Torn

Tristan was stupefied at what he just heard.

'She likes me?'

He couldn't even respond for a moment... Her words were still echoing in his ears.

"W-Why are you crying over it? I... I don't think you hate me, either" Tristan faintly chuckled.

"And... We're friends... That's normal... Right?" He added, scratching the back of his head.

Summer wiped her wet cheeks then once again sighed. "No... It's not like what you think."

Summer held Tristan's hands and gently caressed the back of it with her thumbs.

"I like you, Trish... I really like you... Not just as friends... I see you more than that..."

Tristan was stunned... Looking at Summer's sincere eyes, he couldn't stop himself to feel delighted... His heart won't stop jumping, its normal beat doubled.

Is this real? Was he really reciprocated? The words that escaped from Summer's mouth were like a blurry dream that gradually became clearer. The scenario he was fantasizing about for so long turned into reality at last!

By dint of undeniable excitement and great joy, he was about to return Summer's feelings... But as he ceased himself to smile, he also gave it a second thought.

He forgot, he presented himself as TRISH who was her BEST FRIEND and not TRISTAN who fell in love with her. Yeah, the real reality slammed him hard.

Pain and disappointment rushed within him. He felt bad for being unable to express his hidden affection... But, he felt worst knowing that Summer confessed to the wrong person.

Tristan averted his gaze and tried to act as cold as possible. He quickly pulled his hands back and clenched them while holding back the tears that have been wanting to fall off.

"I suddenly remember. I... I have something to do. E-Excuse me" Tristan said then went back in without throwing another look at Summer.

It may be a cowardness of him for leaving Summer without explaining anything and giving her a proper response, but what else he could do? He was torn between holding on to Summer as what Tristan wanted but he should let her go because he was hidden by Trish's identity...

He has two characters that both couldn't grasp the opportunity of owning the person he deeply like...

His thoughts were drifted and jumbled while walking the way to the leisure room. He blankly stared at the knob for a second as he stopped in front of the door.

Tanya almost jumped in surprise and Whifler snapped his head as Tristan harshly pushed the door open.

His dejected eyes were seen and his trembling body was obvious. He was just standing there, preventing himself from regretting the decision he made then lowered his gaze to the floor soon after.

Tanya looked behind him, wondering.

"Where's Summer?"

Whifler stood up then walked towards him.

"What happened?"

"L-Let's go home" Tristan's voice was filled with gloom that made Whifler and Tanya worriedly glance at each other.

Tanya ran out of the Leisure room to search for Summer while Whifler paced even closer to Tristan and tapped his shoulder.

"You still have remaining appointments, should we re-schedule it?" Tristan slightly nodded at Whifler's question.

"Alright... Wait here for a while. I'll just wrap everything up"

Meanwhile, Tanya finally spotted Summer.

Her forehead wrinkled as she saw her dazedly staring at nowhere. It was like she was in eye-to-eye contact with a ghost.

Tanya slowly walked near her. "Summer?"

Summer looked in her direction with reddish eyes. Obviously, she'd been crying... It was further proven when the tears in her both eyes fell.

"Sorry" Summer apologized with a cracking voice, wiping her unstoppable tears. "This is embarrassing"

"No... No... It's fine..." Tanya's soft voice and worrying look made her cry even more. Tanya immediately reached for her and tightly embraced her.

Tanya didn't say a word, instead, she caressed Summer's hair to comfort her. She let Summer cry her heart out until she decides to stop.

Sometimes, wordless comfort was way better than vocalized console.

After a few minutes of sobbing and grieving, Summer finally calmed down.

Tanya fixed her messy hair then softly stared at her.

"Feel better?"

Summer weakly smiled. "Yes. Thank you"

"Now... Can I ask what happened?"

Summer hesitated for a moment, but the thought of Tanya's trustworthiness convinced her to speak.

"Do you remember the question I asked you before? About liking the same gender?"

"Yes."

