wasn’t interested.
Well why do you care so much?
I don’t.
You seem to be reacting like you do.
I was just curious.
Well does it bother you that I’m going on a date?
You just admitted that you like me, Zach.
Because I do.
Okay.
Okay.
There’s a pause, a moment of silence where I just watch the screen. I don’t know what to say or how to react. Are we really arguing over this? I mean, she has a point. If I like her, then maybe I should've been more considerate of how she would have felt when hearing the news. And maybe if Bray knew that I was unavailable or uninterested, he likely wouldn’t have asked me to entertain this double date tonight. So I guess that’s my fault.
I’m not a messy guy. It’s not like I’m sleeping around and talking to a bunch of different girls. But I’m starting to realize more and more that the lines I’m crossing when it comes to Cadence are starting to get blurred and if I’m going to take the risk to pursue what’s on the other side of those lines then I need to start thinking about what I’m doing and how it might hurt her.
But then there’s Brayden, my best friend. I have to consider how pissed off he’s going to be if he finds out just how far I’ve taken things with his little sister. I mean, nothing much has transpired between us yet. But I did just admit that I like her, and hell it’s more than that if I’m being honest with myself. I just have to figure out which path is going to have the least impact over the other because the last thing I want to do is hurt anyone. But if I keep doing little things to mess it all up, then I might just lose both of them.
I watch as the three dots pop up on my screen, telling me that Cadence is typing a response.
Well I like you too, Zach.
I can’t describe the feeling that swarms me. It’s a rush. I mean, I can’t lie, I kind of figured as much. But now she knows for surethat I like her and I know for sure that the feeling is returned. And as nice as it is to finally get that out of the way, it’s still risky.
Cadence…
I know, I know. If Bray finds out…
So then what are we even doing, Zach?
I don’t know, Cadence. This is all just so complicated.
Well then let’s make it easier. Go enjoy your date with Bri and when you’re done, you can text me and then we can talk.
I’m sorry for not reaching out sooner. I just figured you were upset with me and that you’d let me know when you were ready.
