82 ON SOMEBODY

''What?''

''He likes you. He has always liked you and I could never compete.''

My mouth gapes open and she continues. ''Why do you think I antagonized you? I knew all along that he liked you and it hurt me because I loved him.'' she whispers. ''I loved him and it hurt me to see that the feeling wasn't mutual. I thought that if I'd stick around, things would change and he'd start loving me back but he never did. I don't know when he started falling for you, but he did.''

''That is-'' I start, but words fail me. ''Wow.''

''It's not all that surprising. You've never noticed how he looks at you? How he steals quick glances at you in the hallway? How he'd watch you and your friends during lunch?'' she observes. ''Are you that oblivious?''

''Um…maybe?'' I did notice all the things she is saying but up until recently, I chose to ignore it. ''I thought he was glaring at me because he hated me or something.''