*deffo NOT edited*

High school - Sophomore year

Millie

"Please, no! Leave me alone!" I tried pushing him of me, but he kept coming back.

"Calm down, it's just some fun," the guy smiled, getting to close.

"No! Stop-" I heard the door opening, the guy quickly slapped his hand over my mouth.

I quickly kicked the guys knee, causing him to remove his hand and step back, I used the  opportunity to shout for help, "Help!"

"Hey!!" Some other guy yelled back, I could hear him running towards the shower stall,

The senior guy in front of me, glared at me and quickly ran out the stall, leaving me alone in the corner,

"Dude! Watch it!" I heard the other guy say, "is anyone there?"

My back against the wall, I slowly sat down, putting my hand over my mouth as I tried to stop the tears and even my breathing out.

"Oh my god! Are you alright?" The guy asked, my eyes were on his feet, he was shuffling and seemed hesitant.

He crouched down in front of me, "hey, I know you," I slowly looked up at him, he continues, "I'm Dallas, I think we have homeroom together," and Maths.

I knew who he was, he was friends with that Jaya girl, they were always getting up to something, it's hard to not notice them. Especially since, everyone seems to know Jaya, I think she has a hot brother or something.

I nod at him and he smiles, "can you stand up?"

I nod again, my arms still wrapped around me, I stand up and notice him taking his jacket of, causing me to freeze but instead he just holds it out to me.

Cautiously I reach out for it, putting it over me, "thanks,"

He gives me a warm smile and puts his hands in his front pocket. We walked out the locker room, Dallas walked a step behind me, I could tell he didn't wanna scary me.

I don't know why though, his jacket wrapped around me and him walking behind me, made me feel safe and protected, even though I hardly knew Dallas. Weird

High school - junior year

"You like him!" Jaya gasped, I quickly slapped my hand over her mouth and looked around, luckily no one seemed to notice.

I slowly take my hand away, "Shh, don't need the whole school to know,"

She shrugs and continues making out with her potato chips, stopping to comment, "but also ew, like Dallas, MayoDallas? Are you blind?"

I laugh, shaking my head, "no and Dallas is cute." Jaya sticks her tongue out, pretending to be disgusted, I continue, "he- he makes me happy and safe,"

Jaya seems to catch the last word and gives me a sad smile.

Looking down, I fiddle with my fingers, "It's hard to explain, you know- wait you don't," I hear Jaya gasp as she throws a packet of skittle at me, but quickly snatching it back, causing me to laugh.

I try agin, "I don't know why, but I just know that Dallas will protect me, he has since sophomore and I guess this is me finally accepting my feelings. I tried, burying them and even going on dates with other people, but nothing feels the same," I look up at Jaya, only to find her staring so intensely at her packet of skittles.

"Jaya?" I called.

She snaps out of it pretty quick, "you shouldn't, you shouldn't hide it, tell him and I mean, you never know, maybe he feels the same,"

"Maybe,"

I never told Dallas, even though Jaya tried to encourage me all year, but I just could not find the courage to do so. My feelings kept getting stronger and it was starting to get hard to ignore at this point.

Until;

"Wait, I'm confused?" I stared at Dallas, shaking my head, "what did you say?"

Dallas scratches the back of his head awkwardly, "I was wondering, if maybe you wanted to go out sometimes, like just the two of us,"

"Are you serious? No prank right?" I confirmed, he nods.

Taking a deep breath, I nod, "I'd love to."

High school - Senior year

"You love her," I said, interrupting Dallas, he was talking about plans for after graduation, for all four of us.

"What?" Dallas looked taken back, he stared at me in complete confusion.

"Jaya. You love her." I repeat.

He looks stunned, "what- Millie, what are you on about? I love you,"

I give him a sad smile, "I didn't say you don't, I just you love her aswell and that's more than a friend,"

Dallas sighs and looks down, he looks defeated, "I'm sorry. I don't wanna lie to you because that's not fair on you. But yeah I do and I have for a very long time, but I also know that it's not returned,"

"How? Did you every try-"

"Once in like freshmen year but then we found out her mum had cancer and I just knew that it was not the time because if things went wrong, she'd lose a friend aswell. After that, I just kinda took it as a sign and never attempted again, I just knew we were always better as friends," he explained, a remorseful look on his face as he stared at the corner of my room.

After a few seconds on silence, he stood up and walked towards where I was sat on the bean bag, "but that doesn't change how I feel about you," he crouched down in front on me, taking a hold of my hand, "the way I love you and the way I love Jaya are very different, but you both are so important to me and I would never want hurt or lose either of you.

My feelings for Jaya are locked away in the back of my head, never to be opened and I know that it will never be open because I made sure to throw that key away somewhere very far.

I know this isn't fair on you and I understand if you wanna break up, but I still want you to know that I love you, always have and always will because everything was real for me."

I took a deep breath, "I know," is this really fair on me? Probably not.

But I love Dallas so much, that I can't exactly imagine the future without him, he has saved me since the beginning and I don't wanna lose him.

I decided not to say anything expect lean forward and wrap my arms around him, pulling him close, he instantly pulls me closes, wrapping his arms around me.

I don't wanna lose him, but I will always be ready to accept defeat when it comes down to it, until then I can pretend he's mine.

.....

For people that were angry at Jaya for being naive or not realising it was her that Dallas actually had feeling for; to Jaya she has always considered Dallas her best friend/brother and thought it was the same for Dallas since he never hinted or said otherwise. She would never consider Dallas to have feelings for her, especially after years of friendship and things have always been the same between the two. If she had known, she would keep her distance from Dallas a little more, because she'd never want to hurt Millie.