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MidReal Story
Battle of the Sexes
Scenario:When Rebecca Phoenix a wallflower who only focuses on being as invisible as possible and getting good grades for college goes to her first high school party in her senior year. She hopes nothing crazy happens. Imagine the horror when she somehow ends up in the same room with Apollo Blackwood, the most wanted guy in school who just happens to be a playboy and a game of 'spin the battle' is played.
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Rebecca Phoenix
first_person_protagonist, female. She is a high school senior and a straightlaced student aiming for college. She is shy, diligent, and cautious. Rebecca has never attended a high school party before, fearing it might end badly. At her first party, she accidentally gets mixed up with the wrong girl and finds herself in a compromising situation with Apollo Blackwood, the most popular but notorious guy in school. Her close call leaves her shaken and questioning her decision to attend such events.
Apollo Blackwood
side_character, male. He is the most popular and coveted student at their high school, often labeled as a "playboy." He is charismatic, noncommittal, and attractive. Apollo gets caught up in a misunderstanding at a party when he thinks another girl is his date. Despite his reputation, he shows some vulnerability when he tries to make things right with Rebecca after discovering she was not his actual date. His encounter with Rebecca leaves him regretful and reflective.
"Rebecca, you're such a loser. You don't even know how to make friends."
I've heard this phrase repeated by my classmates countless times during the past three years.
They think I'm just a bookworm who only cares about grades and getting into a good college.
Well, they're right.
I do focus on being as invisible as possible and getting good grades so that I can go to college.
I've never had the courage to attend any high school party, fearing that something crazy would happen and my reputation would be ruined.
But now, I'm in my senior year, and I've decided to attend my first high school party ever.
I've only been here for a few minutes, and so far, it's been okay.
Nothing crazy has happened yet.
"Hey!"
Someone bumps into me behind the bar.
I turn around and see a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a red dress.
She looks like she just stepped out of a magazine.
"Hey, are you the girl Apollo Blackwood is looking for?"
The girl asks me.
I frown, confused.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The girl rolls her eyes.
"Whatever. I was supposed to meet him here tonight, but I'm running late. He's probably looking for another girl by now."
"Who's Apollo Blackwood?"
I ask, my curiosity piqued.
The girl raises an eyebrow at me.
"You don't know who Apollo Blackwood is?"
She shakes her head, laughing.
"Wow. You really are a loser."
She turns around and walks away, leaving me feeling confused and embarrassed.
I lean against the bar counter, my fingers tracing condensation on a glass of soda while trying to place the name Apollo Blackwood.
A group of giggling girls nearby provides the answer as they gush about his latest football victory and perfect hair.
Their excited chatter confirms my suspicion - he's that notorious senior who changes girlfriends faster than his designer clothes.
The blonde girl's words nag at me as I observe the party from my corner.
More students pour in, the music gets louder, and the crowd pushes me toward a hallway.
"Rebecca, right?" a voice calls out from behind me, and I turn to see a tall guy with striking green eyes.
"Uh, yeah, that's me," I reply hesitantly, wondering if this is Apollo.
"I'm Apollo Blackwood," he says with a smirk, "and I've been looking for you all night."
I freeze as Apollo leans against the bar counter next to me, his cologne overwhelming my senses.
My hands grip my untouched drink tighter while I try to process his words.
The party's loud music pounds in my ears, making it difficult to think clearly.
Other students around us start whispering and pointing, their stares burning into my back.
Taking a deep breath, I gather my courage and turn to face him directly.
His confident smirk falters slightly when our eyes meet, and I notice a flash of uncertainty cross his face.
"Rebecca," he repeats, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and confusion.
"You're not Cassidy, are you?"
I shake my head, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks.
"No, I'm Rebecca."
The blonde girl in the red dress must be Cassidy.
Apollo straightens up, maintaining eye contact as whispers ripple through the growing crowd.
"I was supposed to meet her here tonight," he explains, running a hand through his dark hair.
"I guess she's running late."
I set my untouched drink on the bar counter and turn to leave, feeling overwhelmed by the situation.
As I try to slip away from the bar, Apollo's warm fingers wrap around my forearm, stopping me mid-step.
The contact sends an unexpected jolt through my body, making me stumble.
