Cost of Friendship

She cried silently on the video chat, tears running down, sniffles, and gasps for air. "I... n..know. I can... do this."

"Listen, it's not personal. It's just that the last time this happened to me, I lost a friend. We used to be close and then it ended. I don't want to repeat that with you," he explained. He was near to tears himself, watching her suffer.

She took a deep breath. "I promise it won't be like that. I can't lose you. I can deal with my emotions." She exhaled and calmed herself. He looked away from the camera.

"I know it's wrong to feel any of this, but I do. I'm trying to be honest and admit it so I can deal with it. So WE can deal with it."

He nodded, but it was almost imperceptible.

She knew he was getting his way. Keeping his friendship, and also gaining another lover. He didn't want her as a lover. He couldn't. She had to allow him to turn her down. She had to stop fighting for a love her heart thought was destined, but must not be. She had to control herself.

"I gotta get to work," he said.