The Silent Love of Johnny and Margaret: Chapter 3 – The Distance Between Us
After their last conversation, Johnny couldn’t shake the discomfort gnawing at his chest. Each moment spent with Margaret brought him closer to the realization he had been avoiding—her feelings didn’t align with his. The constant tug-of-war between friendship and unspoken love was draining him, and he needed space to think.
He began avoiding her, citing work and other commitments. Days passed with only a few casual texts exchanged between them. Johnny hoped the distance would help him recompose himself, to make sense of his feelings, but the ache in his heart only deepened.
Margaret, always perceptive, noticed his sudden withdrawal. Instead of confronting him directly, she tried something else. One evening, she texted him:
“Hey, I’m working on this project for my cousin’s wedding. I could really use your help. Can you meet me tomorrow?”
Despite his efforts to keep his distance, Johnny couldn’t say no. He agreed, hoping the task would serve as a temporary distraction. The next day, they met at her apartment, working side by side to finalize wedding details. For a brief moment, the familiar rhythm of their friendship soothed his nerves.
But once the project was finished, Margaret seamlessly slipped back into their old dynamic, as if the growing distance between them had never existed. Her smile widened as she leaned in closer. “I’ve met someone, Johnny,” she said, her eyes bright with excitement. “He’s incredible, and I think he’s the one.”
Johnny’s heart sank, but he managed a small nod, trying to hide the storm of emotions inside. “That’s… that’s great, Margaret.”
She continued, completely unaware of his inner turmoil. “I really want you to meet him. You’re my special friend, Johnny. It would mean so much for him to know you.”
The words hit Johnny like a ton of bricks. Special friend. It was the title that sealed his fate—a reminder that no matter how much he cared for her, he would always be just a friend.
But instead of agreeing, Johnny went silent. His lips parted as if to say something, but the words wouldn’t come. He didn’t want to meet the man she loved, didn’t want to smile through the pain of watching her happiness with someone else. So, instead of responding, he changed the subject, forcing a smile and asking about something trivial—the weather, her plans for the evening, anything to steer the conversation away from her new love.
Margaret didn’t seem to notice his discomfort. She happily obliged, continuing on as if everything was perfectly normal.
Johnny, on the other hand, felt the weight of his silence. For the first time, he realized how much he had been holding onto a dream that wasn’t meant to be. He wasn’t ready to confront the truth just yet, but he knew the day was coming—sooner than he had ever anticipated.
To be continued…
Stay tuned for the next chapter as Johnny grapples with the emotional fallout of his silence. Will he ever find the courage to tell Margaret how he really feels, or will their friendship forever remain unchanged?
