I like him

Miles' POV

I sprinted down the hallway, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. I felt like a coward, running away from Leo like that. I could still hear his voice in my head, echoing with disbelief and confusion. What had I done? I was usually so composed, so in control of my emotions. But that day, I had crossed a line I didn't even know existed.

It was as if a switch had flipped in me, and I'd acted without thinking. I had kissed him—my best friend, someone who had always been there for me. I was angry at myself for ruining our friendship, for taking a risk I hadn't been prepared for. Why did I let my feelings get the best of me? I pressed my palms against my eyes, trying to stop the tears from spilling over, but it was no use. 

I found a secluded corner of the school, crouching down and hugging my knees to my chest. I took deep breaths, willing myself to calm down. But it didn't work. The weight of what I'd done pressed down on me like a heavy stone. The guilt coiled tightly around my chest, making it hard to breathe. I had lost a good friend, and for what? A moment of reckless impulse that felt right at the time but now seemed like the worst mistake of my life.

After a while, I wiped my eyes, the salty tears leaving a bitter taste on my lips. I had to go back to class; I couldn't hide forever. I stood up, straightening my clothes and taking one last deep breath to steady myself. 

As I walked back to the classroom, the familiar sounds of laughter and chatter greeted me, but it felt distant, muffled. I pushed the door open and slipped inside, scanning the room for Leo. He was sitting in his usual spot, his posture tense, his eyes focused on his notes. I felt a sharp pang in my chest as I noticed how different he looked. There was no warmth in his smile, no light in his eyes—only the dullness of someone hurt and betrayed.

I took my seat, my heart racing as I fought the urge to look at him. What if he hated me? The thought twisted in my stomach like a knife. I couldn't bear to see that look on his face, the anger or disappointment that I knew I deserved. Instead, I stared at my desk, my mind racing with a million thoughts. How could I fix this? 

"Hey, Miles," my friend Jason said, breaking me from my reverie. "You okay? You've been kind of off today." 

I forced a smile, the kind that didn't reach my eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine." My voice was shaky, but I hoped he wouldn't notice.

"Really? You don't look fine," Jason pressed, his brow furrowing in concern. 

"Seriously, I'm good," I insisted, my tone a little sharper than intended. He frowned but didn't press further. I hated lying, but what else could I say? 

The minutes dragged on like hours. I could feel Leo's presence in the room, a palpable tension that seemed to wrap around us like a thick fog. I dared a glance in his direction, and my heart sank. He was looking straight ahead, completely avoiding eye contact. A part of me wanted to reach out, to say something, anything, but the fear of rejection held me back. 

Finally, the teacher entered the room, and the lesson began. I tried to focus on the lecture, but my mind kept wandering back to Leo. I caught glimpses of him throughout the class—his fingers tapping nervously on his desk, his gaze fixed on the board, the way he absentmindedly pushed his hair back. Each little action sent a wave of guilt crashing over me.

At one point, Leo shifted in his seat, and our eyes met for just a fraction of a second. My breath hitched. His eyes were stormy, filled with an emotion I couldn't quite decipher. Fear? Anger? I wanted to reach out and explain myself, but the words were stuck in my throat, choked by my own regrets.

The class dragged on, and I couldn't shake the feeling of hopelessness that clung to me. When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the period, I felt a rush of relief mixed with dread. I was free from the classroom, but the weight of my actions still hung over me like a dark cloud.

I watched as Leo gathered his things, avoiding any interaction with me. My heart sank further as he walked out of the classroom, leaving me behind. I wanted to call out to him, to apologize, to explain that I didn't mean to cross the line. But my voice wouldn't come.

As I exited the classroom, I caught sight of him at the end of the hall, talking with a group of his friends. He was smiling, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe he would forgive me. Maybe things could go back to normal.

But then, as if sensing my gaze, Leo glanced my way. The smile fell from his lips, replaced by a blank expression. He turned away, and the flicker of hope extinguished in an instant, leaving behind only despair.

I leaned against the wall, feeling the world around me fade away. I was alone, and it was my fault. I had taken a chance and messed it all up. The realization hit me hard—if I wanted to salvage our friendship, I needed to confront this. But how? 

With a heavy heart, I walked away, determination mixing with anxiety. I needed to fix this. I couldn't let fear dictate my actions any longer. But first, I had to find Leo and make things right, even if it meant facing the anger I feared so much.