Chapter 3
1337 Words
ASTER
Why do I need to keep waiting for a miracle just to be loved back by my best friend? I could just focus my attention on someone else, right? Maybe I should respond to one of my two suitors. Feelings can develop over time, they say, so why not give it a try?
My first option was Jigger—good-looking, but overly confident about it. There was even speculation that he only pursued me because he thought I deserved a fairytale love story, like a prince falling in love with someone plain like me. His confidence was sky-high, but he could not compete with my best friend.
Then there was Clint, who was as ordinary as I was. We fit well together—both middle-ground types in society. He wasn't handsome, but he wasn't unattractive either. He was the perfect match for me in terms of personality, too, since I never felt any awkwardness when I was around him.
But there was one problem—he wasn’t sweet. When he would only text me good morning, followed by something like, "When will you say yes to me?" Just like that, as if he was asking what was for dinner.
He didn’t even bother to put some romantic lines. Cheesy as it sounds, maybe I would be swayed into saying yes if he put in a little more effort. But unlike Yuan, who was not only handsome but also incredibly thoughtful.
Wait a second, why did I keep comparing everyone to Yuan? How was I supposed to get a boyfriend if I would set such high standards?
One of the things I secretly liked about my best friend was that he kept his promises. Just this morning, he woke me up with a knock. When I opened the door, he told me breakfast was ready— he’d cooked for me.
Also, he fulfilled his promise to take me to the salon to have my hair done. Before we left, he even washed our dishes, saying he wanted to make it up to me since he had almost gotten me into trouble.
I couldn’t forget his reaction after my hair was rebonded. He stared at me for a few seconds, then finally said I looked pretty with the straight hair.
My heart skipped a beat. I almost forgot how to breathe for a moment. Honestly, I barely recognized myself when I looked in the mirror. Not to brag, but I think I agreed with Yuan. They say a woman’s hair is her crowning glory, and maybe that was true for me. Still, even with the transformation, it wasn’t enough to make me beautiful by society’s standards.
I pulled out my phone from my bag when I heard it ring.
"Where are you now?" I asked right away.
Yuan was calling. I’d been waiting outside the University for him because we’d agreed to go home together.
"I'm sorry, Aster. But you can go ahead. Samantha asked me to come over to her apartment—she has something to show me."
I rolled my eyes. "Alright, I’ll go home alone."
"Okay, don’t bother cooking. I’ll bring dinner."
"Okay," I said before ending the call and putting my phone back in my bag.
I checked the time on my watch. It was still early to head home. I could hang out in the library. I went back inside the campus, and as usual, I took the shortcut across the plant box instead of the proper path.
I felt like I had won the Olympics whenever I reached the end without falling. The security guard often called me out, but I would just run off. Even Yuan would sometimes get annoyed when we took this route.
When I reached the end of the plant box, I jumped, but suddenly someone walked by. I tried to twist my body to avoid hitting him, but it was too late. I ended up landing right on him, and he took the full weight of my fall.
I quickly stood up and immediately checked on him. I tried to help him sit up, but it was difficult—he was a big guy.
He wasn’t moving— just lying unconscious. I held my breath, wondering if he was still alive. Did I accidentally kill him? But that was impossible! Was my fall really that deadly?
"Are you okay?" I asked as I shook him slightly.
I breathed a sigh of relief when he finally started moving, sitting up. I covered my mouth when I saw that blood began to drip from his nose.
I quickly pulled a handkerchief from my pocket and put it to his nose. "Blow your nose! Just blow it all out," I instructed in a panic.
"What? Do you think it’s just a cold?" He brushed my hand away and wiped his nose with his hand, giving me a glare.
"But—"
"Carry me," he demanded.
"Huh?"
"I think I broke a bone. Take me to the clinic."
"I can’t carry you," I said honestly. My small frame could never lift a guy like him.
"If I can’t play in the finals, you’re going to be in big trouble," he warned.
"Huh?" I said again.
The guy frowned as he got to his feet. He dusted off his clothes and checked his elbow. When he was sure he wasn’t injured, he looked back at me. "It’s a blow to my ego that there’s a girl who doesn’t know who I am."
I furrowed my brow. Was he famous? I had no clue. I wasn’t really sociable. I had never done any boy-hunting in the university like other girls did. I didn’t even join groups that talked about their crushes. I was too afraid my secret love for my best friend would slip out. Not even my closest friends, Tanya and Ava knew about it.
"You really don’t know me?" He looked surprised at my clueless expression.
I shook my head.
"I’m the captain of the University basketball team. I’m Lance Steven," he said proudly, though he didn’t come off as arrogant.
"Oh, really?" was all I could say.
"I’m seriously offended. My good looks seem to have no effect on you." He pouted dramatically.
"Sorry, it’s just... I’m not into sports, so I didn’t know you." I admitted.
In all honesty, he was good-looking. He had the same height as Yuan—I had to look up to meet his gaze. Moreover, he had a cute dimple on his left cheek and he seemed approachable.
"I liked your curly hair before, though."
I was surprised with what he said. "Wait, why did you..."
Lance scratched the back of his neck, suddenly looking a bit shy. "Actually, I knew you’d jump off the end of that plant box, like you always do. I planned it perfectly."
"I don’t understand," I said, confused.
"As embarrassing as it is to admit, I... well, I’m kind of your stalker. I know you’re a second-year architecture student, and you’re smart, too. Ever since I saw you, I’ve been drawn to you. Although you’re not that pretty, your smile is captivating. I like your lips, your innocent face... everything. Cheesy, I know, but I think it was love at first sight."
I was speechless at everything he said.
"I’ve wanted to approach you for a while, but I couldn’t because you’re always with that annoying guy, Yuan. Are you two together? I thought he was dating Samantha?"
"Yuan is my childhood friend and best friend. Looks like you didn’t do your research well," I replied.
"Everyone knows you two are best friends, but he acts like your boyfriend," Lance muttered, scratching his head again. "Never mind. Where are you going?"
"The library," I replied.
"Want me to come with you?"
"Oh, no need. I want to concentrate on my reading." I declined politely.
"Can I at least get your number?" he asked, pulling out his phone.
Without hesitation, I gave him my number because he seemed trustworthy.
- Writer
