But I don't know if he'll come to the hangout place. Maybe I should think things over.

The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across Aria's porch as she sat quietly, her heart heavy with thoughts of Russell.

She had spent the night tossing and turning, unable to shake the feeling that she needed to address the growing distance between them. The weight of unspoken words lingered in the air, and she felt an urge to confront him about what was happening.

Just as she was about to gather her thoughts and head to her destination, Alberta's voice broke the stillness of the morning. "Hey, Aria!" She waved as she approached, a warm smile on her face. "What are you doing out here all alone?"

Aria forced a smile, grateful for the interruption. "Just thinking," she replied, trying to appear nonchalant. But inside, her mind raced with how to navigate the conversation she so desperately wanted to have with Russell.

Alberta, sensing something off, stepped onto the porch and plopped down on the chair beside her. "Thinking about Russell, aren't you?" she asked, a knowing glint in her eyes.

Caught off guard, Aria hesitated. "I mean… maybe," she said, unsure how much to reveal. "He's just been… different lately."

Alberta nodded knowingly, leaning back in her chair. "Yeah, I've noticed. You guys used to be inseparable, and now it's like he's a completely different person." She paused, gauging Aria's reaction. "Do you think there's something going on with him?"

Aria's heart raced as she contemplated the unspoken truth. "I don't know," she admitted, running her fingers through her hair in frustration. "I just feel like I did something wrong. Like I pushed him away or something."

Alberta sighed, glancing out at the street as if searching for the right words. "Or maybe he's feeling something deeper than friendship," she suggested tentatively. "You know how much he admires you, right? It's kind of obvious."

The mention of Russell's admiration sent a jolt through Aria. She shook her head dismissively, trying to quell the flutter of hope that rose in her chest. "We're just friends, Alberta. There's no way he feels that way about me."

"Are you sure?" Alberta pressed, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. "I've seen the way he looks at you, Aria. It's like you're the only person in the room, and he just can't help himself."

Aria's cheeks flushed at the thought. "But he's only sixteen! I'm twenty-three. That's a huge age gap," she countered, attempting to rationalize the situation. The idea that Russell could harbor romantic feelings for her was both exhilarating and terrifying.

"But that doesn't change how he feels," Alberta insisted, her voice firm. "You're both mature for your ages, and I can tell he cares about you. Like, a lot." She paused, leaning in closer. "If you want to confront him about it, I think you should. It could clear the air between you two."

Aria chewed her bottom lip, uncertainty flooding her mind. The thought of confronting Russell made her stomach churn with anxiety. What if she was wrong? What if it ruined everything?

"I just don't want to make things awkward," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if he really doesn't feel anything, and I ruin our friendship?"

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Alberta studied her closely, concern etched on her face. "Aria, what's more awkward—addressing it or letting it fester? You two are already walking on eggshells around each other. Isn't it better to know the truth?"

As much as she wanted to agree with Alberta, Aria couldn't shake the dread that settled in her stomach. What if Russell truly didn't reciprocate those feelings?

She envisioned the conversations that would follow—a painful unraveling of their friendship that might leave them both shattered. The idea of losing Russell entirely was a risk she wasn't sure she was willing to take.

"I just need to think about it," Aria finally said, the words feeling heavy on her tongue. "Maybe I'll talk to him… just not yet."

Alberta's eyes softened with understanding. "That's okay too. Just don't ignore it forever, alright? You deserve to know how he feels, and so does he."

After a moment of silence, Alberta stood up, brushing off her jeans. "How about we grab some coffee? I could use a pick-me-up, and it might help clear your head."

Grateful for the distraction, Aria nodded and followed Alberta down the porch steps. As they walked to the nearby coffee shop, Aria couldn't shake the thoughts swirling in her mind.

Alberta's words echoed in her head, a persistent reminder of the tension that lay between her and Russell.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee enveloped them as they entered the shop, the comforting ambiance wrapping around her like a warm blanket. Aria ordered her usual caramel latte, while Alberta opted for a strong black coffee.

They settled into a cozy corner table, the chatter of other customers providing a soothing backdrop.

"So, how's the writing coming along?" Alberta asked, sipping her drink. "Have you made any progress?"

Aria shrugged, stirring her latte absentmindedly. "It's been rough. I've hit a bit of a block lately," she admitted, trying to divert the conversation away from Russell, if only for a moment. "It's like my creativity is just… gone."

Alberta tilted her head in sympathy. "Writer's block happens to everyone. Maybe you need a change of scenery? Or a new inspiration?"

"I don't know. I just feel stuck," Aria confessed, the frustration bubbling to the surface. "And it doesn't help that everything feels so complicated right now."

"Complicated how?" Alberta pressed, leaning forward with genuine interest.

Aria sighed, considering her words carefully. "Just… with Russell. I want to talk to him about everything, but I keep thinking about the potential fallout. What if it changes things? What if he doesn't feel the same way?"

Alberta raised her eyebrows, clearly intrigued. "But what if he does? You can't let fear dictate your choices. Life's too short to be scared of what-ifs."

Her friend's encouragement reignited the flicker of hope within Aria, but the fear of uncertainty still lingered in the back of her mind. "You're right," she acknowledged, "but it's so much easier said than done."

After a thoughtful pause, Alberta offered a soft smile. "Just remember, you're not alone in this. You have people who care about you. And whether you end up with Russell or not, your friendship means a lot to both of you. Don't throw that away because you're afraid."

Feeling comforted by Alberta's words, Aria took a deep breath. Perhaps it was time to stop avoiding the truth. But as they finished their coffees and stepped back into the sunshine, the weight of her thoughts returned, heavier than before.

Later that evening, Aria found herself back on her porch, the stars twinkling overhead.

She couldn't shake the thoughts of what Alberta had said—Russell's potential feelings for her and the possibility of confronting him about them. But for now, she decided to let the idea simmer, letting the tension ease a little.

With a sigh, she picked up her laptop and began typing, hoping to channel her restless energy into her writing. As the words flowed onto the page, she found solace in the familiar rhythm, but the nagging curiosity about Russell lingered like a ghost at the edge of her thoughts.

Deep down, she knew she couldn't keep avoiding the inevitable. Whether it was fear of rejection or a longing for something more, the truth would eventually rise to the surface.

Until then, she would continue to navigate the delicate dance of their friendship, hoping that, one day, she would find the courage to confront the distance that had settled between them.

And as she stared into the night sky, Aria made a silent promise to herself: she wouldn't let fear dictate her actions anymore. She would face whatever came next with an open heart, ready to embrace the possibilities that awaited her, no matter the outcome.