âArenât you going to listen to what I have to say?â
Since she had already started, she might as well be bold to the end. âDongyu, Iâve only just transferred to a high school. Iâve like you since the first time I saw you at the school reopening ceremony! The chocolates were from me, as was the greeting card. I didnât have the courage to confess to you. I also felt that perhaps this might be one-sided and cause you to feel troubled, but⦠these gifts are from my heart. Must you reject them?â
Dongyu was a very soft-hearted person. At least, every time I got into trouble and he was angry with me, I would coax him and ask for forgiveness. No matter how angry he was, it wouldnât last long.
However, now, for the first time, I realized that Dongyu wasnât at all soft-hearted.
Although the girl looked like she was on the verge of tears, he remained stone-faced was spoke coldly. âDonât cry, and donât feel aggrieved. I know you like me, but I have no obligation to respond to you.â
The girl probably did not expect him to be so straightforward and cruel with his words. Now that there were others present, she felt embarrassed and did not even think about the chocolates. She turned around and ran out of the classroom.
Only then did the boys started to react. They walked up and teased, âDongyu, do you have to make her sad like this?â
âYeah, that girlâs eyes are swollen from crying!â
Dongyu glanced at them and said calmly, âSince I canât reciprocate, then I should not give her any hope.â
When I heard this, I was stunned.
On the way home, sitting behind him on his bike, I circled my arms around his waist and asked curiously, âDongyu, do you receive love letters often?â
âNo.â
âI remember that many girls liked you when you were in primary school.â
I tightened by arms around him. âWill you fall in love one day?â I asked uneasily.
I felt his back stiffen.
Then he ask gloomily, âIs there someone you like?â
âNo!â
âI donât like anyone but you,â I added immediately.
âThis is only for now.â Dongyu smiled. âWhen you grow up, youâll find a boy you like. Youâll get to know him, understand him, fall in love with him, and be together with him for the rest of your life.â
âOf course not!â
I said disdainfully, âI like Dongyu the most. I donât like anyone else!â
Then as if trying to avoid this topic, he asked,
âWhat do you feel like having for dinner?â
Seeing that he had skipped the topic, I did not persist. We talked about other things.
But his words left me feeling uneasy.
⦠Will he meet a girl he likes someday?
Will he get to know her, understand her, fall in love with her, and be together with her for the rest of his life?
Then⦠what about me?
What would my place in his life be if such a day were to come?
That night, when he was asleep, I crept into his room and sat on the edge of his bed, watching him sleep.
Since we were little, I was the closest person to him.
God knew how many people envied this special status.
However, when I thought about the day when another girl would take my place, I felt indignant.
I lay down beside him. As I hugged him, a bold idea popped into my headâcould I like him?
As soon as the thought hit me, my body tensed up.
The word âlikeâ was all too familiar.
But âloveâ was rather foreign.
I liked him, but I didnât know if that was love.