Too Late

Meliza's POV

I avoided Ethan in the days that followed, trying to silence the storm inside me. No matter how often he reached out, I ran—turning corners, walking faster—anything to avoid the conversation I wasn't ready for.

He sent flowers through Ruby and Jonathan, but I wasn't ready to be softened. I didn't want reminders of him. Before they even made it to my room, I tossed them in the trash, not wanting to give myself the chance to daydream about him again.

The truth was, I couldn't let myself fall for him. Not when I knew what it would cost me. My mother would only get angrier if she found out I was dating someone like Ethan. She didn't know the half of it, but I could already see the disappointment in her eyes. She'd never understand why I would choose someone like Ethan.

Even if Vince begged me to listen to him, I refused to give Ethan the chance to speak. I couldn't let myself go back to that place—not when I was still trying to sort out my own mess. But then, one day, everything changed. Ethan stopped trying and stopped pursuing me altogether. He started hanging out with Nicole and her friends as if I had never existed.

What hurt the most wasn't the silence or the distance—it was the way he stopped looking my way. After our date, I'd caught him so many times, his gaze lingering on me with that familiar longing in his eyes, and I'd always ignored him, telling myself it didn't matter. But now, nothing. He didn't even glance in my direction anymore.

The day I passed him in the hallway leading to the kitchen, I thought maybe there would be a flicker of something—some trace of the connection we once had. But no. He didn't smile, didn't acknowledge me at all. He just walked past me as if I were invisible like I was nothing.

I was shattered, my heart heavy with pain so raw it felt like it was suffocating me with every breath. No matter how much I tried to numb it, the ache remained, even in the quiet of my room, as I told myself Ethan wasn't worth this heartache.

The days blurred, the world dimming as I stood in the shadow of what could've been. A crushing sense of inadequacy gripped me, the belief that I wasn't good enough for him. But deep down, I knew this was my fault—I had pushed him away when I had the chance to hold on, and now, I was left with nothing but loneliness."

It felt like standing in front of a mirror that showed nothing but flaws. The silence after rejection was deafening, filling me with doubts I never knew I had. I replayed every moment, now hollow, and felt exposed, my vulnerability ignored. For the first time, I felt raw, like an open wound.

Each time I saw him with Nicole laughing, my stomach twisted with disappointment. The lump in my throat never left, and my limbs felt heavy, weighed down by an invisible force.

While the peace I'd been craving came when the girls stopped bothering me, I couldn't shake the loneliness. Ruby was always there, pushing and encouraging me to face the truth.

"Iza, don't punish yourself. Ethan's just a text or call away," Ruby said, walking into my office. It was nearly dinner time, and I was alone, lost in my thoughts.

"Who? What are you talking about?" I asked, feigning confusion, though I knew exactly what she meant.

Ruby raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp. "You're in love with Ethan."

I narrowed my eyes, staring at her as if she'd just exposed something I wasn't ready to face. "It doesn't matter. He's off having fun with Nicole anyway," I muttered, trying to shrug it off.

Ruby let out a laugh, but it wasn't the light, carefree kind. It was knowing, like she could see right through me.

"You rejected Ethan, and now you're jealous? What's wrong with you, Meliza?" my best friend asked; her words felt like a betrayal.

"I'm not jealous," I mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

"Nicole's a fighter. Your frenemy is doing everything to win Ethan. You, my best friend, are not a loser," she replied.

"Are you willing to lose him? If not, come with me tonight. We're having a barbecue in the front garden. The tables and chairs are already set up." Ruby added. I wanted to deny my feelings for Ethan but couldn't muster the energy to argue.

"Everyone's invited, yet you're the only one who skips every party. You're too focused on work," my best friend said, closing my laptop before I could. "It's past your duty hour. Time to relax and enjoy good food and music."

"I heard Vince and Ethan are performing tonight," Ruby added excitedly. I wondered if Ethan could really sing.

No matter how many times I said no, my heart betrayed me as I finally agreed to Ruby. I couldn't deny my longing to see Ethan, even from afar. My curiosity about whether he could really sing drove me crazy, and I couldn't hide my excitement for tonight.

"Good decision," Ruby said, smiling. "You won't regret it. Let it go, Meliza. For once, try to be happy. I know you're doing this for your mom."

