26. UNREQUITED LOVE

Alina’s frustration reached a boiling point as she watched her brother's car disappear down the street, the sound of the engine fading away, leaving her stranded. “Jace! You can’t just leave me here!” she yelled after him, her voice echoing down the empty street, but it was too late and he was gone. She felt the rush of anger bubbling up, and without thinking, she let out a string of curses that would’ve made her mother’s hair stand on end.

A couple of passersby shot her startled glances, their expressions a mix of surprise and mild disapproval. One elderly woman even clutched her shopping bag a little tighter as she hurried past, muttering something under her breath about “young people these days.”

Alina barely noticed, too wrapped up in her frustration. “Stupid, unreliable jerk!” she grumbled under her breath, kicking a small pebble down the sidewalk. “I’m always stuck dealing with his nonsense.”

From a short distance away, Caelan and Hazel watched the scene unfold. Hazel’s lips twitched into a grin, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she observed Alina’s little outburst. She was used to Caelan’s calm, composed demeanor, so seeing someone lose their cool so publicly was a bit of a novelty.

“She’s got quite the temper,” Hazel remarked with a laugh, nudging Caelan with her elbow.

Caelan, who had been quietly sipping his tea, couldn’t help but chuckle at Alina’s childish display of frustration. There was something endearing about her fiery spirit, even if it did manifest in the form of stomping feet and muttered curses. “I think she’s just passionate,” he replied, the amusement lingering in his tone.

Hazel raised an eyebrow at him, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Passionate, huh? I think someone’s smitten.”

Caelan shook his head, the smile still on his face. “It’s not like that,” he insisted, though the way he watched Alina huffing and puffing betrayed a deeper curiosity.

Just then, the bus arrived, and Alina, still fuming, darted toward it, eager to put some distance between herself and the scene of her embarrassment. As she climbed aboard, she was immediately greeted by the familiar faces of her club members, who were already gathered and waiting for her.

“Alright, team, let’s get this show on the road,” she announced, her voice taking on a commanding tone as she slipped effortlessly into her role as vice-head of the literacy club. The earlier frustration was forgotten, replaced by the electric energy of planning something she cared deeply about. She pulled out her clipboard, scanning the notes she had jotted down, her eyes alight with excitement.

“Remember,” she began, her tone brisk as she addressed the group, “we’ve got just a few days left before the literature event kicks off, and everything needs to be perfect. We’re hosting three amazing authors, and I want to make sure we give them an experience they’ll never forget.”

The other members nodded in agreement, their faces mirroring her enthusiasm. Alina continued, her voice rising with excitement as she outlined the schedule. “We’ll start with Mr. Darnell on the first day. He’s going to do a reading from his latest book, and I’ve already confirmed that he’ll stay for a Q&A session afterward. Then, we have Ms. Whitaker the next day, and she’s bringing some original manuscripts for us to discuss. And finally, on the last day, Mrs. Holloway will be giving a keynote speech, she’s a legend in the field, so we need to make sure everything runs smoothly.”

As Alina spoke, it was clear to anyone listening just how much this event meant to her. Her words were precise, her instructions clear, but it was the light in her mismatched blue and green eyes that told the real story. She was in her element, and nothing, not even her brother’s abandonment could dampen her spirits.

"We should board the bus, too. Let's travel to the market and buy some crazy gifts for your assistants." She chirped making Caelan follow her behind with his eyes fixed on Alina. A small smile stretching on his lips as watch her passionately talking with her club members.

Caelan and Hazel had found a seat toward the back of the bus, where they could observe without intruding. Hazel glanced sideways at Caelan, a soft smile playing on her lips; ignoring her shattering heart. “You see how her eyes light up when she talks about this event?” she whispered, leaning in closer to him. “She’s not just passionate about what she does; she’s in love with it.”

Caelan nodded, his gaze fixed on Alina. “It’s inspiring,” he admitted, his voice tinged with admiration. He couldn’t help but feel a connection to her enthusiasm, even if their worlds were vastly different.

Hazel watched him for a moment longer, her smile growing and heart shrinking as she teased, “And here I was thinking you didn’t have a soft spot for anyone. But maybe I was wrong.” Her tone was light, but there was genuine affection behind her words.

Caelan’s smile wavered, and for a moment, a shadow passed over his face. Hazel noticed the sudden change, her playful expression quickly replaced by concern. “Caelan, what’s wrong?” she asked, her voice softening.

He didn’t respond right away, his thoughts swirling in a mix of emotions he wasn’t ready to confront. His eyes, which had been so focused on Alina just moments ago, now glistened with unshed tears. He turned slightly away from Hazel, trying to compose himself.

“Caelan,” Hazel whispered, reaching out to touch his arm gently. “You can talk to me.”

He took a deep breath, forcing a smile as he blinked back the tears. “I’m okay,” he murmured, though the words felt hollow even to his own ears. He didn’t want to ruin the lighthearted moment, but the weight of his own thoughts was too heavy to ignore.

Hazel’s hand remained on his arm, her touch grounding him. “You don’t have to carry it all by yourself,” she said, her voice filled with quiet strength. “I’m here, whatever it is.”

"It’s really nothing." He blinked back the unshed tears coating his eyelashes.

Hazel turned around facing the window Nodding her head on his reply and not pressuring her much. Her own eyes weighed with unshed tears as she blinked them back only to have them blurring her vision. Breathing in deeply, she sniffed knowing her unrequited love will stay that way and she didn't have any guts to change her fate in any way.

Turning around she glanced at Alina with her red rimmed eyes and saw her smiling with a quiet girl who wore huge glasses.