B-Brandon.

Recap:

"Hi, Ron." She says in her angelic voice.

"Hi, Lazy Dazy." I greet back pulling her into a hug. She wraps her arms around me tightly, confirming my suspicions.

Pulling back I ask the only question, I needed the answer for.

"What's troubling you, Daisy?"

**********

Present:

"What's troubling you, Daisy?" I ask again waiting for her answer.

"A-Aaron.." Her breath hitches in her throat. She didn't use the nickname she always used to address me and that's enough to have me worried for her.

"Come let's walk around and talk." I say taking her hand in mine. She just nods in response and squeezes my hand before coming along with me.

The warm yet cold spring breeze of New York hit us as we walk through the park in silence. The falling leaves, blooming flowers and beautiful sunset is the perfect setting for two lovers to confess their love. But here, my love was certain but hers, I have no idea.

"Aaron." My name rolls out perfectly on her tongue breaking me out of my train of thoughts.

I squeeze her hand letting her know that I'm listening to her without uttering a word. She squeezes my hand back and from the corner of my eye, I notice her take in a deep breath before she speaks.

"Aaron, I don't want you to get mad at me. I know you hold the right to lash out and get mad at me. But please -" I cut her off.

"Daisy, please. Trust me, I won't get mad at you. I can never get mad at you. So, just tell me whatever it is." I insist.

"Aaron, I-I've been in a relationship for the last two years." I freeze in my tracks as soon as the words are processed in my head.

My blood ran cold. I am stunned? Angry? Disappointed? I don't know. It's just too much. The girl I thought is my best friend hid such a huge thing from me. Me? Who am I to her? Did I not matter to her at least a bit? Did she not care about me?

She stops walking and turns around to face me. Her eyes wide with fear as if she is waiting for me to lash out. But how could I? The look she had on her face is enough for me to control my rage.

"Please hear me out first." Her words are rushed.

I stay silent, giving her a cue to speak.

"Aaron, I know we've been friends for so long. I didn't want to hide it from you for so long. And I'm really sorry about that." She breathes heavily as she finished speaking. I remove my hand from hers letting it fall by my side. She stares at me wide-eyed but there are many questions in my mind.

"Who's he, Daisy?" I ask clenching my fists by my side.

"B-Brandon. Brandon Mills." She stutters keeping her eyes fixed on her sneakers.

"Why, Daisy? Why?" I try keeping my voice as low as possible and not lashing out at her.

"Aaron, he didn't want me to reveal anything about our relationship to anyone. We were just waiting for the right time." She reasons, her voice as low as a whisper as if she is guilty, which she should be.

"Okay. So here's the right time. You told me. All done right! It's all done. Thank you for being such an amazing friend, Daisy." My words are bitter, dripping with sarcasm. I turn around and walk away.

I hear her yelling after me, but I didn't stop. When I almost reached the gate of the park, a hand gripped my forearm causing me to stop in my tracks.

"What do you want, Daisy?" I ask through gritted teeth.

"Aaron! I need your help." She whisper.

"Okay! So now, he either left or broke your fragile heart and you came back running to your so-called best friend." I laugh humour-lessly, poison dripping each word that left my mouth.

"Aaron, I'm sorry." She says staring into my eyes.

"Sorry for what, Daisy? Did you ever think about how much it would hurt me? We've been friends for goddamn so many years, Daisy. Tell me one thing that I ever hid from you. Just one thing Daisy and I'll shut up." I narrow my eyes at her waiting for her to answer to me.

She remains silent, her head hanging low and that's enough. She knew I was loyal and honest to her. I know she regrets it but I am hurt. I am livid, burning with fury but I cannot show her that. I cannot lash out at her. Fuck, I cannot hurt her. All along, I waited for her to reciprocate my feelings instead, she fell in love with someone else.

I agree love isn't in our control. Who we fall in love with is not under our control. I know that. But still, it hurt me. I love her. I waited for her to reciprocate my feelings but she didn't. It's my love for her that stopped me from lashing out. My unrequited love.

Without another word, I turn around and storm out towards my car and drove away. There's only one place, that can provide me with relief. That will help me calm my nerves and that is where I set off to.

I need to blow out the steam. To remove my anger, my frustration. To numb the pain of my broken heart. And only hitting someone or something can provide me with that relief.

It hurt me. It hurt a lot. It felt like someone was piercing needles in my heart. But what can I do? Force her to love me? Ruin her happiness? Will that give me relief? Is my love that selfish?

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