He steadies me, his touch lingering longer than necessary.
Behind him, I spot a group of students sitting in a circle on the floor, an empty bottle placed in the center.
They're counting heads and pointing at empty spaces.
Apollo leans closer, his breath tickling my ear as he explains they need one more girl for spin the bottle.
My heart races as I notice several students watching us, waiting for my response.
I open my mouth to refuse, but Apollo's hopeful expression makes me hesitate.
"Come on," he urges, his voice filled with persuasion.
"It'll be fun. You can be the one to make it happen."
I glance around at the expectant faces of our classmates, their eyes filled with anticipation and curiosity about what will happen next.
"Why me?" I ask, trying to mask my nervousness with a casual shrug.
Apollo grins, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Because sometimes the unexpected choice is the most interesting one."
I follow Apollo to the circle of students sitting cross-legged on the floor, my legs shaking with each step.
The players shift to make room, their curious stares burning into me as I lower myself onto the carpet between a girl in a sequined top and Apollo himself.
The empty beer bottle gleams under the dim party lights at the center of our circle.
Someone explains the rules - spin, kiss, no exceptions.
My throat tightens as I watch the current player reach for the bottle.
Apollo's knee brushes against mine, and I catch him watching me with an unreadable expression.
My shaking hand reaches for the glass bottle as the circle falls silent.
The sequined girl beside me shifts away, while Apollo's knee remains pressed against mine.
Sweat dampens my palms as I grasp the bottle, its smooth surface cool against my skin.
Time seems to slow as I give it a firm twist.
The bottle spins rapidly on the wooden floor, creating a soft whirring sound barely audible over my pounding heart.
Students lean forward, their faces eager and expectant.
The bottle begins to slow, wobbling as it rotates.
It finally comes to a stop, pointing directly at Apollo.
He chuckles softly, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
"Well, looks like fate has a sense of humor tonight," he says, turning to face me with a playful grin.
"Looks like we're the lucky ones," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper.
The sequined girl next to me squeals excitedly, her eyes fixed on us.
The air is thick with anticipation as Apollo and I sit in silence, the tension between us palpable.
He leans forward, his face inches from mine, and I can feel the warmth of his breath on my skin.
I close my eyes, trying to steady my breathing as his lips brush against mine in a soft, gentle kiss.
The room around us fades away, leaving only the two of us in this moment.
Time seems to slow as our lips meet, the world outside melting away.
I feel a rush of emotions - surprise, excitement, nervousness - all swirling together in a whirlwind of sensations.
The party noise rushes back as I break the kiss, my lips still tingling.
Apollo's eyes widen at my whispered question, and his usual confident demeanor falters.
He opens his mouth to respond but is interrupted by gasps and squeals from the circle of players.
Someone shouts "Get a room!" while another player already reaches for the bottle to continue the game.
Apollo stands abruptly, extending his hand to help me up.
"Let's get some air," he says, loud enough for others to hear.
I stare at Apollo's outstretched hand, my fingers still tingling from our kiss.
The party's bass thumps behind us while other players continue their game, throwing knowing glances our way.
My palm feels clammy as I place it in his larger one.
Apollo's fingers close around mine, warm and steady, as he helps me up from the circle.
We weave through the crowded living room, past clusters of students who fall silent and track our movement.
He guides me toward the back door, maintaining his grip on my hand.
When he slides the glass door open, I step through first, the evening breeze hitting my heated cheeks.
The cool air is a welcome relief from the stuffy atmosphere inside.
I take a deep breath, letting the scent of blooming flowers fill my lungs.
The backyard is dimly lit, with only a few string lights hanging from the trees.
Apollo closes the door behind us, the noise of the party muffled.
"Did you feel it too?" he asks, his voice low and serious.
I nod, my heart racing. "I didn't expect that... it was like everything else disappeared."
Apollo and I stand close together on the dimly lit patio, our shoulders almost touching.
The party's bass thumps faintly through the glass doors behind us.
When I grip the wooden railing, Apollo's hand covers mine, warm and steady.
My heart races as he turns to face me, his usual playboy confidence replaced by an uncertain expression.
The garden lights cast shadows across his face while crickets chirp in the background.
