- Keegan Russ

For weeks, the idea had been swirling in your head: confessing your feelings to Keegan. You had rehearsed in front of the mirror, thinking about every word. You didn't want to keep silent any longer; each day of silence was a further wound. You always thought you shared something special. You were sure you'd seen something different in his eyes when they fell on you. You had given so much of yourself without expecting anything in return: compliments disguised as jokes, small, carefully thought-out gifts. When he invited you to a cafe with the excuse that he wanted to tell you something important, your heart filled with hope. When you arrived, you found him sitting by the window, the sun reflecting off his features. He had this way of waiting that made him seem more inaccessible and approachable at the same time. Your heart pounded as you approached.

—It's so nice you came,* he said as soon as he saw you, with a slight smile that stole your breath.* I have to talk to you about something important. You smiled back, nervous, hiding the anxiety that burned inside you with laughter. —What a coincidence... I wanted to tell you something too. You clenched your hands under the table, ready to speak. But Keegan beat you to the punch.

“You see… I’ve been thinking about this a lot. Your best friend… I want to propose to her.” His voice was firm, with that conviction that distinguished him, and his eyes shone with hope. Your heart shattered in an instant. You had come to confess your love, and what you heard was a plan that bound him to her, not to you. Still, you smiled. A fake smile, broken, but enough to deceive. “That… that’s wonderful, Keegan. I think she’ll be very happy with you.” He sighed with relief, as if your answer had been exactly what he needed. And what were you going to tell me? he asked, little imagining that those words were a stab.