I pretended to be asleep and ignored Helen."Stop pretending. I know you're awake," she slurred and flopped onto her bed."How did you find out?" I propped myself up. Helen lay on her bed. Her glamorous attire failed to conceal the disappointment and sadness she was feeling."Your eyes were moving. And your breathing was odd too. You don't breathe like that when you're asleep." Helen sat up and ruffled her hair out of frustration.Her nose was red, and she spoke with a nasal voice. I wondered if the autumn wind had given her a cold or if she had cried for a long time.Given her looks and her family background, Helen was prideful and confident. But her unrequited love for Matthew might have dealt a huge blow to her ego. I was also certain that Matthew was the reason why she was so upset now. However, there wasn't much I could do.To ask a guy who liked me to like another woman was very cruel. I couldn't possibly do that."It's getting late. Go to bed." I turned to the other sid
"I once swore that I'd marry Matthew. So whenever a woman tried to approach him, I'd chase her away. When I heard that he had fallen for another woman, I told myself that once I found out who she was, I'd beat her up."Helen sobbed loudly. I felt sorry for her.Unrequited love was a lonely journey. Only those who had gone through it understood how excruciating it could be."So, why didn't you beat me up?" I teased.Helen knew I was joking, but she grabbed a plushie and threw it on my face nonetheless. She sniffled and said, "Because you're so sweet. Also, it isn't your fault that he fell for you. I can't beat you up. I'm not that heartless."My bad day was turned around after hearing Helen's words.Among the arrogant, condescending upper-class people beyond my reach, there was still someone who treated others with kindness.Oh, Helen. She was a sweetheart too. Matthew and she would make a great pair. I hoped Helen would never give up."Helen, you fight for your love. Trust me,
It rained for three days straight, and the temperature dropped as a result.As it was getting cold, I put on thick winter clothes before I did my daily commute of going to the apartment, lecture hall, and cafeteria.Helen stopped coming back to the apartment the second night after the incident. I was all alone in the cold apartment.When I was bored, I'd talk to my friends. More often than not, I'd be texting Colin.It wasn't that I was neglecting my friends, but they all had a boyfriend. They didn't have time for me. Colin and I were both single, so we were like each other's support group.On the fourth day, I had a lecture in the morning. As soon as I entered the lecture hall, I saw my classmates gossiping about something excitedly."So what's the good news? Did they increase the scholarship amount or something?" I found a seat at the front of the lecture hall. Then, I took out the textbooks from my bag and placed them on my desk. I also took out the draft I drew yesterday so t
Professor Ash, in his dapper outfit, walked toward the lectern in broad strides. My classmates cheered. They gossiped about their idol in hushed voices.Professor Ash seemed to be very familiar with this kind of reception. He waited patiently until the class calmed down. Then, he said, "Hi, everyone. I'm Ash King. I'm honored to be part of Jesselton College."In the foreseeable future we share together, I'll do my best to impart what I know to you. I hope you can stay sharp and keep up with my pace. Those who don't pay attention or finish their assignments on time will have their marks deducted. This is non-negotiable."A commotion broke out again. This time, it was a collective groan.Watching my classmates complain about the harsh lecturer, I chuckled.Professor Ash was a renowned artist. In his eyes, attitude was more important than talent. My perseverance and thirst for knowledge were the reason why he specially tutored me.That said, this didn't mean that talent wasn't impor
"As you can see, I couldn't be better. You, however, have lost so much weight. Work as hard as you want and you still can't own all the riches in the world. You should look after your body. If you don't do that while you're young, you'll age very quickly and you'll regret it."I didn't know what else to say.No amount of consolation could mend the brokenhearted Matthew.He looked at me and then sideways. He smiled. It was a beautiful smile, albeit a bit lonely."Yeah, I'll take care of myself. Go back to your apartment. I'll get going now. It's cold now. Make sure you cover yourself.""Will do. Thanks. Goodbye." I then entered my apartment building.There was a floor-to-ceiling glass pane at the entrance. I caught Matthew's pitiful silhouette standing under the autumn rain.His head was lowered, his Adam's apple rolling up and down. Pain and misery were written all over his face.I knew I had shattered his heart. Sorry, Matthew.Back in my apartment, Helen was standing by the
"I cherish Matthew's feelings toward me. But we hadn't started dating each other. I refuse to be belittled, and I don't want him to fall out with his family for me. I will not be called nasty names for the rest of my life."He had plenty of options. He was told to choose one option, yet he chose both. You know what that is, Helen? That's a mistake.""I get what you're saying, Luna. But seeing him so devastated and so heartbroken pains me. I know my demand is very selfish. But I don't know how else to reduce his suffering.""No one can help Matthew. Not even me. He has to go through this alone. If I can't commit to him or give him a future, I shouldn't give him false hope. Otherwise, he'll fall even deeper in love with me. Helen, don't you like him too? Why don't you keep him company in this time of need?"They say hardships bring the best out of everyone. I'm sure that one day, he'll notice what you've done for him. I firmly believe that his feelings for me are nothing but an infat
Matthew's dressing was changed before he was pushed into a ward. The doctor said he had a high fever and needed to be hospitalized for a few days.He must be seriously ill because after all the medical help, he still hadn't regained consciousness."Luna, you're so cruel. He refused to see a doctor when he had a fever back at home. And to see you, he put his life on the line." Helen kept sobbing. Her eyes and nose were red from the crying.I felt so guilty as I looked at the sleeping Matthew. Regardless if I could return his feelings or not, I felt like I had just stepped and spat on his devotion.I should consider myself lucky to be loved by such a loyal man. Alas, there were too many things between us. I couldn't reciprocate his feelings."Helen, I'll go back now. Don't tell him that I came." I retrieved my phone from the corner of the bed and gazed at the unconscious Matthew. Then, I steeled my mind and left.Helen chased after me and cussed at how heartless I was. She said bad
I was still sobbing when Jade called. Surprised by my sniffling voice, she asked if Felix and Lilac had bullied me again.Now that she brought it up, I realized that I hadn't seen them for a long while.Did they have a moral epiphany and decide to stop pestering me? Good for them!"Luna, you dummy. When they bully you, you fight back. It's time to stand up for yourself. You're five-foot-five, and meekness doesn't look good on you. You're willing to endure the bullying, but I'm not. Let me avenge you. I'll call Felix right away and give him an earful.""Don't, don't. I haven't seen them in a while. My eyes and ears appreciate the current peace, so please don't provoke them."Jade then wondered, "So, they aren't trying to get your attention now? Felix can live without your attention, but I highly doubt Lilac can do the same."I had the same question too. Life was full of surprises."I don't know why they're doing this, but I'm not complaining.""Right, you can now enjoy your peac