Moths flutter around the porch light as we both struggle to find words.
Apollo finally breaks the silence, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I've never felt that with anyone else before," he admits, his eyes searching mine for understanding.
I swallow hard, my mind racing. "What does this mean for us?"
I shift uncomfortably on the patio as Apollo's words sink in.
His hand still rests on mine, but the warmth feels different now.
Inside, his friends press against the glass door, watching us with obvious curiosity.
Apollo notices them too and subtly creates distance between us.
"My friends can be... intense," he explains, glancing back at the party.
When someone opens the door to call him inside, he hesitates.
"Give me your phone," he whispers quickly, adding his number before disappearing into the crowd.
I lean against the patio railing after Apollo leaves, my phone heavy in my hand with his new contact information.
The garden lights cast shadows across the empty space where he stood moments ago.
Through the glass door, I see him laughing with his friends, already back in his element.
My lips still tingle from our kiss, but doubt creeps in as I watch him seamlessly return to his popular crowd.
When a drunk couple stumbles onto the patio, I take it as my cue.
I slip back inside, weaving through the throng of partygoers until I find a quiet corner.
My best friend, Lila, spots me and rushes over, concern etched on her face.
"What happened out there? You look like you've seen a ghost," she says, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Come on, let's talk in private," I suggest, pulling Lila toward a secluded window seat away from the party noise.
My hands still tremble slightly as I settle into the seat.
Lila leans in close, her voice barely above a whisper.
"So, what happened? You just vanished. Was it that bad?"
She asks, her eyes filled with worry.
"No, it was actually pretty great," I admit, a smile creeping onto my face.
I take a deep breath and begin to recount the events of the evening.
"I was at the bar getting a drink when Apollo Blackwood approached me. He seemed nice and we talked for a bit. Then he suggested playing spin-the-bottle. I couldn't say no to that."
I pause, collecting my thoughts.
"It was like everything around us just faded away."
I glance down at my phone, remembering the way he looked at me before we kissed.
"Then things got really crazy when he took me outside on the patio. It felt so surreal."
Lila's eyes widen as I tell her about our kiss.
"Wow, you really did have a wild night," she exclaims.
"And then there's this," I add, pulling out my phone and showing her Apollo's text: "Meet me tomorrow at lunch?"
Lila gasps in disbelief.
"He wants to see you again? That's incredible!" she exclaims. As we continue talking, a group of girls walk by, their eyes fixed on me.
They whisper something to each other, pointing in my direction.
I sink deeper into the window seat, trying not to draw attention to myself.
Lila notices their gaze and leans closer to me.
"Don't let them bother you," she says reassuringly.
"You deserve this moment of excitement. Enjoy it!"
She grabs my phone from my hand and starts typing furiously on it.
"What are you doing?" I ask curiously.
"Checking if that really is Apollo's number," she responds with a grin.
"You never know; maybe someone played a prank on you."
But when she sees his name pop up in her contacts list too, her expression changes.
"Okay, that's definitely him," Lila confirms, handing the phone back with a satisfied nod.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"So, are you going to meet him tomorrow?" she asks, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
I gather my belongings while Lila continues gushing about Apollo's lunch invitation.
My hands shake as I zip up my jacket, still feeling overwhelmed by tonight's events.
Through the living room window, I spot Apollo surrounded by his usual crowd, including the blonde in red who finally arrived.
He catches my eye briefly but turns back to his friends.
I check my phone one last time, seeing his number saved there.
I stand by my car in the dark driveway, typing and retyping the text message while watching Apollo through the living room window.
He's laughing with his arm around the blonde in red - Cassidy, his original date.
My fingers hover over the send button as I watch them together.
The party continues inside, but I feel disconnected from it all now.
When Cassidy kisses his cheek and he doesn't pull away, I finally hit send.
The message delivers with a soft ping, and I see Apollo reach for his phone.
I turn away, knowing I've made my choice.
I grip my steering wheel tightly, hands shaking as I try to start my car.
Through my rearview mirror, I spot Apollo pushing through the crowd and exiting the house.
My key won't turn in the ignition as panic sets in.
He walks faster now, his expression intense under the streetlights.
Other students pause their conversations to watch him approach my car.
