🍁"I was social distancing before it was cool"🍁

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Kyler's P.O.V.

I took a deep breath in and exhale out. I was annoyed. I was pissed. Again, what am I exactly doing outside her house? Bryce Decker rejected my proposal and said yes to my brother for lunch. But here I'm working as a fuc**ng chauffeur. Why? Because Caleb begged me to drive Bryce in his car because he had to meet his girlfriend Olin. He took my bike with him. I hope my baby bike is safe. I don't trust anyone with my bike. Caleb is an exception but I'm still doubtful.

Leaving a disappointed sigh again, I glanced again at the entrance of her house. Why did she reject me? What exactly am I lacking? I'm being such a nice guy to her. I respect her. I never hurt her feelings. Okay maybe, I have read her diary which I should not have but isn't that one mistake unapologetic? I did say sorry.

Forget it. She just hates you. It's her call, my mind said.

I saw the main door opening. I quickly glanced at my reflection in the mirror. Wait a second. Why am I even concerned about how I look? She does not get impressed anyways. I feel she has some sort of Kyler repellant pendant or something with her. It must be a gift from that annoying girl Kimberly. I can't stand that friend of Bryce ever.

I looked up and saw her. The moment my eyes fell on her beautiful sun-kissed face, I forgot how to breathe. My eyes forgot how to even blink. I couldn't look away. She was walking towards the car with her eyes fixed to the ground. She's so gorgeous. Her beauty isn't only confided to her outer appearance but it also includes the way her eyes held nervousness, the way her posture depicts how she's feeling out of place and exposed, the way her hands hold the bag tightly because of the insecurities she's holding inside her heart, that's what makes my heart melt. She's uncomfortable still she takes so much effort for the one guy she likes, for the one guy who doesn't even know about her feelings for him, for the one guy who she knows can never be hers and yet she loves me. Anyone would die to have this one-sided pure love. Caleb is a lucky bast**d. I envy him. Period.

She opened the car's door and sat inside. I regretted it so much. I was so immersed in admiring her that I forgot to do the chivalry. She put on the seat belt and then glanced at me. I was staring at her shamelessly already.

"Shall we go?", She asked. I stared at her beautiful black onyx eyes who were not hidden behind the glasses today. Her brown hair were braided and some strands were left loose. The small earrings were adding grace to her whole look.

Why doesn't she show up like this everyday?, I thought.

In a way it's good that she doesn't, else there'll be tons of guys going after her, My mind replied.

I gulped nervously and said, "You look really beautiful". I admitted.

Her ears and nose turned red and she looked away immediately. She's blushing. How can she be this adorable? God, this is so unfair. I wanna kiss her so badly right now.

Control yourself moron, my mind yelled.

"Thanks", she gave a quick reply and then she looked outside the window. I understand her silence more. Why? Because she never uses words with me. It's always either one-word reply, silent treatment or rudeness. That's all I get from Bryce. I started the car with a thought clouding my mind the whole way.

Why can't she like me?

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The drive was silent the halfway. Bryce was looking outside the window. She didn't utter one single word. The music was filling the silence inside the car. I lowered the volume and mustered the courage to ask her something. I'm being used to of asking her and getting nothing in response still, I'm going to ask. Why?

Because I'm Kyler. I'm shameless.

"Do you like him that much?", I asked cautiously as I glanced at her from the periphery of my eyes. She didn't respond. She kept looking outside the window.

As expected.

"Isn't this hard to like someone despite knowing the fact that they can't be yours?", I again asked. I'm stubborn as well.

This time I saw her leaving a deep sigh. She glanced at me and then she looked in front. "It is hard. It is painful. Seeing him with someone else all happy and in love is heartbreaking. He is my first crush after all. He's special".

"Why don't you move on?", I asked.

"I've moved on. But moving on doesn't mean I'll stop liking him or bury my feelings. He's my crush. My heart will always cherish the beautiful moments I had with him. I will always keep him in my top list of favourites", She said and I frowned.

"What does that mean? You still are head over heels to him. How can you say you've moved on?", I asked.

Bryce is weird.

"I've stopped seeing the future with him. I've stopped expectations of him ever liking me. Isn't that enough? I don't have any hopes from him but my heart can't stop falling for him. It will choose him over and over again", she said and my hold on my steering wheel increased.

Why am I not pleased to hear her answer?

"You'll be hurt in the end", I said slowly. I have seen the pain in her eyes when she witnessed Caleb with his girlfriend Olin for the first time.

"He's worth it", she said and I shut my mouth. Bryce amazes me. Sometimes I feel she doesn't have a heart. I've seen her shutting everyone out. People who care for her, she blocks them out. And Caleb, who has stopped contacting her, who has a girlfriend and has nothing to do with Bryce, actually managed to make a special place in her heart.

Bryce has a lot of love to give but people have to earn that. Once you'll earn it, she will pour her heart to you. I don't regret liking her. She deserves a much better person. Maybe I ain't the lucky one.

My bad luck!!

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I parked the car in the parking area outside the mall and walked out along with Bryce. She gave me a confusing look. I left a deep sigh.

"I need my bike keys from Caleb. I'll leave after that. I've no mood of spoiling your oh so-called date with your crush", I explained.

