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MidReal Story
Whispers on the Grassy Hill
Scenario:Two best friends, Xio and Zeph, have been inseparable since kindergarten. But when freshman year of high school comes around, Xio falls in love with Zeph. She’s too afraid to confess her feelings, fearing it will ruin what they have.
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I’m in love with my best friend.
And I have no idea how to handle it.
Xio and Zeph sit on the grassy hill behind their school, watching a giant snail slowly make its way across the football field.
Various birds flit and flutter about, but Xio barely notices them as she considers her dilemma.
Kindergarten through eighth grade, she and Zeph have been inseparable.
Various other friends came in and out, but Xio and Zeph remained constant.
They were the duo that everyone else envied.
Various people tried to break them up, but they succeeded in nothing.
High school has changed things.
Various new people, various new friendships.
Xio and Zeph are still best friends, but things are different now.
Various subtle differences that have caused Xio to realize her feelings for him go far beyond friendship.
She’s in love with Zeph.
The snail’s deliberate pace reminds her to be cautious, yet bold in what she does next.
Various thoughts whirl through her mind as she considers confessing her feelings.
What if he doesn’t feel the same?
What if he’s grossed out?
I nod, forcing a smile, as Zeph points out the intricate patterns on the snail's shell, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
The afternoon sun casts a warm glow over the grassy hill, and I can feel its gentle heat on my skin, but my heart remains frozen in anxiety.
Zeph leans back, his elbows digging into the grass, and begins to talk about an upcoming science project involving shells.
I listen intently, trying to focus on the details of the project, but my mind keeps drifting back to the metaphorical shell I've built around my feelings.
As Zeph describes the different types of shells they'll be studying, I muster up the courage to take a small step forward.
"Hey, Zeph, that sounds like a really cool project," I say, trying to sound casual. "We should work on it together."
Zeph's face lights up with enthusiasm. "That would be awesome! We could divide up the research and make it a joint presentation."
I nod vigorously, trying to hide my true intentions. "Exactly! It'll be just like old times, working together on a project."
As we continue to discuss the project, I can feel my heart racing with anticipation.
Is this really going to work? Can I really hint at my feelings through a shared interest in shells?
Zeph hands me the snail's shell, and I take it, feeling the smooth surface and the gentle weight of it in my hand.
"Look at this pattern," he says, pointing to a delicate spiral design. "Isn't it amazing?"
I nod, still feeling the shell's texture, as Zeph's fingers brush against mine.
Suddenly, the snail pokes its head out of its shell, and I jump, startled.
Zeph laughs. "Sorry about that! I guess our little friend is ready to move on."
As we both stand up, brushing off our pants, I realize that I'm not ready to move on from this moment just yet.
But before I can say anything else, Zeph takes off running down the hill, shouting something about beating me to the cafeteria.
I watch him go, feeling a mix of frustration and excitement.