I finally get the engine running, but before I can shift into drive, Apollo reaches my window.
His knuckles rap against the glass, and his voice carries through clearly: "Rebecca, please wait."
I roll down the window, my heart pounding.
"What do you want, Apollo?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
He takes a deep breath, his eyes searching mine. "I need to explain about Cassidy," he says urgently.
I grip my steering wheel tighter as Apollo leans into my car window, his cologne mixing with the night air.
My fingers hover over the gear shift while he tries to explain about Cassidy.
Other students gather on the front lawn, pointing at us and pulling out their phones.
Apollo's friends call out to him from the porch.
When he glances back at them, I see my chance.
"There's nothing to explain. I get it. It was just a game," I say quickly, shifting into drive.
Apollo steps back, startled.
"Go back inside before your friends see you talking to me."
I drive away, leaving him standing alone under the streetlights.
I drive through dark streets with blurred vision, my tears making the streetlights stretch into long streaks.
My hands grip the wheel too tightly as I take the long way home, avoiding main roads where party-goers might see me.
Each time I blink, I replay the moment - Apollo's kiss, his touch on the patio, then watching him with Cassidy.
My chest aches with embarrassment.
At a red light, I slam my palm against the steering wheel, angry at myself for falling for the game.
I park in my driveway and sit in the dark car, watching raindrops slide down the windshield.
My phone buzzes with three texts from Apollo, but I delete them without reading.
Inside my room, I methodically remove my party clothes and scrub off my makeup, erasing all traces of tonight.
While hanging up my jacket, I catch the lingering scent of his cologne and quickly shove it in the laundry basket.
At my desk, I open my planner and focus on tomorrow's schedule, mapping out routes through school that avoid Apollo's usual spots.
The next morning, as I weave through the crowded hallway, I hear a familiar voice behind me.
"Rebecca, wait up!" It's Sarah, breathless and wide-eyed.
She catches up to me and whispers urgently, "I overheard Apollo talking to his friends—he said it wasn't just a game."
I walk briskly through the crowded hallway, clutching my textbooks tightly against my chest as Sarah trails behind me.
She persists in describing how Apollo defended our kiss to his friends during morning practice, but I focus on counting the classroom doors we pass.
My shoes squeak against the linoleum floor as I quicken my pace.
When Sarah grabs my arm to stop me, mentioning that Apollo is looking for me, I yank free and duck into the nearest bathroom.
Sarah follows me inside, her voice echoing off the tiled walls.
"Rebecca, listen, he said he wants to explain everything to you," she insists, eyes wide with urgency.
I shake my head, staring at my reflection in the mirror. "Why should I believe him now?"
I grip my backpack straps and push past Sarah in the bathroom, my shoes squeaking against the tile floor.
She calls after me about Apollo's genuine intentions, but I keep walking.
In the crowded hallway, I spot Apollo waiting by my locker with his signature leather jacket and messy hair.
Students whisper and point as I approach.
Instead of stopping, I walk straight past him, keeping my eyes forward.
"Rebecca, wait," he calls out, but I cut through the science wing to reach my classroom.
Apollo's voice echoes down the hallway, desperation lacing his words.
"Please, just give me five minutes to explain," he pleads, stepping into my path.
I pause, glancing at him with a mix of anger and curiosity.
"Rebecca," he says, his voice low and urgent.
"I need to talk to you."
I stand in the empty science wing facing Apollo, my hands clenched around my textbooks.
His usual confident demeanor cracks as he takes a step toward me, but I back away.
Students peek through classroom windows, phones ready to record.
Apollo reaches for my arm, but I jerk away, my books tumbling to the floor.
As he bends to help, I snap at him about being a playboy, about Cassidy, about how I won't be another conquest.
His face falls, hand frozen mid-reach.
The bell rings, and students pour into the hallway.
"Rebecca, it's not what you think," Apollo says, his voice barely audible over the chaos.
I shake my head, gathering my books. "Then tell me what it is, Apollo."
He hesitates, glancing around before meeting my eyes. "Cassidy and I broke up weeks ago—she just didn't want anyone to know."
I stare at him, my chest tight with anger and betrayal.
"Convenient, don't you think," I say coldly, giving him a disgusted look.
