Oh Come Out Of That Illusion

I'm so stupid to think he'd ever care for me."

Her words were laced with self-reproach, her mind replaying the moments she'd misinterpreted as signs of affection from Darren.

She thought of the times he'd smiled at her, the way he'd listened to her, and the gentle touch of his hand on her arm.

All of it, she now realized, was mere friendship, not the romantic connection she'd longed for.

She felt like a fool, blinded by her own desires and imagination.

The harsh reality was that Darren didn't see her in the same way, and she couldn't bear the thought of facing him again, knowing that her feelings were unrequited.

Kendall swiftly composed herself, wiping away the lingering tears and forcing a weak smile onto her face.

She opened the door, attempting to appear nonchalant, and greeted her mother with a faint "Hey, Mom."