"Your mom is miles away; she can't see you dating Ethan. Give yourself a break and enjoy your teenage years. We only get this phase once, Meliza. We can't go back." Ruby said, her words soft but firm.

"It's beautiful to be in love," she continued without giving me a chance to respond, squeezing my hands with a genuine smile.

"I'll pick you up here before six. Don't stress about what to wear; you'll stand out no matter what. Just be yourself," she said before leaving, her words lingering in the air.

I shut my laptop and lay back, staring at the ceiling, questioning if I was making the right decision. I didn't want to keep worrying.

Ruby was right; I needed to enjoy myself. I'd been so focused on being the obedient daughter, but for once, I was going to do what I wanted, even if it meant disobeying my mom. It was just for the summer, after all.

I sat up, excitement bubbling inside me. I was done avoiding Ethan. I couldn't wait to see him and finally tell him how I felt. I didn't want to watch him with anyone.

I took a quick shower, blow-dried my hair, and slipped into a mini skirt and sleeveless tank top. I grabbed my denim jacket from the closet, threw it on, spritzed some cologne, and combed my hair, letting it cascade down my back. I didn't bother with ribbons; I just left it free. After slipping on my sneakers, I caught my reflection in the vanity mirror.

A lonely young woman stared back at me, but I knew I had to wear a perfect smile tonight to make my troubles disappear.

Ruby picked me up on time, and my heart raced as we walked through the hallways. Outside the farmhouse, the lawn was full of coworkers laughing and chatting.

I scanned the crowd for Ethan, but Ruby tugged me toward a nearby table where Jonathan sat, grinning.

"Finally, the muse has arrived," he mumbled, making me blush beside him.

"Excuse me for a moment," Ruby whispered, and I nodded, feeling safe and comfortable with Jonathan.

"So, are you ready to party?" he asked as I craned my neck, scanning the area.

"Ethan left for the capital this afternoon with Nicole and her friends," he added. I tried to hide my frustration, turning away to mask my reaction.

"I wasn't looking for him," I replied softly, realizing it might be too late.

"Are you sure?" he asked. I avoided his gaze, focusing instead on the stage where the boys, along with Vince, were setting up the sound system and instruments.

Vince was a natural with the guitar, and I knew he was multi-talented. He could sing like a professional, so before Ethan came to Adriana's farm, Vince had been the hottest guy around.

"Why should I be looking for Ethan?" I asked, trying to hide the truth in my voice.

"Well, you changed after your date with him. You became more focused on work and shut everyone out, even your real friends," he responded, his voice tinged with hurt.

"I'm sorry, Jon. I didn't mean to be like that," I replied.

"I didn't want to pry, but you both seemed different after that date," he continued. I wanted to ask more, but I couldn't risk confirming his suspicion that I was still looking for Ethan.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, darkness enveloped the earth. The strobe lights on the stage flickered to life, illuminating the entire area as the party kicked off. Even our manager was among the crowd. Vince was playing guitar, and Jonathan was on the keyboard.

Then my heart raced as Ethan stepped onto the stage, and the girls erupted in cheers, calling his name. He flashed a smile, his deep dimples on display as if nothing had changed.

It hit me; I was the only one who was heartbroken. Here I stood, watching him like a fool while he reveled in the night, enjoying the attention of his fans.

Ethan sat in front of the drum set, leaving me dumbfounded. The girls shrieked as he struck the drums, and I couldn't deny his talent. He seamlessly transitioned into complex rhythms before starting to sing.

Damn, the guy I loved could sing—and better than Vince. A cold shiver ran through me as I realized I was madly in love with Ethan. Even over the deafening noise, I could hear my heart pounding.

Then, the whole place fell silent as Ethan stood and walked to the center of the stage, microphone in hand, with Vince beside him, guitar ready. Vince strummed, and Ethan's voice filled the air—a love song so beautiful, it could melt any girl's heart.

How I wished he had dedicated that song to me. My heart sank when Nicole walked up to the stage, holding a long-stemmed rose.

The girls cheered, and I stood frozen, watching them, my eyes fixed and unmoving. I wanted to run, but my feet refused to move.

Nicole handed Ethan the rose, and he smiled as he took it from her. He continued singing, slipping his arm around her slender shoulders as the crowd erupted in cheers.

My frenemy was stunning, dressed in a white mini skirt, spaghetti-strap top, and stilettos. She batted her lashes at him, and they looked perfect together. It was clear that I was too late.