Apollo runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident.
"She was using me to make someone else jealous," he admits, voice tinged with regret.
I narrow my eyes, searching his face for any hint of deceit.
"Who," I demand, my voice rising.
"Who was she trying to make jealous."
Apollo glances around, ensuring no one is listening.
"It doesn't matter," he says finally.
"What matters is that I didn't know about it until it was too late."
I shake my head, my eyes welling up with tears.
"Why did you play along with her," I ask, my voice trembling.
Apollo's shoulders slump, and he looks down at the floor.
"I was stupid," he admits.
"I thought I could handle it."
I take a deep breath, trying to process everything he's telling me.
"You're telling me that Cassidy planned all of this," I say slowly.
"That she wanted to make someone else jealous, and she used you and me to do it."
Apollo nods, his eyes filled with regret.
"I'm so sorry, Rebecca," he says softly. "You should be sorry," I say, my voice cold.
"You should be sorry for playing with people's feelings like this."
He reaches out for my hand, but I pull away.
"Don't touch me," I hiss, backing away from him.
He takes a step forward, his eyes filled with apology.
"Rebecca," he says softly.
"Please listen—"
"No," I say firmly.
"I don't want to hear anything else from you."
I turn and walk away from him, leaving him standing there alone in the science wing.
"Rebecca, wait," Apollo calls after me, desperation in his voice.
"I know I messed up, but I need you to understand why."
I pause for a moment, my back still turned to him.
I slide into my seat in AP Chemistry, hands trembling as I pull out my notebook.
Apollo's texts keep lighting up my phone - three messages about meeting at his motorcycle during lunch.
The girl next to me notices and whispers that she saw us in the science wing.
I silence my phone but can't stop glancing at it, remembering how his lips felt during our kiss.
The teacher starts discussing molecular bonds while I absently doodle motorcycles in my notebook margins.
I sit alone in my bedroom after dinner, staring at my phone as Apollo's lengthy text appears.
My hands shake while reading his detailed explanation of how Cassidy manipulated him, using their fake relationship to make her ex-boyfriend jealous.
He admits feeling trapped in the charade until meeting me at the party.
When he describes our kiss as "unexpectedly real," my chest tightens.
His words seem genuine as he takes full responsibility for hurting me.
Just as I finish reading, another text arrives: "Can we start over?"
I pace my bedroom floor while re-reading Apollo's text for the tenth time, his words about our kiss being "unexpectedly real" making my stomach flutter.
When another message arrives asking to meet tomorrow before class, I sit heavily on my bed.
Photos from the party circulate on social media, showing our spin-the-bottle moment and patio conversation.
Comments speculate whether I'm Apollo's next target.
I pick up my phone to respond but stop, remembering how easily he played along with Cassidy's scheme.
My finger hovers over the keyboard, and I finally type, "Why should I trust you now?"
Apollo's reply is almost instant: "Because this time, it's real."
I hesitate, then type back, "Meet me at the coffee shop before school tomorrow."
I arrive early at the coffee shop, choosing a corner table where other students can't easily see us.
My hands wrap around my untouched latte as I rehearse my prepared speech about friendship and trust.
When Apollo walks in wearing his signature leather jacket, several girls turn to stare.
He orders quickly and joins me, his usual confidence replaced by nervous energy.
Before he can speak, I cut him off and explain my position - I'm willing to give him a chance, but only as friends.
His face falls slightly, but he nods, admitting he deserves my caution.
"I understand why you're hesitant to trust me, and I don't blame you," Apollo says, his voice filled with sincerity.
"But I want to prove to you that I'm genuinely interested in getting to know you, and I'm willing to do it the right way."
He pauses for a moment, collecting his thoughts.
"Here's what I propose: we start over with a clean slate. We'll take things slow and get to know each other as friends first. We can have weekly 'friendly dates' where we do something low-key together. Maybe we can study at the library, grab lunch between classes, or even just walk around campus together."
I listen intently as Apollo outlines his plan.
His eyes light up with excitement as he describes all the fun things we could do together.
I find myself nodding along, caught up in his enthusiasm.
"I think that sounds like a good idea," I say finally.
"But I have one condition: we have to keep things platonic. No kissing, no touching, no anything romantic."
