It was the fall of my senior year in high school, and the weather had gotten chilly.Felix White's uncles, Duncan White and Eugene White, had brought their families over for a visit, and my family joined them. His family members and mine added up to about 20 people, and we were all gathered at his house for a meal.With the help of alcohol, the atmosphere that night had become rather lively.Since there were so many people present that day, the men were all seated at one table for drinks while the women were seated together to chat.Everyone was chatting excitedly, and it was an extremely joyous day.Somehow, the conversation had shifted to talk about me and Felix. This happened every single time our families gathered together. It was quite awkward at first, but it happened so often that I had gotten used to it. It didn't faze me anymore.They could say whatever they liked. It wasn't as if I could do anything about it.Melinda Priceton was Felix's mother, and I called her Aunt
My mother was a broad-minded and decisive person who took a direct approach to life.Meanwhile, Duncan had been sitting at the other table and was clearly quite drunk. He laughed out loud before he said in his booming voice, "That's right. Our kids have all grown up now. You are … Harper, right? When your daughter and Melinda's son get married, don't forget to invite us to the wedding as well!""Of course! You're Felix's uncle! You would certainly be invited!" Mom replied cheerfully.Just like that, the conversation quickly switched from what college we were attending to the ways everyone would be chipping in for our wedding. If I didn't know better, I'd have assumed I was getting married tomorrow!Everyone was now engaged in an enthusiastic discussion about the wedding. Even one of Felix's young relatives, a mere child, was excitedly declaring that he wanted to be the flower boy.I lost interest in this conversation quite quickly.I had heard it countless times before, so there
Felix wasn't done yet."Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? Luna's her own person, and I'm my own person too. We lead separate lives, so do you guys keep pairing us up?"I will never attend the same college as her, so you all can just forget it!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment.The house remained completely silent. The little boy who wanted to be the flower boy at my future wedding wailed as he buried his face in his mother's neck. "Mom, Felix is angry!"His mother carried him out to the balcony to console him.Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. How I wished I would just pass out then and there. That would be better than enduring the pitiful looks everyone was shooting me.18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation.He h
Mom shot Dad a look, and Dad pulled out his phone to call for an ambulance.When Felix saw Dad calling for an ambulance, he pushed Aunt Mel away aggressively and forced himself onto his feet to snatch Dad's phone away.Aunt Mel lost her footing and stumbled backward before falling onto the floor. Wincing in pain, she could not seem to get back up.Felix had also used too much strength to push himself to his feet. He lost his balance and banged against the dining table. There was a resounding crash as the table crashed and all the plates fell off.The delicious meal that Aunt Mel and Mom put in a lot of effort to prepare was now ruined. The dining room was in chaos, mirroring the emotions swirling in my heart. Uncle Austin froze, as did everyone else.No one could've expected a happy family dinner to end like this.Felix, now covered in food, got back up on his feet. His right hand was clenched into a fist, and there was fresh blood dripping from his fingers. He had cut himsel
"I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much. I won't do it again. I will always remember what you said, and I won't bother you anymore. "About everything I've done in the past, I sincerely apologize to you right now in front of both of our parents. I hope you can forgive me," I said while lowering my head apologetically.I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix."My thoughts of him being the one for me and all the love I carried for him were nothing more than delusions. I was so caught up in my own feelings that I failed to realize my love was unrequited.I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue.If this was what he wanted, then I would grant him his wish.Despite my best efforts, my tears still streamed down my face and onto the floor."Felix … what are you doing?" Aunt Mel exclaimed in exasperation."Lulu, get up.
Because of that, I swore that I would change.My twisted relationship with Felix started when I was still in Mom's womb.Aunt Mel and Mom were best friends, and coincidentally, they both lived right opposite each other on the same level in the same apartment block. Thus, our families were close to each other.When Mom was pregnant with me, Felix was still a toddler who waddled around in diapers.Aunt Mel had been watching Felix play under a tree and suggested, "Harper, if your child is a girl, she should just marry Felix so we could all be a happy family!"Mom had replied, "Well, that's not up to me. We'll let her decide in the future.""Felix, come here! Would you like the girl in Aunt Harper's belly to be your wife?" Aunt Mel asked.Felix had laid in Mom's lap, giggling as he sucked on his thumb and mumbled the word "wife" repeatedly. He had amused Mom and Aunt Melinda so much that they decided to go ahead with the unofficial betrothal. And just like that, my marriage was settled be
I forced a smile on my face as I whined, "Mom, it's alright. I won't think too much about it! I also won't do anything silly in the future, so don't cry!"Mom studied my face worriedly, trying to gauge whether or not I was faking my smile.I couldn't look her in the eyes, so I could only excuse myself to get a glass of water.Mom knew me better than anyone else, and I was sure she could see right through me.As expected, Mom let out a deep sigh before she said, "Lulu, study well. In the future, you can find someone better … Well, you're such a good girl, I know you'll find the best man in the world. It's Felix's loss for not liking you. He will regret it."I nodded as I held the cup tightly in my hands. As I drank, I could feel my sadness surging from within.I had liked him for 18 years, so letting go was easier said than done.I went to bed early that night. But despite my drowsiness, I could not seem to fall asleep.By the time I was about to fall asleep, I heard the Whites
Dad was silent for a while before he finally said, "Alright, I'll start looking for houses tomorrow."Tears streamed down my face.I cried for all the love for Felix that was deemed absolutely worthless and also for the love and protection Mom and Dad had given me. No matter what happened, they would always be the people who loved me the most.I lay back on my bed, but I couldn't fall asleep. All the memories I had created with Felix for the past 18 years came flooding back to me.My heart felt like it was breaking into a million pieces, and more tears streamed down my face silently.The boy I had loved with all my heart just wasn't meant to be mine. Both of us were simply destined to walk on different paths. We would walk further and further away from each other with no turning back.Farewell … Felix and my dreams!…The next day was a weekend, so I lay in bed quietly and refused to get up.Mom and Dad came in to check in on me a few times. Since I appeared to be fine, they