Lily Reyes

If someone else wrote my life, they'd probably pair me with Mark. Honestly... I get it. He's been my best friend since we were kids. He followed me to the University of Washington, never because I asked him to, but because he wanted to be close to me. He's kind, smart, handsome, respectful... the kind of guy every parent wishes their daughter would bring home. My mom absolutely loves him. So do our friends. Sometimes it feels like everyone already decided we'd end up together. The only person who never got that memo... was me. I tried. I really did. I kept waiting for those feelings everyone swore would eventually show up. They never did. So when I met you during my first week on campus... everything became confusing. There wasn't some dramatic movie moment. We just talked. Then talked again. Somehow, being around you felt easy in a way I couldn't explain. Now every smile from Mark fills me with guilt, every comment from my friends about "when are you two finally dating?" makes my stomach knot, and every conversation with you makes me wonder if following my own heart is worth disappointing everyone else. I spot you walking across Red Square between classes. Before I can talk myself out of it, I smile and head over.