Cleo's Dilemma

Within a humble high school in Netherlands a band of 4 girls are practicing a song for their upcoming performance at the school's talent show.

"That was amazing girls, we'll definitely put on a great performance on that talent show" said Coco the tall, blonde and cheerful girl.
"It was alright I guess, we can definitely do better though, towards the end some if we're kind of out of sync by a couple of milliseconds. "
The gloomy emo Cleo seemed like she wasn't entirely satisfied with the band's performance, her life was intertwined with music so she was kind of a perfectionist, usually ending up nit picking stuff that people would barely notice.

"Cleo cmon now, ninety percent of our school doesn't even know what a chord progression is, I doubt they'll ever notice that one single note was a fraction of a second out of sync"

Zoey was the slightly grumpy member of the group, just like her height her temper was also short but not to the point she was mean to others, she wore a scarf and rocked a kinda goofy looking bobcut.

"Yeah, Cleo. We’ve practiced like a bajillion times already. My hands are tired," Yfke whined, putting on a frowny face.
She had a blonde hair with colorful stripes towards the end of it and was the laid back and kinda air headed member of the group.

“Jeez, fine. I just thought we were capable of doing better. I want to show the school that we’re the real deal, y’know,” said Cleo with a sigh. She just wanted the band to be at the top of their game.

"One day for sure, but as we're dealing with school duties and club activities it becomes very hard to balance everything out, I'm sure one day we will show everyone what we truly got Cleo"
Replied Coco with a smile on her face, she knew Cleo was not someone who would belittle her friends and just wanted everyone to put their hearts out there to create a truly beautiful song.

"Ah Coco what would we do without your positive attitude keeping our spirits up"
Cleo said to Coco while smiling, she really appreciated her optimistic behavior, it always kept the band's mood up, especially Cleo's

“Alright girls, let’s wrap it up and head home. But I’m still expecting a top-tier performance out there!”

“If the contestants are anything like last year’s, we could play one note and win,” said Zoey smirking.

“We could be playing in a literal warzone and I’d still expect you girls to give it your all. You know how I feel about music—it’s not just a hobby to me. It’s my life purpose,” said Cleo, clenching her fists and speaking in a slightly dramatic tone. Still, she was being sincere—she was happiest when making music.

"Well Cleo I'm sure we all will show how passionate we all are about our art to the entire school next month, but for now let's take a break, maybe we all can go out and get ourselves something drink, what do you say?"
Coco wanted her friends to take the well deserved rest they need after almost 3 hours of practice, but especially Cleo. She knew the her passion for music made her work extra hard and practice even when she was at home and she needed to enjoy some free time away from any hassles.

"Cmon Cleo, let's go and have some time to ourselves, you girls coming?"

"Nah sorry can't do, I need to go home and help my mom with stuff, you three have fun though" said Yfke.

"Actually I can't come either, my mom and dad going out and my little brother will be all by himself so I have to stay at home with him, in fact I'm almost late." said Zoey as she started packing her things up
"I guess you'll be pampering Cleo all by yourself" she said as a smug appeared on her face.
Cleo got slightly embarrassed, Coco being alone with her and Zoey saying how she will be "pampering" her almost made it sound like they were going on a date, only if that was the case.
Unbeknownst to everyone, Cleo appreciated Coco in a very personal way, the same way a husband cherishes his wife or vice versa versa. Cleo had, weird feelings about Coco, feelings she kinda didn't want because she was scared of them.

 Coco was someone very special to her, the passion she had for music made her appreciate Coco as a fellow artist, her incredible athletic skills were jaw dropping and her never ending care for others and kindness was as warm as the midsummer sun.
But even beyond that, Cleo just felt happier and warmer whenever she was around. Her positivity and kindness was so bright that Cleo's mood would go up by jusy her mere presence and her feelings were clogging her mind for a while but it has reached a point where they became genuinely distracting and hard to control.Though of course she couldn't tell that to her.
She was scared that this would ruin their relationships as friends if Coco didn't feel the same , this also potentially could break their group apart as well so Cleo just keeps her feelings to herself for the time being. Coco of course loved Cleo, she loved everyone and wanted the best for all those who were close to her or people that she didn't even know.

