Between The Lines of us

Between the Lines of Us”

Seventeen-year-old Maya had always believed love would be simple. A spark, a glance, a feeling that settles in and just makes sense. But that was before she met Noah and Eli—two best friends who turned her world upside down.

Noah was the class clown. Loud, charismatic, and unapologetically real, he could make anyone laugh—even during the worst days. He played guitar in the school band and had a way of telling stories that made the ordinary feel like an adventure.

Eli was quieter. Thoughtful, observant, and bookish. He spent his time in the library, sketching in the margins of textbooks and sipping coffee like he was already in college. His kindness was subtle—he remembered little things Maya said, like how she hated strawberry yogurt or loved rainy afternoons.

Maya met them both during a group project for history class. What started as study sessions soon became late-night conversations, long walks after school, and moments she didn’t expect—like the time Noah surprised her with her favorite song during lunch, or when Eli lent her his hoodie on a chilly morning without saying a word.

And somewhere in between the laughter and the quiet understanding, Maya fell in love.

With both of them.

She didn’t mean to. It just happened.

Every time she was with Noah, her heart felt alive—like fireworks and loud music. With Eli, it was different. Her heart slowed down. It felt safe, steady, like reading your favorite book again and again and still finding something new in it.

The worst part? They both loved her too. She could see it in the way Noah’s eyes sparkled when she laughed. She could feel it in the way Eli’s hand lingered a little too long when he handed her a pencil.

One evening, they sat under the oak tree behind the school—Maya, Noah, and Eli—watching the sun go down.

“I think we all know something’s changed,” Eli said quietly, not looking at either of them.

Noah nodded. “Yeah. I didn’t want to be the first to say it, but…I’m tired of pretending.”

Maya felt like the world had stopped turning. Her chest was tight, her mind racing.

“I care about both of you,” she whispered. “I don’t know how to choose.”

Noah reached over and gently touched her hand. “Then don’t rush. We’re still your friends. But you deserve to figure out what you really feel—not just who makes you feel it.”

Eli gave her a soft smile. “Love isn’t always about picking the right person. Sometimes it’s about understanding your own heart first.”

That night, Maya walked home alone. For the first time, she wasn’t afraid of her confusion. She didn’t have the answer yet—but she was finally ready to listen to her heart.

And maybe, in time, it would whisper the name she was meant to hear.

⸻

The Choice

Weeks passed. The school buzzed with prom plans and final exams, but for Maya, every day felt like a quiet storm. She still spent time with Noah and Eli—separately now. They gave her space, even though she could see how it hurt them. And she missed what they all had before the feelings tangled everything.

One rainy afternoon, Maya sat at her window, watching the drops race down the glass. Her heart had never felt heavier. She pulled out her notebook and wrote their names: Noah and Eli.

Two people, two versions of love.

She listed everything she loved about them. Noah made her laugh, made her feel bold and electric. Eli made her think, made her feel seen and still. It wasn’t about who was better. It was about who she was when she was with them.

That was the answer.

⸻

Prom night came, wrapped in fairy lights and soft music. Maya arrived alone, her heart steady but pounding with anticipation.

She found Noah first—he looked like he’d been scanning the crowd for her all night.

He smiled, that same lopsided grin. “So…?”

Maya smiled back, but it was a soft, sad smile. “Noah, I love you. I really do. But with you, I feel like I’m trying to keep up with lightning. And I’ve realized…I want something quieter. Something that doesn’t make me feel like I’m falling.”

Noah’s smile faded, but he nodded. “Then I’m glad you know. I just hope he makes you happy.”

“I hope so too,” she whispered.

She found Eli standing near the punch table, fiddling with his camera.

When he saw her, his expression shifted to cautious hope. “Hey.”

“I made my choice,” Maya said.

He held his breath. “Yeah?”

She nodded. “It’s you. It’s always been you. I just had to quiet everything else to hear it.”

Eli didn’t say anything—he just pulled her into a hug that said everything words couldn’t. And as they danced under the dim lights, Maya felt something simple and true settle in her chest.

⸻

The Twist

Later that summer, Maya would learn something even more important: choosing Eli didn’t mean she had to lose Noah.

Feelings change, but true friendships—the kind that started with laughter, trust, and long walks after class—can survive. It just takes honesty. And time.

Noah needed space at first, but eventually, he came back—not as the boy waiting to be chosen, but as a friend who still made Maya laugh until her stomach hurt.

Because love isn’t just about choosing the right person. It’s also about choosing yourself, staying true to who you are, and holding onto the people who matter—even if the roles change.

And Maya had done just that.