"I-It's Trish I was talking about"

Tanya's expression didn't change nor did she flinch. She wasn't surprised at all. Why? Because she already knew. Although it was just her instinct before, still, she believed her gut was right. And yeah she definitely was.

"I see... But... Why are you crying? Did you fight?"

Summer bit her lower lip while shaking her head, stopping herself from crying again.

"I... Confessed."

Tanya's eyes widened. She didn't anticipate this one to happen. Yeah, she knows Summer was born incredibly brave but she didn't think she would actually confess despite the situation she was in.

"And? What's her response?"

"Nothing... She just told me she forgot to do something... I don't know if that's her way to reject me or what... Like... I'm not sure if she wasn't ready or she literally turned me down. I don't know... I'm... I'm so lost..." Tanya could feel the pain in Summer's voice.

'So this is the reason why Tristan looked like that earlier' Tanya thought as she remembered Tristan's wretched appearance.

"But... I understand her, anyway... Maybe... Maybe she was confused or shocked. I couldn't blame her, who wouldn't be surprised if one of your best friends suddenly confessed their feelings to you, right?... Right?" Summer bitterly tee-heed, trying to be optimistic about it.

"Yes. Give her time to think first. It will be fine, don't worry" Tanya smiled.

"Hopefully..."

"Everything will surely be fine. So, have some rest for now. Okay? Don't think about it too much... I texted Melissa before I came here... She will be here soon to pick you up"

Summer nodded. "Thanks, Tanya."

"No problem"

They both looked at the glass walls as they saw a familiar car parked in front of the entrance.

"She's here. You should go home now. It's getting darker, too"

"Yeah... Uhm. Just... Tell them I'm... Going home"

"I will... Take care."

Summer once again nodded then headed to Melissa.

Tanya let out a long sigh then stood up after Summer's car left.

'Oh, dear. Seems like everything was getting more and more complicated.'

.

.

.

Summer sluggishly opened the door of her house. She dazedly turned the lights on while removing her shoes and putting them on the shoe rock beside the doorstep.

"This day su—AH!" summer exclaimed, startled at Amber who was like a ghost having a feast in her kitchen. "What the hell. Amber!"

"Yo." Amber calmly greeted her then continued to eat.

Summer blinked and sank in everything for a moment before running towards her then squeezed Amber with her tight hug.

"Oh ghad. Summer! I'm eating!"

"I'm so worried about you. You didn't contact me after I left that day" Summer loosened her arms around Amber's shoulders then sat beside her.

"I was grounded. And yesterday was the last day."

"Are you fine? Did Reign hurt you?"

"Yes, I'm perfectly fine, though I nearly lost my mind in extreme boredom. Because imagine, I was locked in my room without anything! Even a radio just to give a little noise. Ghad!... Also, Reign was busy with her movie... It's ending soon, wasn't it?" Amber answered as she shoved the spoonful of rice inside her mouth.

"Mhm... I'm glad to hear that." Summer's expression swiftly changed, then jolted to look at Amber.

"Wait a minute! Who told you to break in here?"

Amber's eyes narrowed while boredly staring at Summer. "What's the purpose of my spare key, if I still need to ask permission from you."

"FYI my dear sister, just because you had a key doesn't mean you can get in and out of my house. I am still the owner, you should let me know at least."

"I was acknowledged as a second owner, have you not informed?"

"Tss. Acknowledge your face"

"It's true" Amber protested, rolling her eyes.

"Really, huh... And by who?"

"By ME. And you can't argue with that." Amber teasingly waved her eyebrows up and down then returned her focus to her food.

Summer just dumbfoundedly stared at her thick-faced step-sister.

"Okay. From now on, we'll split the bills and expenses." Summer told then paced towards her room.

Amber snapped her head, unbelievably rounded her eyes. "WHAT?!"

"No 'Whats'. You're the second owner, you say?. So... Bye! Bye!" Summer's voice echoed as she shouted from the stairs.

Amber couldn't do anything but sigh.

"Backfire is a hell of karma. Tsk"