"Max! Did you throw the trash out? I asked you to do it this morning!"
"I forgot!"
"TAKE IT OUT RIGHT NOW!"

"Jeez, mom," I pulled a big bag of trash outside my driveway and began taking it to the trashcan. Since I was already outside, I decided to smoke a little before finally going to bed. That night was so calm. Soon, I saw Femke come towards my house and park her car in front of my lawn. She got out of her car and walked towards me.

"Whatsup?" I greeted her.
"Why are you after Daffine?" She asked me.
"...Why does it matter to you?"
"Because she's my friend,"

"Is she?" She's lying to me again.

"Yeah. And I care about her feelings. She doesn't want to be with a douchebag like you. You only annoy her,"
"I'd believe it if she told that to me on my face,"
"She wouldn't because she is too nice, you know that"
"And why should I believe you?"

"Don't believe me, but believe her," She pulled out her phone from her jeans and played a recording, 

"You don't love him, do you?" It was Femke's voice.
"No, of course I don't" It was DAFFINE!
"Why not? Is he not handsome?"
"No,"
"Will you ever fall in love with him though?"
"I don't think that,"

I looked at Femke, "I... I thought she liked my company. She seems happy around me,"
"She's faking it,"
"But Daffine is... not like that,"
"What if she is? What if she has been lying to you all this time?"
"Well, she did tell me that she feels performative with people... but she told me that I'm different. That she's not trying to impress me. And it doesn't make sense, why would she try to impress me if she didn't like me all this time?"

"Some people like the attention of being liked by everyone,"
"I don't understand. I've been so nice to her. I always give her space, I talk about her feelings, I make sure she's comfortable with me...Why does she hate me? What did I do wrong? Why can I never do things right?"

"Oh Max, you are doing the right things...just with the wrong person," Femke came closer to me, "She doesn't cherish who you are now because she hasn't seen how terrible you could be. I have known you. I know your deepest, darkest nightmares and I have been your most beautiful dreams. All the times that you've been in the dark, I've been beside you,"

"What are you saying, Femke? You have a boyfriend,"

She smiled, "I broke up with him. We just weren't compatible and I couldn't stop thinking about you. So, I am here now and I want you,"
I took a step back, "Go home, Femke," I went back inside my house and closed the door. I pressed my back on the door and covered my face. How could it be? I thought she liked me. 

"I keep liking you more and more"

Why did you lie, Daffine?

"Some people like the attention of being liked by everyone,"

Are you one of those people? Is that it? Do you just like the attention I give you? Do you really not feel an ounce of love towards me? I don't understand. 

"You don't love him, do you?" 
"No, of course I don't"

I pulled out my phone from my pocket and pressed on her number. I waited for her to pick, but she didn't. Why don't you ever pick up? What keeps you busy? Would you pick up if someone that you loved texted you? And why is it not me? Why can't I be someone that you love? Who could it be but me? I love you so much. Notice me. See how much I care about you, Daffine. 

I'd gladly break my heart for you.

"Will you ever fall in love with him though?"
"I don't think that,"

-To be continued