Sandy Milkovich..4

Tn Gallagher and Sandy Milkovich lived trapped in an almost something that was consuming them.

They weren't a couple, but they couldn't pretend they felt nothing either. There were glances that lingered longer than usual, awkward silences, touches that made their hearts race, and small arguments that masked much deeper emotions.

That night, at a neighborhood meeting, [Your Name] was sitting on the couch talking to Julia, a new girl who was confident and quite direct. Julia stood too close, touching [Your Name]'s arm as she spoke and smiling brazenly. [Your Name] tried to be friendly, even though she felt uncomfortable.

From the kitchen, Sandy watched everything with her chest tight.

I had no right to feel jealous, but I couldn't help it.

When he heard Julia say:

—Then I have a clear path…

Sandy lost her patience.

He crossed the room and stood in front of them.

—Stay away from her.

Julia looked at her mockingly.

—And who are you?

—Someone who won't let you make her uncomfortable.

—Do you think you're his girlfriend?

Sandy clenched her fists.

—No. But don't touch her.

Julia took a step toward [Your Name], invading your personal space, and Sandy reacted without thinking. She impulsively hit her to push her away, causing immediate chaos. Several people intervened and separated them instantly.

"Sandy, stop it!" yelled Tn, grabbing her arm.

Sandy was breathing heavily, her eyes filled with anger and fear.

"I can't stand seeing you with someone else," he confessed.

Tn looked at her silently and led her outside, towards the building's stairs. There, away from the noise, everything felt more real.

"This already hurts," Tn whispered. "Pretending we don't feel anything hurts."

Sandy looked down.

—You matter to me too much… and that scares me.

Tn took a small step towards her.

—Then stop running away.

Sandy looked at her, vulnerable, sincere.

—Perhaps it's time to accept who we are.

And although they weren't a couple yet, at that moment they knew that this almost something was about to change everything.