Apollo nods vigorously, his face set in determination.
"Absolutely," he says.
"I promise I'll respect your boundaries."
He pulls out his phone and opens his calendar app.
"Let's schedule our first friendly date for next Wednesday. How about we meet at the library at 3 pm?"
I nod again, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.
It looks like Apollo is really going to make an effort to win me back.
"Sounds good," I say.
"And just to clarify, this is strictly a friendship thing. No expectations of anything more." "Got it," Apollo says, jotting down some notes on his phone.
"No expectations of anything more than friendship."
He looks up at me, his eyes shining with sincerity.
"I promise I'll respect your boundaries and make sure we keep things platonic."
I nod once more, feeling a sense of hope rising up inside me.
As I leave the coffee shop, I realize that maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something genuine.
I sit with Apollo in the library for our first study session, watching him highlight his history textbook.
Cassidy walks by our table in her red dress, Apollo barely glancing up.
But minutes later, a cheerleader stops to chat with him, touching his arm and laughing at everything he says.
He responds with his signature charming smile, though his knee stays pressed against mine under the table.
The cheerleader invites him to a party this weekend.
My stomach tightens as Apollo accepts while giving me a sideways look.
I pretend to focus on my notes, refusing to show how much this bothers me.
Once the cheerleader leaves, I turn to Apollo, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Are you planning on going to that party?" I ask, my eyes fixed on my notebook.
He hesitates for a moment before answering, "Only if you're okay with it."
I force a smile while packing my books, avoiding Apollo's searching gaze.
My hands shake slightly as I organize my notes, remembering how the cheerleader's perfectly manicured fingers lingered on his arm.
Apollo leans forward, his knee still pressed against mine under the library table.
"Come with me," he suggests quietly.
I pause, caught between wanting to maintain our friendship boundaries and the fear of him attending another party without me.
The memory of finding him with Cassidy last time flashes through my mind.
"I'm not really a party person," I say, trying to sound casual.
"But you should go. You can text me afterward if you want."
Apollo's shoulders slump slightly as he watches me stand up and walk away.
I don't look back, focusing on the steady rhythm of my footsteps as I make my way to my locker.
The familiar scent of old books and worn wood fills my senses, providing a sense of comfort.
I pause in front of my locker, taking a deep breath to steady myself.
I remind myself that it's safer to maintain distance than risk another party disaster.
I glance out the window, watching Apollo mount his motorcycle alone.
I sit alone in my bedroom scrolling through social media posts from the party.
Photos show Apollo dancing, drinking, and eventually disappearing with a girl in a silver dress.
My stomach churns as I see them kissing in the background of someone's selfie.
Though we agreed to be just friends, seeing these images hurts more than expected.
I close my laptop and try to focus on homework, but keep checking my phone.
Apollo hasn't texted since the party ended.
I realize that sometimes, silence speaks louder than words.
I sit cross-legged on my bed, staring at the party photos while my chest tightens.
Each swipe reveals another image of Apollo with the silver-dressed girl.
I delete our text thread and his contact information, but my finger hovers over the unfriend button on social media.
The logical part of my brain reminds me we're just friends - he can kiss whoever he wants.
Still, I grip my pillow tightly and force myself to take slow breaths like my therapist taught me.
I curl up in bed with my phone, refreshing social media one last time to see Apollo and Silver Dress Girl leaving the party together in his car.
My stomach churns as I imagine them at his place.
When Sarah texts asking if I've seen the photos, I ignore her message and throw my phone across the room.
It lands with a thud on my carpet.
I grab my pillow, squeezing it against my chest while hot tears spill onto my cheeks.
The next morning, my phone buzzes with a message from Apollo.
"Hey, can we talk? There's something I need to tell you."
I hesitate before replying, "Sure, but only if you're ready to be honest."
I park my car at the café, arriving fifteen minutes early to collect my thoughts.
Through the window, I watch Apollo pull up on his motorcycle, his leather jacket wrinkled and hair messy from the helmet.
He spots me immediately but pauses outside, checking his reflection in the window and adjusting his clothes.
When he enters, the usual confidence is gone from his walk.
He orders a black coffee and sits across from me, his hands wrapped tightly around the cup.
