Chapter 10: The End of Happy Ending
Almost a year of dating, Timothy and Andrea was never fighting. His friends liked her because she was never whinning even when Timothy spent more times with them. She even played games with them once in a while, when there was no club activities. Instead, on their dates, his friend tried to not call Timothy for any reason. They were the most stable couple according to school votes, and also the most envied.
Who wouldn't want a girlfriend who treats your friends like actual friends? She could even play with them when they played games.
Who wouldn't want a boyfriend who doesn't glance at more beautiful girls around? He treated her delicately even when she only wore sweatpants and a T-shirt without even a hint of makeup on her face.
It couldn't get any more perfect. It was the happy ending of a high school couple romance.
Timothy was planning on breaking up with Andrea after getting into college. The long distance would be a good enough reason. It had been a year, and still, he couldn't muster the right feelings for her. It should have been less painful at that time, with her getting busy with college.
Until Qilin and Andrea found out his secrets, one after the other, ruining his carefully thought-out plans.
Now, back to their present...
Qilin was surrounded by his group; they dragged him to the rooftop, now waiting for his explanation. Even though Qilin wasn't against Timothy and Andrea dating back then, he had never been this friendly towards Andrea. Well, he had never been cold to anyone, but he had also never been close with anyone.
"I am dating her," Qilin answered tersely.
"ARE YOU CRAZY?!" Timothy couldn't believe it. He grabbed Qilin by the collar, looking so mad.
His worst fears had come true. No, it's turning into a nightmare.
Legion, who always had something to ask, became quiet for once. Meanwhile, Ricky readied his stance, prepared in case Timothy attacked in anger.
Qilin would be like meat on the chopping board then, totally helpless.
Timothy let Qilin go. He sighed, a deep frown on his forehead. He had so many things he wanted to say, but he knew it would be useless. Qilin was as headstrong as Andrea, maybe even more so.
"She's throwing a tantrum right now. Why do you involve yourself in this?!" Timothy tried to calm down and reason with Qilin.
"She was... hurt," Qilin's answer was short, but it was enough reason for him.
Timothy didn't say anything anymore. He left, not trying to convince Qilin any further.
"Well... I think she was just messing with Timothy right now. But, why you?" Legi couldn't shake off the weird feeling, no matter how he looked at it.
"Should it be you then?" Ricky retorted.
Legi: "Whatever... I'll go first."
Ricky looked at the quiet Qilin, unable to find the words. Even if this was Andrea's way of throwing a tantrum like Timothy said earlier, he couldn't understand why Qilin would go along with her.
"Hey... I want to confirm one thing first. Qilin... Do you like Andrea?" Ricky probed carefully.
"Mm," Qilin nodded.
"Seriously? Since when?"
"Around first year...? I'm not sure of the exact time myself," Qilin sighed dejectedly.
"EH? Then..." Ricky was shocked beyond words.
It had been long before Timothy and Andrea even started dating. Qilin had hidden his feelings so well that nobody could tell. How had Qilin felt all this time while Timothy and Andrea were together? And did Timothy have any inkling about Qilin's feelings?
Rick: "But... Why her? I mean... What do you like about her?"
"She's just nice and kind. She's wonderful, why not?"
Rick: "That's too general. Give me something real..."
"Why? She's wonderful; what more do you need?" a voice sounded behind them.
Sasha appeared out of nowhere, grinning playfully as she stood in front of Qilin, looking at him with admiring eyes.
"You have impeccable taste, Senior. There couldn't possibly be a more perfect woman in our generation. She's not just nice and kind, she's also incredibly strong! She's absolutely wonderful, I completely agree with you!" Sasha exclaimed passionately.
"Mm," Qilin nodded, his agreement evident.
"But..., let's face it, she clearly doesn't feel the same way about you. I'm sorry, but that's the harsh reality," she stated bluntly, hitting him where it hurt. Ricky almost gave her a thumbs up for her straightforwardness.
"I know. But, someday... Maybe, someday...," Qilin's voice trailed off, sounding like he was trying to convince himself more than anyone else.
"But, Qilin... This isn't right. It's not fair to Timothy, to you, or to her. Firstly, she's using you. This relationship won't last long under these circumstances. And not only will you lose her, but you'll also jeopardize your friendship," Ricky reasoned earnestly.
"What should I do?"
Ricky: "You should wait until she moves on. If, at that point, you still have feelings for her, you could try courting her again."
Qilin looked despondent. "Rick..., even if she moves on from Timothy, she won't even glance in my direction. I have zero... Even less than zero chance."
Sasha nodded in agreement. "Yup. There's no happy ending for a love story that can't even begin."
"That's why, even though things have started off this way, I'm not willing to let go of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Rick... What should I do? How can I make her like me, even just a little bit?" Qilin looked at Ricky with a mixture of hope and desperation.
"You just have to be nice... and kind to her. Be a wonderful boyfriend for her." Ricky said, randomly copying him.
"It's too vague! Give something real!" Qilin and Sasha said almost together.
Ricky twitched his eyes. He was so done with them.
"Well... You just have to show her that you're different. Be there for her, support her, make her laugh, and above all, be genuine. Be the kind of guy she can rely on and trust," Ricky suggested, trying to provide more concrete advice.