I Wasn't Ready for This

[vasilia abigail fortescue]

Late December 2025

Vasilia felt an uncomfortable pressure in her chest.

She stood behind the bar, faking a smile as she poured a beer from the tap for a patron. But she couldn't help but look up every few seconds. Her eyes just couldn't... stay away. From Rhys. He was sitting at one of the tables. Nothing new. He was a regular. No, that wasn't why she kept looking. It was the beautiful brunette sitting with him. She didn't recognize the woman. But seeing her... flirting with Rhys.... and Rhys recipocating... Why did it make her so uncomfortable? It wasn't the first time she'd seen Rhys flirt with a woman. In fact, it was pretty regular. He came alone but he didn't always leave alone. It was something she'd picked up about him very quickly when they first met. He was a bit of a player. She couldn't blame the girls. He was good looking. He was cool. Made good company. Had a great smile.

It had never bothered her before now though.

Vasilia looked away. putting that fake smile back on as she handed the full pint to the patron and started to clear a few empty glasses from the bar top. Trying to keep busy. Trying to just work, and get things done. And yet? After a few minutes she sneaked another look. Rhys had one of those shadow smiles of his, and he was leaned forward. He was interested in this brunette. Immediately she looked away, scolding herself to just stop worrying. Yes, that's all it was. Worry. That he'd get hurt. Of course. He was her friend. She cared about his wellbeing. And that woman definitely looked like the heart breaker sort. Rhys was a good guy, he shouldn't fall for the wrong type of girl.

She looked again... then away. She repeated the words in her mind. Again, and again.

Took someone's order. It was just worrying about a friend. Making a drink. Worrying about a friend. Wiping down tables. Worrying about a friend.

Her behavior was clearly not missed by the rest of the staff. At first they'd been very confused. Then, they'd realized what kept distracting their boss, and it all clicked. They'd been watching Vasilia and Rhys' friendship grow over the past several months. They saw how... comfortable they were with each other. They knew that Rhys was a different person when Vas was around. And Vasilia seemed to light up whenever he walked in the door. No, they knew. They'd known for a while, but seeing the behavior solidified those thoughts and confirmed everything.

"We can handle things up here, Vas." One of the them told her quietly. She gave them a confused look. "What?" "You know, if it's too hard seeing him." The waitress explained. "I don't understand." The bar tender and waitress traded looks. "Vas... You've been giving him puppy dog eyes all night." Now Vas looked even more confused. "Who?" One of them face palmed and pulled her out of the main room and back into the kitchen.

Once the door closed the waitress turned to Vas and planted her hands on her hips. "Vasilia, you're in love with Rhys, aren't you?"

Vas gawked. Trying to speak, but no words coming out as she open and closed her mouth a few times. FInally though, words returned. "I do not!" The waitress gave her a stern look. "We're just friends!" She added after a moment, as if it might help her case. "You don't look at 'just friends' the way you've been looking at him all night!" The waitress insisted. Vasilia tried to respond, but words failed her.

Several hours later... she lay her bed. Staring up at the dark ceiling. She couldn't sleep. Those words just kept circling through her head. You're in love with Rhys, aren't you? No, she wasn't. Couldn't be. She was her brother's childhood friend and school mate. Her friend. Nothing more. Friends. That's all they were. Her heart ached. That's right. Just friends. Only friends.

Vas rolled onto her side as a few tears escaped and stained her cheeks. That's what she was to him, at least. Just friends.

But how she wished he'd look at her the way he'd looked at that brunette tonight. She closed her eyes. But sleep never came. Not that night. Because one thought haunted her and kept her up. 

She was in love with Rhys.

(rhys alexander greyback to see the damage you've caused!!!)