𝐇𝐞𝐲, 𝐇𝐢𝐯𝐞
Hero without feeling
.
[Set in a world where we have super-powers.]
I couldn't lift my face in shame, why did it hurt my feelings like that? It was so stupidly cliché, I should have seen it coming. No one falls in love with the invisible girl, because no one notices the invisible girl. And I'm not talking about invisibility literally, even though this should have been my superpower, I'm naturally fluent in it.
My locker was my last defense before entering classes, the weekend I had not been able to detach my body from the bed because the anguish of returning to the academy consumed my energy. First love should not be this hurtful, nostalgic and deceitful. I was a fool, I let myself be carried away by that manly facet that denoted its competitive indifference.
Ever since I took general education class I couldn't take my eyes off him, undaunted, captivating, and his nonchalant way of letting go through life attracted me, that he didn't have the characteristic traits of a hero amazed me, because in his heart he wanted to be one and that's what matters, isn't it? That your heart is aligned with your longing to be a savior.
Stupid thought, it filled me with hope.
My gift was so basic that I had never dreamed of being anyone's hero. But I strived to get a scholarship to the best hero school to get into a good college, I had to, I had no choice but to be my siblings' savior. With no mother to cuddle my despairs, a father who lived to work and two little ones to care for, I had no choice but to get off my butt this morning and face the consequences of unrequited love.
The sign that dictated 1-C urged me to flee, but I didn't, there were no shortcuts, I had no hero.
The murmurs and laughter around me started as soon as I took a seat right behind that black-haired student I had seen so many times in my dreams. How could I think of falling in love with Mike LeVine? The class favorite, the only one with real hopes of becoming a hero and who lacks a shred of remorse.
All because of daydreaming.
I thought I knew how to disguise my emotions, but it was just another deception. A letter, quite simple, but a letter nonetheless, had been left early last Friday morning on my study table, I almost had a heart attack when I saw who it was signed by, or according to me I thought it was him.
It quoted: I can see your smitten look, I want you to know that I like you too, I just want you to be brave and tell me, I'll look forward to it during lunch.
Mike.
I couldn't help but smile gawking, I wanted to believe it was real, and my heart was pumping so fast it felt like it was about to die. I believed, I really believed that not everything in my life could be so bad. Until lunchtime came, and I kept the dreams do come true mantra in my mind as I entered the cafeteria filled with students. He was seated at a center table, along with other outstanding classmates from our homeroom and hero class.
I approached with my hands shaking too much, but he cited to be brave, so I needed to have the guts to prove to him that I was worth it, that I could be worthy. I stopped just behind his back, the noise was decaying like a sonata, and he turned around with that typical gesture of disinterest that I liked.
I swallowed hard, his grayish gaze clashed with mine.
I just want you to be brave and tell me so.
I am, I am brave.
"Mike, I really like you."
That's how I dropped it, I didn't come with a prepared speech either, just three words loaded with all my feelings.
His eyebrows narrowed in confusion, and fear began to grow in the center of my stomach. That letter I carried in my hands was snatched without vehemence from my fragile fingers. He read it silently, and in the background the mockery was already beginning to take hold. When he looked at me again I was frozen with the coldness in his eyes, he squeaked with annoyance and crumpled the little note into a ball.
"Are you stupid enough to think I would leave you a letter? Sorry, I don't feel like wasting my time."
And just as I received her attention in an apathetic manner, just as gracefully she rose from the table and disappeared from my sight. Most of the curious eyes were on me, I was in a trance until a shrill voice brought me to my senses.
"Don't take it personally Tya, he's in another league, you're only known to teachers."
Laughter exploded. A few tears fell.
I didn't enter the remaining classes and hid in my room for the next few days, I felt humiliated, was there a need to be so cruel? I hated myself for being so easy to fool, I hated myself so much.
Now, classes went slowly, I ate lunch in the classroom and my eyes always tried to make eye contact only with my notebook and the blackboard. When the final bell rang I almost ran for the exit, but the teacher's voice stopped me.
"Tya and Mike, remember it's your turn to clean up the classroom today."
The other students filed out amidst giggles and unnecessary comments. It was when there were only the two of us left that I missed those giggles, they were less awkward than this situation.