"I didn't say anything", she said and I passed her a tight smile.

As if I can't hear her silence.

We both walked to the main entrance of the mall. I called Caleb and he told me that he has reached already. Before we could reach our destination, I looked at her. She was nervous and it was written all over her face.

"Will you be okay?", I asked.

"It's Caleb. I'm comfortable with him", she replied and it hurts. She was smiling at the thought of meeting Caleb.

"Okay", I replied. We both walked inside the mall and started looking all around us. My eyes fall on Caleb and he was not alone! I saw Caleb, his girlfriend Olin, his best friend Jake and Jake's girlfriend Pearl. They all were busy taking selfies.

Why has he brought a whole army?

I immediately searched for Bryce. The smile over her face fades away and all I could see was disappointment in her eyes. I could see her black onyx eyes glistening. She must have been felt bad. Caleb should have told her that he'll bring a lot of people. Bryce would never ever have agreed.

"They're waiting for us. Let's go", I said. She looked at me with so much vulnerability in her eyes that it pierced my heart. At this very moment, she looked so devastated that I felt like protecting her. I wanna hug her and comfort her.

She didn't speak. With a small nod, she walked next to me as we approached the group. In no time, four pair of eyes were looking at my direction. I know every single person in this group. They're my friends. Bryce doesn't know them.

"Bryce. You made it finally", Caleb walked away from the group to welcome Bryce. He gave her a friendly hug. Her cheeks were red due to embarrassment. I exchanged my greetings with everyone.

"Bryce, let me introduce you to my friends. You've met my girlfriend, Olin already. He's is Jake, my best buddy and this beautiful lady is Pearl, his girlfriend", Caleb gave a brief introduction.

"And guys, she's Bryce. My only friend who is a girl", he said. Everyone greeted Bryce.

"I've heard a lot about you. I'm so happy to get the chance to sit and finally talk to you", Olin said as she walked and stand next to the Bryce.

Bryce was quiet. She was looking at the floor most of the times. Her eyes met mine a few times but she looked away. I could see the tears forming in the periphery of her eyes. She looked like the lost child who has just been separated from her family. Her dream of having a date with Caleb is shattered. The moment she wanted to cherish for the lifetime never happened.

"Here is your bike key", Caleb said as he passed me the key.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay with us?", Olin asked. Bryce immediately looked at me. I read her eyes.

"I mean I'm not doing anything. If you guys don't have any problem, I can stay", I said the latter part looking into her eyes. A small, very faint expression of relief flashed across Bryce's face.

I'm not gonna leave you alone. Rest assured, Bryce Bear.

We all started walking upstairs to the cafe on the second floor in pairs. Caleb and Olin were walking in front. Jake and Pearl right behind them. Bryce and I were walking a few steps away. She was crawling. I felt she doesn't want to even walk.

"Are you okay?", I asked. She shook her head in NO.

"Do you want me to leave?", I asked and she again shook her head negatively.

"Thank you for staying", she responded without looking at me. I couldn't help but smile.

Once we reached the food court, Caleb pointed out Bryce.

"Bryce, can I have a minute with you?", He asked. She nodded.

"You guys can order. I'll eat anything you'll order. Bryce, what will you have?", Caleb asked.

"Anything is fine", she said and Caleb looked at me.

"I'll place her order", I replied and he nodded. They both left the place together. We placed our orders. I sat down with Olin next to me and Jake and Pearl sitting in front of me. We all were waiting for our order. I was waiting for Bryce as well.

"Kyler. Tell me. What's new?", Pearl asked giving me all her attention.

"Nothing new. Old boring school life. I'm a member of the football team as well", I said.

"Any girlfriend?", Jake asked.

"No one permanent yet. I'm single", I replied.

"Really? I thought Bryce is your girlfriend", Olin said. She looked surprised.

"Same. I mistook you both as a couple", Pearl said and I frowned.

"How can you have such a bizarre idea?", I asked.

I wish it could be true though.

"You're looking at her that way", Olin said.

"Which way?", I asked.

"The way someone looked at his favourite possession. You're giving her loving looks. Do you like her?", Pearl asked.

"Am I that obvious?", I asked.

"Bingo. I told you", Jake commented.

I left a deep sigh. "It doesn't matter. I asked her out. She rejected me. I can't do anything".

"Why? Does she like someone else?", Olin asked intriguingly.

Yes. Your boyfriend is her crush.

"Yeah. Someone from school is her crush", I said. I didn't lie. Caleb was in our school once.

"That's sad. I like her. She's so shy and such an angel. Her innocence melts my heart", Pearl said.

"I know right. I like Bryce. Anyone who will date her will be lucky", Olin said.

"You're not that lucky, buddy. It's okay. We'll find you someone as well", Jake said with a smirk and I cursed him.

"You should be grateful to me. If it weren't me, Pearl would never ever give you any attention. Don't forget I was your wingman", I said and he was flustered.

"Yeah yeah, whatever. I'll return the favour. I'll be your wingman", He said.

"We all can be your cupid but the girl has to be Bryce", Olin said and Pearl nodded with a smile.

I want Bryce also.

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Aana..