"Sometimes, the weight of feelings we never express lingers the longest."
The sun rose, but it was a faded start to the day. It felt like the world was holding its breath, and so did Joey and Renee. Today was Renee's last exam, a moment that should have felt like a relief, but instead, it weighed heavy on her. She'd carefully planned her morning, making sure she was ready, and then set off for school. Joey, feeling the need to be near her, decided to follow quietly behind.
As he trailed her, he couldn't help but notice the frown on her face. Her mind seemed restless, flicking through her notes with little focus. Even though she looked distracted and deep in thought, something about the way she moved, the quiet concentration, soothed Joey's heart. There was a kind of peace in just being close, even if they couldn't talk.
Their shadows met for a moment, but they remained apart, moving in different directions. Joey snapped a picture of her—one where she looked a little funny, her expression serious yet slightly off-kilter. It was a small, playful gesture, a way to capture something beautiful amidst the heaviness of the moment.
When Renee reached school, she found Alex waiting at the gate, holding a flower. He stepped forward, his eyes soft with regret. Joey, watching from a distance, felt his heart sink. The sight of Alex walking toward Renee, trying to make amends, was too much. He couldn't stay, so he turned around and walked away, the weight of everything pressing down on him.
Alex stood there, holding the flower out to Renee. "I'm sorry," he said quietly, his voice carrying an edge of vulnerability. "I let my emotions get the best of me."
Renee's chest tightened. Her eyes welled up with tears, but she blinked them back, not wanting to break down now. "It's okay," she replied softly. "Let's talk after the exam."
They both turned toward the classroom, their emotions still hanging in the air, but the exam was the immediate thing now. The day moved on, but the heaviness of everything—Joey's quiet pain, Alex's apology, and Renee's unspoken sorrow—lingered, just under the surface.
Alex, Diana, and Renee were finally back together. On their way home, Alex casually asked, "Are you guys going to Joey's farewell party?"
Diana, ever attentive, signed to Renee, asking, "What about you?"
Renee, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes heavy with unspoken emotion, replied, "I'm not sure yet."
Diana immediately sensed that something was wrong. She gently asked, "Do you want me to come over? We can talk."
Renee nodded, her voice shaky, though her heart felt as if it was already breaking.
They reached Diana's place, and after a brief moment to freshen up, they found Renee standing at the window, gazing out at the lawn with a distant, pained expression. Her thoughts seemed to weigh heavily on her, and her eyes shimmered with the threat of tears.
Diana stood beside her, concerned, and asked softly, "Are you okay? Is something bothering you?"
For a moment, Renee didn't respond. Then, as though the dam holding back her emotions finally broke, she turned to face Diana, tears spilling down her cheeks uncontrollably. She didn't even try to hold them back.
The sight of Renee's tears shattered Diana's heart, and she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her friend, offering a silent comfort.
Renee begins to recount the entire ordeal, her voice steady but laced with the weight of the memories. She starts from the very beginning, with Joey, how their friendship blossomed into something more. She talks about the moments they shared, the laughter, the way they seemed so perfectly in tune with one another. Then, slowly, she details how everything started to unravel. She holds nothing back, recounting every painful detail of how it all fell apart, as though the words are a catharsis she's been carrying for too long.
Diana listens intently, her face a mix of shock and disbelief. After a long silence, she blinks, processing everything Renee has shared. "Damn," she finally mutters. "This is crazy. When did all this even happen? Why didn't you tell me?"
Renee hesitates for a moment, then replies quietly, "I didn't want to burden you. You had your own feelings for Alex, and I didn't want to disappoint you."
Diana's expression softens, a small, understanding smile tugging at her lips. "My dynamics with Alex weren't that great, you know? But thanks to you, we became closer, and I realized it wasn't as complicated as I thought. It didn't mean I was head over heels for him."
The tension in the air lifts a little, and Diana reaches out, pulling Renee into a comforting hug. She rests her head against Renee's shoulder, offering silent support. After a few moments, she pulls back slightly, her eyes searching Renee's face.
"Are you really not going to come to the party?" she asks, her voice tinged with concern.
Renee looks down, a conflicted expression crossing her face. "I don't know," she admits softly.
She says, "I had a feeling something was off, especially since both of you quit volunteering, but I never expected this. Anyway, I know what you should do now."
Renee looks confused. "What do you mean?"
She responds, "Darling, this is your last chance to talk to him. He's leaving for Canada to pursue his master's, and you never know what might happen. Just reach out."
She adds, "Plus, you need to ask him why he ignored you. It wasn't just one-sided; it was mutual. Why did he stop talking to you after Helen's proposal? You must ask him—why did he play with your feelings and give you false hope?"
Her frustration evident, "I can't believe you let this go on for so long without saying anything! It's been way too long, and you've been ignored for all this time! This is so unfair!" She fumes, clearly upset.
Renee responds quietly, "It wasn't meant for me. I respect his decision, so let's not go asking him about it."
Diana shook her head, a determined smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Fine, but we're still going to that party. You're going to show him this doesn't faze you. And trust me, I'll make sure you look stunning when you walk in."
She gave Renee a playful, encouraging look, her confidence contagious. "I've got your back! You and Alex are going to light up the room. Trust me, we're going to shake things up in a way no one will forget."
Renee hesitated, still uncertain, but the fire in Diana's eyes was hard to ignore. After a moment, she let out a small sigh and nodded. "Alright... let's do this."
Is it Diana taking the lead, or is fate simply playing its hand once more? What kind of erosion will occur as they become aware of what awaits them at the party? Will they clear up the misunderstandings before it's too late, or will this be the last time they cross paths? Fate patiently waits for Renee and Joey, and so should you...