A Moment of Realization

Noah sat at a small table in the café, staring blankly at the wall, his thoughts consumed by Oliver's confession. He replayed the moment in his mind, feeling a mix of regret and confusion. Lost in thought, he didn't notice Maya approaching until she tapped him on the shoulder.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her cheerful demeanor quickly shifting to concern as she noticed his expression. "Wait, is this about Oliver?"

Noah let out a shaky breath and nodded, his heart heavy. They both sat down at the table, and he took a moment to collect his thoughts before pouring out the story. "He came down one morning, and I was making pancakes. Out of nowhere, he confessed his feelings for me. I panicked and… I rejected him. I didn't think I felt anything more than friendship. But now… I can't stop thinking about it."

Maya listened intently, disappointment evident on her face. "Noah, what were you thinking? How could you not see it?"

"I don't know!" Noah buried his face in his hands, tears streaming down. "I regret it, I regret it, I REGRET IT!" His voice broke as the weight of his emotions crashed over him. "I only realized my feelings after rejecting him."

Maya was torn between wanting to laugh and scream. After a moment of silence, Noah looked up at her, confusion etched on his face. "Wait, you knew?!"

"It's not that secretive, Noah," she said, shaking her head. "Everyone could see how you looked at each other. Just what are you going to do now?"

Noah fell silent, contemplating her words. The thought of reaching out to Oliver filled him with a mix of hope and fear. What if it was too late? What if Oliver had already moved on? He stared at his hands, lost in thought.

Maya noticed his hesitation and leaned closer. "You need to figure this out. It's not every day you realize you like someone after they've confessed. Don't let your chance slip away!"

Before Noah could respond, Maya checked her watch. "I have to go complete my orders for the new fabric," she said, standing up. "But think about it, okay? You can't let this opportunity pass. Talk to him. You owe him that much."

As she walked away, Noah watched her go, feeling the urgency of her words sink in. He knew he had to confront his feelings and, hopefully, find a way back to Oliver. The café felt emptier without Maya's presence, but it was time to face the truth. He needed to be brave.