Through a small gap behind the stage, our eyes met.
And then he turned around and walked away without a word.
At that moment, I couldn't say anything.
I just stood there, frozen.
Why was he there?
And why did Lucas confess to me?
The word why kept repeating in my head as everything seemed to stop.
Maybe my story will feel short.
Or maybe it will feel long.
But either way…
I think it's time I start telling it.
Lily has been my best friend since fifth grade.
And Lucas—the guy she likes.
For the past two months, Lily had been stuck in that awkward stage where you like someone but can't bring yourself to confess.
She was always shy around him.
Whenever she called or texted Lucas, she would spend hours asking me what she should say or how she should act.
Sometimes when Lucas asked her to hang out—like going to the movies or the arcade—she would invite me along too, especially after the two of them had gotten a little closer.
I didn't mind.
In fact, I tried my best to help her.
I helped her choose what to wear.
And whenever things suddenly became awkward between them, I would crack some silly jokes just to lighten the mood and make them laugh.
But despite all my efforts, two months passed.
And Lily and Lucas hadn't even held hands yet.
It was obvious that they liked each other.
But they were both so shy that their relationship never moved forward.
Watching them from the side was honestly frustrating.
Then one day, after lunch at school, Lucas and I ran into each other by chance in the hallway.
That's when I decided to talk to him.
"Lucas, come to the auditorium after school. I need to talk to you."
After classes ended, I waited for him in the school auditorium.
Not long after, Lucas arrived.
The moment he saw me, he asked in a blunt tone,
"Why did you call me here?"
His tone instantly put me in a bad mood.
Honestly, I thought Lucas and I were somewhat close.
Every time he met up with Lily, I had been there too—going to the movies, the bowling alley, even the park. We had spent quite a lot of time together.
But maybe it was because Lily wasn't here this time.
Or maybe he thought I had been awkwardly tagging along on their dates.
Lucas's unusually cold tone made me reply with an equally annoyed voice.
"Why else? I just thought it would be nice if you and Lily got a little closer."
"You called me here for that?"
"Well… yeah. What, did you think I was going to confess to you or something?"
"Yeah."
"…What?"
I laughed awkwardly.
"Wait—do you actually think I like you? I just wanted to help you and Lily—"
But before I could finish my sentence, Lucas answered.
"Yeah."
Oh my god.
Did I hear that right?
That wasn't why I called him here.
Just moments ago, he sounded annoyed about being here. So why was this conversation going in such a strange direction?
Lucas had been texting Lily this whole time.
So why was he suddenly saying he liked me?
My thoughts tangled together in confusion.
And that was when it happened.
A dull noise came from behind the stage.
I turned my head.
And he was there.
Standing in the narrow gap behind the stage.
Our eyes met.
Those few seconds felt as long as several minutes.
Our eyes met.
And without saying a word,
Jake turned around and walked away.