We each took care of something in the classroom and ignored each other most of the time. I made an effort to finish quickly, and as I was gathering my things to leave, he spoke to me for the first time voluntarily. That plaintive voice invaded my ears.
"I want you to know that this situation is your fault."
I didn't want to look at him, but his words made me angry.
"I'm sorry for confusing things, it won't happen again" I said crestfallen, I wanted to cry, but I didn't want to lose what little dignity I had left.
"Feelings can't be important in our lives as heroes, they are a hindrance..."
I walked to the exit with a sudden hatred welling up from my being.
Before leaving, I looked at him with all the courage I had gathered on Friday and without my voice trembling, I said:
"How do you expect to be a hero if you can't treat the hearts of others well?"
And I disappeared without waiting for his reply.
Translated with DeepL Free version.
Poor Tya, to be so cruelly tricked. Unrequited love - a hard pill to swallow. I'm glad at the end she got the courage to tell Mike his shortcomings. He doesn't seem like my idea of a hero either.
Mike is a character that has yet to grow emotionally and sentimentally, no matter how many gifts he has, he will not be able to achieve his dreams on a large scale, maybe Tya will help him understand that.
a talented artwork
I was charmed by your words, thank you for reading.
I love love it!!!
Thank you very much, sweetheart.
I have to say that I love you the way with words, superb 💯 the story is emotional especially seeing how Tya finally got the courage to reach for what she wanted only to be rejected so brutally, you are an amazing writer, love the story.
Your words motivate me, I've been working to get better at writing, I'm glad you like it.
Sometimes being too sensitive goes against you. Whatever it is, see it as it is and it will work magic for you. You have written a very good story in which you have told about relationships.
Whatever it is, see it as it is and it will work magic for you.
What a great line, thanks for reading me.
So emotional for Tya. Sometimes, what we bargain for isn't what we get in return.
Nicely written.
Thank you for your support.
Congratulations, your post has been upvoted by @dsc-r2cornell, which is the curating account for @R2cornell's Discord Community.
Dear Mary,
This was a delight to read, because it is a perfect description of how we attract and fall in love with people who resemble to us the first love relationships we had in our life, and it's with our parents or other close caretakers.
Until the love wound is not healed in the subconscious mind and self-love restored , we fall in love with those who will hurt us the same way as we were originally hurt in our first 5 years of life. So, the paragraph about complicated childhood was very ad hoc, to explore why she was in love and liked to be ignored and dismissed, as you perfectly describe in this line :"...and he turned around with that typical gesture of DISINTEREST THAT I LIKED". A woman who loves herself would never accept that kind of treatment. But she does, and she is in love with it. Until she is aware that there is a distortion in her understanding of what love is and how people are treated in love - she will keep falling in love with people who are not interested in her and who hurt her.
You really added valued to the time that I spent reading. Thank you.
I like how you have given attention to the backstory of the main character, I would like to provide more backstory for Mike, so we would have both points of view and a more balanced story, but I want to respect the community standards, plus I feel it leaves a message of different interpretations as it is, thanks for your support.
Yes! Very good point, as each person perceives the new information through their current lens of understanding. Each reader has it's own perspective and self-reflective response.
The trick would be to give subtle pointers and leave the rest for the imaginative interpretation of the reader itself.
Amazing!
This was great! I think Tya will be the better hero, because she cares. What will Mike do if he's in a tight spot? Save himself and leave others to their fate.
!PIZZA !ALIVE
Thank you very much for reading me, interesting words to play Mike, it could be that in the end he realizes his mistakes or maybe he will never make it as a hero, there are many paths
We won't know until it happens 😂
I'm glad you wrote this ❤️
!PIZZA !ALIVE
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So touching and captivating.
Life sometimes could be funny especially when it's gets to the the aspect of relationships. We expect something, then get disappointed.
I loved the story.
I am grateful to you for reading it, I am thrilled that you liked it, a hug.
This story builds slowly but carefully to its ultimate message, the message contained in the last line. An interesting interpretation of heroism: Not bigger and stronger, but better.
Thank yo for posting the story in the Ink Well community and we appreciate your engagement with other authors.
The final line carries all the weight of the plot, certainly, thanks for the support, and I am very grateful to this community from the bottom of my heart.
Poignant story! I hope Tya eventually finds the love she truly deserves. Thank you for sharing!
Let's hope so! Thanks for reading me.