Two Sided Story

Here's a new fictional piece that sprung to mind recently

HER SIDE

It was a typical Wednesday as Melissa drove over to Liam's house after work. They were going have some Subway while streaming a Netflix movie. She appreciated how considerate his choice in meal was since she was currently re-dedicated to weight loss. Each week she posted her progress up on facebook.

The front door would be unlocked since he was expecting her. As soon as she walked in Rufus almost knocked her over. Melissa laughed as she vigorously scratched his big ears. Rufus was Liam's roommate, best friend, and protector all in one. Although he was really just more of a gentle giant. The first time Melissa had met him she had looked up "Mastiff" on Wikipedia and wasn't the least bit surprised to learn it was the largest dog breed. If there was anything bigger it would have to be classified as horse.

Liam shouted, "I'm back here."

Melissa and Rufus walked back to the living room where Liam was setting up their food on the coffee table. She had exciting news and Liam was the first person she wanted to share it with. After only a few bites of her sandwich she could no longer contain herself.

"Pause the movie."

He clicked the remote and looked at her with concern, "Is everything okay?"

A huge smile spread across her face as she explained she got asked on a date. It had been nearly a year since she had last been on a date. Sadly she was starting to doubt her ability to attract the opposite sex. The guy was a casual acquaintance she knew through her book club at work. He was attractive, smart, and an all around nice guy. Melissa thought Liam would be happy for her but she thought wrong.

He cleared his throat, "I thought you were holding out for someone special."

"That's for sex. I don't want to get physical with a guy until I know there are mutual feelings there, but for a date I'll go out with anyone whose nice."

"Oh. So a couple months back when you made out with my friend Gavin at the club you must have had feelings for him."

"Liam, we were both drunk and all we did was kiss. Why are you acting like this?"

"I'm just being honest. So you'll go on a date with anyone, but you withhold sex for true love unless you've been drinking. Then anyone can cop a feel."

Melissa felt the tears well up in her eyes, but she refused to actually cry in front of him. Without saying another word she grabbed her purse and left. As soon as she closed the door to her car the tears came streaming down her face. None of this made sense. Liam was one of her closest friends; he had always been in her corner whenever she needed him. He was even the one who taught her at the ripe age of twenty six how to finally ride a bicycle.

In all the time she had known him she had never witnessed him say even one unkind word about anyone. He was a little cold to Gavin after the drunken make-out incident. But Liam explained he was only being protective of her as he felt his friend took advantage of the situation. Liam is the most gentle, rational, level headed person Melissa knows. Or so she though.

Maybe it's not fair, but unfortunately Melissa has a history of so-called friends and guys she dated getting out of line with her. She made a promise to herself that no matter what she would never let anyone disrespect her again. She was so conflicted. Should one out of character moment destroy an entire friendship?


HIS SIDE

Liam stared at the half eaten sandwich left on his coffee table, then at the empty spot on the couch Melissa had just been moments before. He could kick himself for the way he had acted towards her. The truth was he was 100% certifiably jealous that another guy had taken the opportunity he had been too much of a coward to do himself.

The funny thing is that Melissa thinks that the reason she hasn't been on a date in so long is because the entire male population finds her undesirable. That couldn't be farther from the truth. In reality men are intimidated by her at least Liam was. She was beautiful, voluptuous, smart, funny, and kind. Of course she her her quirks, but who didn't? And while she may have seen her quirks as flaws, Liam felt they were the things that made her so unique.

Liam's heart broke the night that Gavin and Melissa hooked up. He knew it was just some stupid drunken mistake for both of them, but it still hurt being reminded that she wasn't with Liam at least in the way he wanted her to be. And for Gavin Melissa was just another girl.

Tonight Melissa was excited about pursuing something with another guy. This was strike #2 against Liam's failed attempt to make their friendship so much more. Did he honestly expect her to wait around forever until he managed to grow a pair? His jealousy just managed to push the person most important to him further away.

For the next twenty four hours he tried calling/texting/emailing Melissa to beg for her forgiveness. Embarrassingly enough some out their mutual friends even tried to intervene on his behalf. Melissa actually responded to them saying that she just didn't want to get into it. All of Liam's attempts were ignored.

Thursday night Liam decided to try another out of character move and show up unannounced at her apartment. He brought Rufus along for support. Okay maybe this was a little devious since he knew she had a weakness for his furry friend. Liam took a deep breath before knocking on her door. Melissa opened it up standing there in her jammies with her arms folded over her chest.