SUMMER
Summer noticed Reed's tense interactions with Kingsley.
"Reed seems upset," Summer thought.
She approached Reed during lunch.
"Hey, Reed, everything okay?" Summer asked.
Reed's eyes locked onto hers.
"Summer, can we talk?" Reed asked.
Summer nodded.
But before Reed could confess, Kingsley appeared with an unusual request.
"Summer, I need your help with a photography project," Kingsley said.
Summer raised an eyebrow.
"Photography?" Summer asked.
Kingsley smiled.
"I want to capture the school's hidden beauty," Kingsley explained.
Summer agreed, intrigued.
---
Kingsley's photography project was a ruse.
He planned to ask Summer out during the shoot.
At the school's rooftop, Kingsley set up his camera.
Summer laughed as Kingsley posed her.
As the sun set, Kingsley's nerves dissipated.
"Summer, from the moment I met you...," Kingsley began.
Summer's eyes sparkled.
"Yes?" Summer encouraged.
Kingsley took a deep breath.
"I was wondering if you'd like to be my girlfriend?" Kingsley asked.
Summer's smile faltered.
Reed watched from afar, heart sinking.
---
Summer's smile faltered.
"Kingsley, I...I need time to think," Summer said.
Kingsley's face fell.
"I understand," Kingsley replied.
Summer's mind raced.
Reed's confession lingered.
Kingsley's kindness and protection.
"Can I answer tomorrow?" Summer asked.
Kingsley nodded.
"I'll wait," Kingsley said.
---
Reed watched, heart sinking.
Summer didn't reject Kingsley outright.
Reed's hopes dwindled.
"Why can't she see I'm meant for her?" Reed thought.
Reed approached Summer.
"Summer, can we talk now?" Reed asked.
Summer hesitated.
"Not now, Reed. I need space," Summer replied.
Reed's frustration boiled.
---
Kingsley anxiously awaited Summer's response, his mind racing with doubts.
"Did I move too fast?" Kingsley wondered, replaying their conversation.
Summer's hesitant smile lingered in his mind.
"Maybe I should've waited," Kingsley thought, anxiety creeping in.
He checked his phone for what felt like the hundredth time.
No message from Summer.
Kingsley's patience wore thin.
---
Reed poured his emotions onto paper, writing from the heart.
"Dear Summer,"
"I've loved you for so long, watching you from afar."
"My heart beats for you alone."
"Please consider my feelings."
"Yours always,"
"Reed"
Reed nervously dropped the letter in Summer's locker, hoping she'd understand.
---
Summer opened her locker, finding Reed's letter nestled between her books.
As she read, her heart swelled, touched by Reed's sincerity.
Reed's words echoed in her mind:
"I've loved you for so long..."
Summer felt torn, her emotions in turmoil.
Kingsley's kindness and protection.
Reed's passionate confession.
She sought Nelly's advice, needing guidance.
"Nelly, I'm lost," Summer said, showing her the letter.
"Kingsley asked me out, and Reed wrote this."
Nelly's eyes widened.
"Whoa, that's deep," Nelly said.
"What do you feel for each?" Nelly asked.
Summer hesitated.
"I care for both, but differently."
"I value Kingsley's friendship."
"Reed's words resonated deeply."
Nelly nodded thoughtfully.
"Follow your heart, Summer."
---
Summer pondered her feelings, weighing her options.
Kingsley's kindness and protection.
Reed's passionate confession.
She recalled moments with each.
Laughter with Kingsley.
Reed's heartfelt letter.
Summer's heart clarified its choice.
"I need to talk to Kingsley," Summer thought.
Summer found Kingsley in the library.
"Kingsley, I thought about your question," Summer said.
Kingsley's eyes sparkled.
"What's your answer?" Kingsley asked.
Summer took a deep breath.
"I value our friendship, Kingsley."
"But I don't feel the same way romantically."
Kingsley's face fell.
"I understand," Kingsley said.
Summer's guilt surged.
"Kingsley, I—"
"No need to explain," Kingsley interrupted.
"I'll always care for you, Summer."
Now that Kingsley knows how Summer feels, will she tell Reed about her decision?
---
Summer stood outside Reed's classroom, taking a deep breath.
"I need to do this," Summer thought.
She entered the room, finding Reed staring out the window.
"Reed, can we talk?" Summer asked.
Reed turned, hope flickering in his eyes.
"Summer, I—"
"Reed, I appreciate your letter," Summer interrupted.
"It meant a lot to me."
Reed's face lit up.
"But?" Reed asked, sensing hesitation.
Summer's voice softened.
"I don't feel ready for a relationship, Reed."
Reed's face fell, disappointment etched on his features.
"I understand," Reed said, resigned.
Summer's guilt surged.
"Reed, you deserve someone who loves you fully."
Reed nodded, a faint smile.
"I'll always care for you, Summer."
With those words, Reed stepped back, letting go.
---
Kingsley sat in the library, staring at a book.
Summer's rejection still stung.
But Kingsley refused to give up on their friendship.
"As a friend, for now," Kingsley thought.
Kingsley continued showing his care.
Supporting Summer's goals.
Sharing laughter and tears.
Summer began seeing Kingsley in a new light.
His unwavering dedication.
His selfless love.
One day, while studying together:
"Kingsley, why are you still here for me?" Summer asked.
Kingsley's eyes locked onto hers.
"Because, Summer, you're worth it."
Summer's heart skipped a beat.
Was Kingsley's patience about to pay off?