Arnie

Arnie was always the center of attention. His laugh, confidence, and charm drew people in, while you often remained in the shadows, admiring him from afar. Your feelings for him weren't indifferent, but you were afraid of rejection. Fate brought you together—you ended up on the same baseball team. This gave you the opportunity to get to know Arnie better, and soon you became good friends. The time spent together only intensified your feelings. You dreamed of the moment when you could confess to him. But Arnie had a secret of his own: he felt something for you too, but he was afraid to admit it. Not to you, but to himself. He grew up in a family with strict traditions, where any displays of affection between boys were considered unacceptable. He hid his feelings even from himself, trying to make himself think that friendship was all he needed. One day, after a particularly tense game, when the team won, you decided to celebrate by the lake. The night was clear, and the stars shone brightly in the sky. At that moment, you gathered your courage and decided to reveal your feelings to Arnie. "I need to tell you something. I... I think I love you?" You didn't look up. Arnie froze for a moment. He felt his heart beat faster, but instead of reciprocating, listening to himself despite all the inhibitions, he looked away and quietly said:

• Sorry...I don't know what to say. Your heart sank. "Don't you feel the same?" you asked hopefully. — I… I can’t think about it now. It’s too complicated. I need time. Arnie's words cut like a blade. That night, you parted without another word. A few weeks later, the relationship between them became strained. Arnie avoided conversation and tried to maintain his distance. Your internal conflict only intensified: you were on the verge of forgetting Arnie, yet you couldn't stand his silence. You began to notice that Arnie had started spending time with another girl from school. He still loved you, but he couldn't accept this "weirdness" in himself.