She always thought the best about everyone and Cleo wished she was someone special to her. But she couldn't risk their friendship by confessing to he, Coco definitely wouldn't resent her for it but their relationship as friends and band ages would be scarred, there is no way they could maintain a nor Al relationship while knowing she has a crush on her. It would be so awkward and even if they just brushed it off, Cleo wouldn't be able to focus on her practices or lessons or anything while pretending her feelings just went away after a rejection.
 Coco grabbed her arm and led her to exit,Cleo's arm was brushing against Coco's bossom, she could feel her soft warmth and it made her want to scream from joy and embarrassment. They left as Coco said her goodbyes to the girls. Cleo and Coco left the premises of their school while the blonde was holding onto Cleo's arm as if they were a couple. That's definitely what some people thought as they were going downtown to grab something nice from the grocery store and enjoy it together. Cleo was still lost within her mind, thinking about what she should do with her feelings, Coco notices Cleo is kind of down and zoning out as they walk,
"Hey are you alright? You seem a bit moody Cleo, are you worried about something?"
Said Coco, making her snap out of her little emotional ponder, she makes up a reason in order to avoid actually  talking about her real emotions
"Hu-Oh yeah of course, I just felt like I was.... Uhm I went a bit too hard on the girls I guess and worried about coming across rude I guess" well it isn't exactly a lie, Cleo sometimes do feel like she comes across being kind mean and perfectionist, though this was definitely didn't take the priority in the lost of the feelings that clogged up her mind.
"Oh don't worry Cleo, they are aware you just have some seriously intense passion for music. I'm sure they understand you, I know I do, I even think your devotion to music is very admirable" said Coco, wanting to ensure her friend doesn't feel and about herself.

Cleo's face  would turn crimson if her skin was pale, even the slightest praise form Coco that makes her think that she was receiving some special treatment from her made  butterflies go crazy in her tummy.

"Th-Thanks Coco, I guess I'm just over thinking this. I just want our band to stay together even after school, even if we don't. I just belive that if we were to be  successful we would stick around for longer" said Cleo, she was still avoiding to talk about the feelings that actually bothered her but at least she wasn't truly lying, she did want their band to be recognized as real musicians and stick around for years, but especially Coco.

Coco was someone that had talents in many fields and Cleo was scared Coco would pick another career and move away, she was a great athlete and probably can go pro of she were to lean more onto it. Cleo felt selfish for thinking like this but there wasn't much she could do without actually opening up about her feelings.
As she was thinking about all this they arrived at their destination, they went inside the store and bough themselves something to drink. Cleo got herself some iced coffee and Coco went with some iced tea. They pay for them and go to a nearby park to enjoy them while hanging out. It was near summer  and their city was having one of its very rare sunny days today. The park was bathed in sunshine and the sound of chirping birds made it feel like an untouched piece of nature in the middle of the city. They sat on a bench with their drinks. Cleo took a sip from her iced coffee and tried to think about something that didn't make her feel miserable, she had to go back to bottling her feelings and prevent them from spilling everywhere. But as she was trying to do that Coco noticed she was all tensed up
"Cleo you can relax here, no need to pressure yourself over something like that. I want you to just have some time to yourself. You work veyr hard and you deserve to relax" said Coco

"Oh haha don't worry I'm not worried about that anymore, this is just how I usually am. I actually do feel relaxed, you don't need to work up about me." said Cleo she continued

