FLETCHER
I walked into the A.N.T Farm, my gaze sweeping the room. I instantly spotted Olive curled up on the couch reading a thick book but quickly averted my gaze as she looked up. I hurriedly turned to Chyna and began exaggeratedly complimenting her as I did every day.
Chyna just rolled her eyes and sighed. Olive also rolled her eyes. "Why don't you give up already, Fletcher?" she asked, exasperated. "You know perfectly well Chyna doesn't love you."
Yes, Olive, I do know. I know that Chyna doesn't love me... and I know that I don't love her. But I'm too afraid to reveal my feelings for you, so I mask them with pretend feelings for Chyna. Please, just wait until I'm ready. Then I can tell you everything.
I sighed with frustration at myself. Why couldn't I say a simple 'I love you'?
OLIVE
"Give up already", I had said. Give up and look closer and you'll see someone right before your eyes who loves you – me.
But how do I tell Fletcher about my feelings without freaking him out? I don't know – I was never the romantic type. I want to ask Chyna but I'm scared she might tell Fletcher before I'm ready.
And besides, it's pretty clear that Fletcher loves Chyna so much that he doesn't even notice me. And I suppose I haven't made it that easy for him to find out that I love him – I've been sort of afraid about my own feelings for Fletcher. I mean, I've had a sort of little crush on him since, well, forever. But lately it's been more than just a 'little crush'. I just wish I knew how to tell him about it.