I vowed internally to settle the beef with Felix once we went back. As for Matthew, his inconsiderate act made me realize that it wasn't worth keeping him as a friend.The guys in the group managed to hype us up, and the women were all excited and giddy. Soon enough, we forgot what happened and enjoyed ourselves on the rides.The entrance to the haunted house was right under an old willow tree. There was a bottomless well there that read "You're doomed!"The staffer gathered us and explained the rules. He reassured us that the haunted mansion was all about an immersive experience and that all ghosts were played by employees. They looked scary, but they would never abduct us.The group then descended into the well in a cheery mood. When I went down, Felix and Colin were waiting for me."Follow me. No need to be afraid." Colin held my hand and led me down the middle tunnel.It was my first time in a haunted house. My ears picked up howling winds and harrowing cries. They sent chill
I squealed. I couldn't dodge the ghost's attack in time, so I hopped on Colin's back. "Run! There's a monster!"Colin laughed. He carried me and made a beeline for the exit. I clung to Colin's neck desperately and shouted into Colin's ears. Silently, Colin dashed past all sorts of scary creatures until we reached the light at the end of the tunnel."We're out now. Perhaps you should come down now?" Colin slapped some sense into my brain.I was still horrified, so I refused to let go of Colin's neck. "No! No!"Then, I heard a burst of laughter. I opened my eyes and saw that everyone was laughing at me. Abashed, I climbed down Colin's back. Somehow, my timid expression made everyone laugh out loud.However, I felt comfortable with everyone here, so I wasn't too embarrassed. I eventually joined them and laughed at my own cowardice too. I was a chicken, wasn't I?As I turned around, I realized that Felix was standing behind Colin with a long face. He looked like he had just come out
In the end, Zara got the queen and Jade got the witch. I was the last one to draw and was surprised to see that I'd be playing the role of the princess.Felix had it worse, though. He was supposed to portray the boy laborer who was bullied. Poor thing. I wondered who would play the chef, then. They could give Felix a good smack!Meanwhile, Colin peered at me affectionately before the glass window. He was several years my senior. He wouldn't be playing such a childish game if it were not for my birthday. This kind of game was far beneath his sophisticated demeanor."Colin, which character did you get?" I wanted to check his character card. Felix stood in front of me, seemingly trying to tell me something. But I ignored him and rushed to Colin's side.Colin's fingers unfurled as he showed me the crumpled paper. The word "prince" was written on top. I blushed. At the end of the fairytale, the prince would wake the princess with a kiss. They then lived happily ever after.In other wor
It was just an innocent mistake. I didn't fuss over it, so how dare Colin make a big deal out of it? Besides, it was just a kiss. I didn't do anything else."So what? It was my first kiss too. Get up now. They'll come in soon."As soon as I finished the sentence, a voice blasted out from the speaker. "The prince has awakened the princess. In the next scene, the prince will carry the princess out of the palace."What? How did the operator know we were about to change to the next scene? Were they watching through the cameras? Oh, no. This was embarrassing. Colin turned around and extended his hands toward me. I rolled to the other side of the bed and uttered, "Heh, no need to carry me, Colin. I can walk.""According to the script, the princess should be carried in the prince's arms. Failure to do so will lose you the game," the voice continued.They could hear whatever conversation we had? Did that mean everyone knew that I accidentally kissed Colin? What the heck? Where was the p
When it was Felix's turn, he took out a red velvet box from his bag. It felt heavy. Thinking that it was jewelry, I wanted to say no. But my speculation was proven wrong when I opened it. It was a portrait of me.In the drawing, I was sitting on a bench, hugging the school bag on my lap. I was looking at something gleefully, and there were sparkles in my eyes.Felix must have drawn a younger version of me watching him play basketball. Those who didn't know began chattering. They complimented Felix's drawing and said it looked exactly like a younger me.But I was confused. What was Felix doing? He wasn't himself lately. Had he gone crazy from missing Lilac too much? I wanted us to go our separate ways, yet he kept doing things that sent me the wrong signals.I would have been flattered to receive a portrait someone drew for me. But if it came from Felix, I found it repulsive. I used to look up to him, but he trampled on my feelings. Now that I had given up on him, he brought up our
Zara wrapped her arms around my shoulder and asked mysteriously, "Do you know what giving out a bracelet as a present means?"It had another meaning? I shook my head. "No.""You're so naive," criticized Zara, as if not knowing what a bracelet meant was a cardinal sin."What does it mean?""It means he wants to tie the knot with you. I think Colin wants to be more than just your friend."I was putting food in my mouth, but what Zara said took me completely by surprise. I ended up swallowing without chewing. I wheezed and coughed out loud."What the heck? It's Colin we're talking about." I corrected Zara's misconception with my puffy cheeks that were red from coughing.Zara rolled her eyes at my naivete and said, "You'll see in the future."Colin was into me? But how could that be? When we finished lunch, it was already around 2:00 pm. We parted ways reluctantly but still in high spirits. We all agreed to hang out another day.After everyone had left, I saw Matthew smoking again
I was shocked. The chubby, always-smiling boy who was shorter than me had had a crush on me for many years?Matthew smirked, delighted to see the disbelief on my face. He ruffled my hair gently. "I was very mad when I found out. There were times when I wanted to confront Felix. But it was so many years ago. Why bring it back now, I thought."I was away these few years, and even when I returned, I hardly talked to the people in the group. I only learned yesterday and you and Felix weren't together. Before I came here, I told myself to keep a level head."But whatever I told myself was swiftly discarded when I saw Felix. I couldn't hold myself back. If you weren't there, I would've punched him.""I don't like violence." I didn't know what to say. These few words were the only ones I could come up with. It was difficult to talk about someone I had a crush on for years with someone who had a crush on me for years."Look, Lulu. I wouldn't have been so mad if he had treated you right an
"Farewell, Matt." I waved Matthew goodbye with teary eyes. We might not see each other anymore, but I'd never forget about him.Matthew froze mid-opening the car door. He then turned around and asked, "Lulu, will we meet again?"His voice was shaky. The sadness in his eyes threatened to flood over. The afternoon sun shone on his face, and I caught glimpses of wet spots in the corner of his eyes."Of course, we'll meet again. Who am I kidding?" Matthew cheered, opened the car door, and hopped in. He rolled down the car window and waved me goodbye before fleeing to the horizon.He was crying.I looked in Matthew's direction. Somehow, I had a hunch that we would meet again. Even if we did not see each other again, I'd forever remember that there was once a chubby boy who wrote 11 love letters to me. He had once devoted his love to me."Let's go back. Pining over him won't make him return." Colin came begrudgingly and dragged my arm.He was not more than ten steps away from Matthew