CHAPTER EIGHT !
"unrequited love?"

🎸.  .  .  JOSEPHINE / HARDING HIGH

Josephine was known for her no-nonsense attitude and sharp wit. She had a reputation for being tough, unapproachable even, but that was just a facade. Inside, she was a maelstrom of emotions, especially when it came to Ryan .

Ryan was the epitome of sunshine. He had a way of lighting up any room he walked into with his infectious smile and easygoing nature.

Josephine admired him, envied his ability to make friends so effortlessly. But lately, something else had crept into her heart—something that made it ache whenever she saw the way he looked at Emmaline.

Emmaline, the one girl, everyone seemed to love and adore. The girl who was supposed to be the target of their competitive drive, not the object of Ryan's affections.

It was clear as day to Josephine that Ryan had feelings for her. She could see it in the way his eyes lingered on Emmaline, in the way he would tense up around her. It was all visible through body language.

Josephine kept her own feelings buried deep. She couldn't afford to let them show. She was the strong one, the one who kept everyone in line. Admitting to herself that she liked Ryan—especially when he clearly didn't feel the same—would only lead to heartbreak.

One evening, after another grueling rehearsal, Josephine found herself in one of the school's practice rooms, alone with her thoughts. She sat down at the grand piano, her fingers hovering over the keys.

Music had always been her escape, her way of expressing what she couldn't put into words.

She started to play, a melancholic melody that matched her mood. But her thoughts kept drifting to Ryan, to the way he smiled at Emmaline, to the way his eyes sparkled when he talked about her. Her fingers stumbled over the keys, frustration boiling inside her.

"Damn it," she muttered under her breath, hitting a wrong note.

She tried again, but the music was choppy, discordant. The more she thought about Ryan, the harder it became to play. Her hands trembled, her vision blurred with unshed tears.

"Why can't I get this right?" she whispered, her voice breaking.

Her frustration reached a peak, and she slammed her hands down on the keys, a harsh, dissonant chord echoing through the room. She closed her eyes, breathing heavily, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.

"Hey, Josie," came Ryan's voice from the doorway.

Josephine's eyes snapped open, and she quickly wiped her cheeks. "What are you doing here?"

Ryan stepped inside, a concerned look on his face. "I heard the noise. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she snapped, turning away from him. "Just... having a bad day."

Ryan walked over to her, sitting down on the bench beside her. "Want to talk about it?"

"No," she said sharply, then softened her tone. "I mean, there's nothing to talk about."

Ryan didn't press her. Instead, he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"You know, it's okay to have bad days. You don't always have to be strong."
Josephine felt her resolve crumbling under his kindness. "It's not that easy," she whispered.

"Why not?" Ryan asked softly.

She hesitated, biting her lip. "Because... because I can't afford to be weak. Not now."

Ryan's hand moved to her back, rubbing soothing circles. "Josie, you're not weak. You're one of the strongest people I know. But even strong people need to let it out sometimes."

She closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. "I just... I don't know how to deal with this."

Ryan was silent for a moment, then he said, "Is this about Emmaline and the others?"

Josephine's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"

"I've noticed how tense you get whenever she's around," Ryan said gently. "It's okay if you don't like her. We're supposed to be rivals, after all."

"It's not that," Josephine said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just... complicated."

Ryan nodded, his hand never leaving her back. "Well, whatever it is, just know that I'm here for you. Always."

His words, his presence, his unwavering support—it was too much.

Josephine felt the tears spill over, silent sobs shaking her shoulders. Ryan pulled her into a hug, holding her as she cried.

"It's okay, Josie," he whispered. "Let it out."

She clung to him, the weight of her unspoken feelings crashing down on her. She wanted to tell him, to confess that she liked him, but she couldn't. Not when he was so clearly in love with someone else.

After a while, she pulled back, wiping her tears. "Thanks, Ryan. I needed that."

He smiled at her, that warm, radiant smile that made her heart ache.

"Anytime, Josie. You're my friend, and I'll always be here for you."

Friend.

The word stung, but she forced herself to smile back. "Yeah, friends."

As they sat there in the quiet practice room, Josephine realized that her feelings for Ryan might never be reciprocated. But for now, she would take what she could get—his friendship, his support, and the small comfort of knowing he cared.

Even if it wasn't in the way she wanted.

EJONA SPEAKS !

I feel kind of bad for Josie ughhhhh
IM SORRY BABE

Thoughts ->