Chapter 18: Confronting Carly
I stood outside Carly's apartment, my heart heavy with anticipation. I had decided to talk to Carly first, to clear the air and be honest about my feelings. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
Carly answered, looking surprised to see me. "Hey," she said, her voice soft.
"Hey," I replied, feeling a sense of nervousness. "Can I come in? We need to talk."
Carly nodded, stepping aside to let me in. We sat down in the living room, and I took a deep breath before launching into the conversation.
Just as I was about to start talking, my phone buzzed with an incoming text from Marie. I hesitated for a moment before picking it up, my heart sinking as I read the message.
"Hey, I've been thinking a lot about what happened, and I think it's best if we break up," Marie's text read. "I deserve better than someone who lies to me and cheats on me. I hope you can understand where I'm coming from."
My heart felt like it had been punched, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. I loved Marie, and the thought of losing her was unbearable.
Before I could process my emotions or say anything, Carly leaned in close and kissed me. I was taken aback, and I quickly pulled back, my mind clear.
"Carly, stop," I said firmly. "I love Marie, and I don't feel the same way about you. We need to talk about this."
Carly's expression faltered, and she looked hurt. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "I just...I couldn't help myself."
I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of frustration and empathy. "Carly, I care about you, but my heart belongs to Marie. I need to try and make things right with her."
Carly nodded slowly, her eyes welling up with tears. "I understand," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry if I overstepped. I just...I really care about you."
I felt a pang of guilt and regret. "I care about you too, Carly," I said. "But I need to be honest with you. My heart belongs to Marie, and I need to try and fix things with her."
Carly nodded again, taking a deep breath. "I know," she said. "I'll respect that. But can I ask you something?"
"Of course," I replied, curious.
"Do you think...do you think there's any chance Marie will take you back?" Carly asked, her eyes searching mine.
I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. "I don't know," I said finally. "But I need to try. I love her, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make things right between us."
Carly nodded, a small smile on her face. "I'm glad you're willing to fight for her," she said. "You two are meant to be together."
I smiled back, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Carly. "Thanks, Carly," I said. "You're a great friend."
With that, I stood up, knowing I had to act fast to try and win Marie back. I had to make things right, no matter what it took.