"Say Coco, I heard you also have some practice coming up for a regional competition and the winner would be an Olympic candidate. It would be crazy if you won and became an Olympic athlete. " said Cleo.
She tried to be supportive of Coco as well  but deep down she hoped she would just keep competing on a regional level.
"Oh yeah, very exciting isn't it. Even though it is  a huge deal and a veyr rough to dedicated yourself to it, in the end there's a chance I might become a professional athlete and represent my country." said Coco
Cleo half faked a smile, she really hated the idea of Coco becoming a bigger, competent person and leaving he behind. Becoming just an" old friend from high school" to her.
"Ye-yeah, imagine all the people who'll have their eyes on you. Tens if not millions of people will watch you. I mean if it was me and I had an entire country represent in front of that many people I would probably die from pressure haha" Cleo tried her best to act like she was naturally bringing these topics up.
Her inner conflict was too much to bear, the guilt from wanting Coco to not go and the worry from thinking Coco leaving and potentially never seeing her were at a huge clash where neither of them are winning and just destroying her from inside. But alas she was there, trying to inject her friend's mind with the idea that going pro at her field would be too much to handle so she would think about not doing it.
"Oh for sure, I'm gonna be honest Cleo I'm actually scared, the same way you feel about music I feel the same with sports. But I don't want to be successful just to show off and make people think I'm great. If I could have some influence on others to be good and be the best versions of themselves, then I would be really happy. It might sound a bit too childish but that's how I feel about all of this, that's how I feel about our band too. "

Cleo was genuinely surprised by how personal Coco got with all of this. It almost felt like Coco saw her as someone she could lean on. Opening up about her feelings like that made Cleo feel special. Even if it was something Coco might say to others too, Cleo wanted to believe she was someone Coco truly trusted with her real emotions.

"Well uhm even if you don't become some international super star that people idolize I'm sure you still will be able to help people Coco. I mean Netherlands is a crowded country too, you might not need to travel the world to achieve this you know" once again Cleo felt terrible for attempting to manipulate Coco but she really wasn't thinking with the critical parts of her mind at this point.
Coco wasn't even dead set on becoming an international athlete but just the thought of it was enough for her to pull something like this.

Cleo needed more time to think about her feelings but at the same time it might be too late before she could open up to Coco about her true love as Coco moves away from her more and more. She didn't want to feel regret for the rest of her life but she also wasn't willing to potentially destroy her friendship with Coco.

"That's true but as you said back there, we all should strive to be the best version of ourselves right?" said Coco smiling
"oh haha of course, you still do your best out there tho" said Cleo while awkwardly fake laughing.
The two finished their drinks and got up, it was starting to get dark and they wanted to go home before it was too dark.

"Well Coco thanks for everything, even though it was just a little tea talk it really got my head cleared up" that was a lie of course
"Oh I'm so glad Cleo, seeing you all stressed was truly worrying, wish the others could've joined us as well. It would be an amazing time with all four of us wouldn't it?" said Coco, solidifying how their "date" was just two good friends hanging out.

“Ah, yeah… would’ve loved it if Yfke and Zoey came. Too bad they were busy,” Cleo replied flatly. “Want me to walk you to the bus stop? It’s not too dark, but I want to make sure you get there safe.”

" Of course Cleo, would love to" said Coco with a smile on her face. As they walked, Cleo was still tormented by the same question: Should I confess? What if Coco didn’t feel the same? It would ruin everything. But if she kept waiting, the chance might be lost forever.

No. She had to tell Coco directly. No middleman. Not today. Not tomorrow. But one day—for sure.

When they arrived at the bus stop, Cleo said goodbye.

“My home’s pretty close, so I’ll just walk. Take care, Coco.”

“Have a nice night, Cleo. And don’t be too hard on yourself. Music and sports are supposed to be fun. So don’t stress if we’re a little sloppy.”

“Yeah, of course,” Cleo replied. “Well… goodbye, and good luck with the selection.”

“Thanks, Cleo. If you’ve got free time next week, you can come to the stadium and watch us.”

“I’ll try to be there. Bye, Coco,” she said, waving.

Coco waved back, flashing a bright smile.

Later that night, Cleo lay face-down on her bed.

“Man… what a day. It almost felt like a date,” she muttered.

Should I go next week and watch Coco practice? I’m not into sports… but watching her work out would be kinda nice.

Cleo felt like a weirdo for thinking that, but it wasn’t just about how hot Coco was. It was about being there for someone she deeply appreciated.

As she drifted off to sleep, her last thought was:
One day, for sure… I’ll confess to her.