The photos of him with the silver dress girl flash in my mind as he opens his mouth to speak.
"Hey," he says, his voice cracking.
"I'm sorry I didn't text you last night. I was with my family."
He glances at me, then looks away.
I don't respond, and we sit in silence for a few minutes.
The morning sunlight streams through the café window, highlighting the dark circles under his eyes.
He keeps starting to say something, then stopping and running his hand through his messy hair.
I grip my coffee cup tightly and wait for him to explain what happened at the party.
Finally, I ask, "What happened with the girl in the silver dress?"
He looks up at me, his eyes filled with regret.
"I'm sorry. She reminded me of you. And when we played 'spin the bottle,' she spun it and it landed on me. We had to kiss."
He pauses again, taking a sip of his coffee.
"But kissing her felt wrong. Like I was betraying you."
I stare at him, trying to process his words.
"Betraying me? But you're not mine."
I shake my head and look away.
"I'm sorry," he says again, his voice cracking.
"I care about you, Becca. And I feel like I messed everything up."
I look back at him, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Cared about me?"
I repeat, my voice barely above a whisper.
"What do you mean?"
He takes another sip of his coffee before answering.
"I mean... I really like you. And I want to be with you. But I messed everything up." My hands start shaking as I hold my coffee cup tightly.
"Wait... what?"
I stammer out, spilling some of my coffee onto the table.
"I left the party early," he continues, his words coming out in a rush.
"I couldn't stop thinking about you. And then I saw the photos online and I felt sick. I didn't want to hurt you."
The café is bustling around us, with people laughing and chatting, but all I can focus on is Apollo's words.
My chest feels like it's going to explode as he explains how empty the kiss felt, how he left the party early, and how he couldn't stop thinking about me.
I fight back tears as I listen to him.
"That hurts," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
"But remember we are just friends right now. You don't have to explain anything to me."
I reach across the table and take his hand, which is still trembling as he holds his coffee cup.
Apollo's fingers tighten around mine as his explanation dies on his lips.
"I'm sorry, Becca," he says softly, his eyes searching mine.
"I just needed you to know how I feel, even if it changes nothing."
I nod slowly, feeling the weight of his words settle between us like a fragile truce.
We sit there for a moment, our hands still joined on the table.
His thumb traces circles on my palm, and I can feel the warmth of his touch spreading through me.
Other customers glance curiously at us, but I don't care.
"So... does this mean we can be more than friends?"
Apollo asks, his voice filled with hope.
I pull my hand away from his and stir my cold coffee with a spoon.
I can feel his eyes on me, waiting for an answer.
"I don't know," I say finally, glancing up at him.
"I need some time to think."
Apollo nods, his face falling slightly.
"Okay," he says softly.
"I understand."
I reach across the table and take his hand again, squeezing it gently.
"Just give me some time, okay?"
He nods again, his eyes searching mine.
"Okay," he repeats.
"I'll give you all the time you need."
We sit there in silence for a moment, our hands clasped together on the table.
The café is bustling around us, but all I can focus on is the warmth of Apollo's hand in mine. "So... what happens now?"
Apollo asks finally, breaking the silence between us.
I look up at him, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me.
"I don't know," I admit honestly.
"I need some time to think about everything that's happened."
Apollo nods slowly, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Okay," he says softly.
"I understand. But can I ask one thing?"
"Of course," I reply, my heart pounding in my chest.
"What is it?"
Apollo takes a deep breath before speaking.
"Do you still want to be friends?"
I hesitate for a moment before answering.
"Yes," I say finally, my voice barely above a whisper.
"But we need to take things slow. We need to rebuild trust."
Apollo nods again, his face filled with understanding.
"Okay," he says softly.
"I'll do whatever it takes to make things right between us."
I smile weakly at him, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me.
"Thank you," I say finally, my voice filled with gratitude. Apollo reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone.
He scrolls through it for a moment before handing it to me.
"What's this?"
I ask curiously as I take the phone from him.
"It's proof that I've deleted all of my dating apps," he explains softly.
"I want you to know that I'm serious about making things right between us."
I look at the screen, surprised by his gesture.
"Wow, Apollo," I say, my voice tinged with disbelief.
"That's a big step."