Chapter Text
“I love you.”
Those three simple words echoed in Albert’s messy garden as the sun was setting down behind them. Jandel, who was about to leave the garden, turned to face his friend. They stood there, looking at each other. Albert’s brown eyes, his short hair flowing in the fresh breeze, the tip of his fingers fidgeting with his phone’s case. Jandel didn’t speak at first. He was speechless, or rather, he felt bad. Terribly bad. How could he tell Albert it isn’t reciprocate? They were friends for years, they went through everything together.
His wife. He can’t leave his wife. She’s his world, the love of his life, Albert was ‘just a friend’ compared to her. He didn’t want to hurt his favorite people. His heart began to race as he started overthinking about how to fix everything after he would ruin his friendship with his friend.
Albert’s eyes, once filled with hope, now filled with despair, traveled down to his shoes. He was covering his tears, which fell off his cheeks. But he had to be strong. He sniffed, rubbed his eyes and looked at Jandel as he smiled.
“It was a joke, just kidding!”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Do what?”
“Pretend.”
Silence. Awkward silence.
The door made a little “click” when Albert closed it behind him. His body felt heavy, his head was pounding as if someone was constantly hammering it. He fell into the couch. He’d spent the whole night at the bar, trying to drown his negative thoughts and rejection in vodka.
Albert threw his arms over his face and sighed. He felt so stupid, why would his friend even like him back? He’s happily married, and… Albert is just a loser. He was 30, almost, and doesn’t even have a girlfriend yet, unlike his friends. He was alone. Completely alone.
His chest tightened at this thought. He felt his eyes start watering. Was he crying? How pathetic…