Under the ethereal canopy of cherry blossoms, their delicate petals danced a graceful descent, perfuming the air with a tender sweetness.
There I stood, beneath the boughs of that majestic tree, my hands clasped together in a nervous embrace.
For days, I had rehearsed the six simple words I longed to utter, yet now, in the presence of the one I adored, each syllable seemed to elude me like a fleeting dream.
Before me stood Lu Jinghe, tall and imposing, with his unruly azure locks and eyes that sparkled like rubies.
Though his expression betrayed a mixture of confusion and curiosity, he remained patient as I summoned the courage to speak.
Lu Jinghe— the object of my affection for nearly three years.
With a gentle gesture, he inquired, "Are you Li Su from class 'C'?"
My heart fluttered with relief at his recognition. "Y-Yes," I stammered, relieved yet still trembling with nerves. "I'm glad you remember me."
His curiosity piqued, he queried, "Is there a reason you've called me here?"
At that moment, I knew it was time to confess.
With trembling hands, I rubbed my palms together, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks as I averted my gaze in embarrassment.
Instead of meeting Jinghe's eyes, as I should have, I remained fixated on the ground below, lost in the tumult of my own emotions.
As the words tumbled from my lips, carried on a trembling breath, the world around us seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.
"Huh?" Jinghe's voice broke through the stillness, echoing my own uncertainty.
Summoning every ounce of courage within me, I blurted out, "I like you! Please go out with me!"
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the air, its playful whistle intertwining with the fluttering cherry blossoms as if nature itself conspired to amplify the significance of our moment.
In that perfect atmosphere, under the gentle caress of the wind and the fleeting embrace of the blossoms, I dared to lift my gaze to meet Jinghe's.
His reaction was a tableau of astonishment, his eyes widened in disbelief, his hand frozen mid-air behind his neck.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still, suspended in the space between our hearts.
Then, as if shaken from a trance, Jinghe's hand dropped to his side, his gaze now cast downward in bashful contemplation.
Hope flickered within me as I waited, eager to hear his response.
Finally, with newfound resolve, Jinghe met my gaze with a confident smile, ready to share his answer with the world.
"I'm sorry, but I'm in love with someone else," Jinghe's words pierced the fragile bubble of hope I had dared to inflate.
Silence engulfed us, heavy with the weight of dashed dreams. Anything I could utter now would be futile, rendered meaningless by the stark reality before me.
Slowly, my gaze drifted downward, disappointment settling like a heavy cloak upon my shoulders.
"I see," I managed, forcing a smile through the ache in my heart. "It can't be helped. I wish you luck with your love." Behind the facade of composure, tears threatened to spill, concealed behind the shield of my glasses.
"Thanks," Jinghe murmured, his own discomfort palpable in the chilly breeze that now swept through the once-perfect atmosphere.
With a heavy sigh, I watched as he made his departure, the warmth between us dissipating with each step he took.
The wind, once a playful companion to our confession, now turned icy and bitter, mirroring the frost that had settled upon my shattered hopes.
"It's time to go," he stated softly, breaking the tense silence that lingered between us.
Indeed, lingering any longer would only exacerbate the awkwardness that now hung thick in the air.
And so, with a heavy heart, we parted ways, each retreating into the solitude of our own thoughts, leaving behind the fragments of a dream that was never meant to be.
My name is Li Su, a third-year high school student known for my short pink hair and eyes that shimmer like amethysts, often hidden behind black-rimmed spectacles.
Since the first year of high school, I've harbored an unrequited love for Lu Jinghe. It was love at first sight, a feeling that took root deep within my heart and refused to let go.
Jinghe, the epitome of popularity in our class, commands the attention of countless admirers with his charisma and charm. He moves through the halls with an effortless grace, a magnetic presence that draws others to him like moths to a flame. Yet, amidst the throng of followers and fan girls, my love for him remains a solitary flame, burning brightly in the shadows of his adoration.
As I make my way down the bustling school corridor, I can feel the weight of countless eyes upon me. It's only been a matter of hours since I poured my heart out to Jinghe behind the schoolyard during lunch break, yet the news has already spread like wildfire.
"Hey, isn't that the girl?" whispers a voice from behind.
"Yeah, it's her," another responds, dripping with disdain.
I hear their words like a sharp jab to my already bruised heart. Someone from my class must have witnessed my confession to Jinghe from afar and eagerly spread the gossip throughout the school.
Ignoring the hurtful remarks, I press on, determined to not let their cruel words pierce the armor I've built around my fragile emotions. With each step, I steel myself for the inevitable stares and whispers, finding solace in the familiarity of my classroom awaiting me at the end of the corridor.
As I reach the entrance of the classroom, I slide the door open, only to be greeted by a sudden onslaught of noise and movement.
"Susu!" a familiar voice calls out, followed by the sound of rapid footsteps.
"Huh?" I barely have time to register before I find myself enveloped in a tight embrace.
It's Lan Qin, my best friend, her long silver hair cascading around us like a protective shield. With her blue eyes sparkling with concern and her fair face twisted in distress, she clings to me with all the fervor of a lifeline.
"Susu! Don't cry! Boohoo!" she sobs, her words muffled against my shoulder.
"I'm not crying, it's you who's crying," I chuckle softly, though the truth is, while disappointment weighs heavy on my heart, tears have yet to come.
"Did that bastard Jinghe say anything mean to you?" Lan's voice bristles with indignation, her protective instincts kicking into overdrive.
"No, he didn't," I assure her, touched by her unwavering loyalty. "He kindly gave his reply."
"He better should! Or else I'll kill him," Lan declares, her expression morphing into a terrifying mask of determination.
"YOU DON'T NEED TO BE SO SCARY, LAN!" I laugh, though the chill that runs down my spine is all too real.
As Lan and I stand chatting in front of the classroom entrance, the hum of conversation between us is abruptly interrupted by the sound of rapid footsteps.
"BAM!"
Before I can react, someone collides with me, sending us both tumbling to the ground.
"Ouch!" I wince, feeling the impact reverberate through my body.
"Susu!" the voice is familiar, tinged with a hint of apology.
As I glance up, I find myself staring into the eyes of a boy, his blonde hair tousled and his features twisted in pain. It's clear that he hadn't intended for our encounter to end quite so abruptly.
With an apologetic smile, he extends a hand to help me up, his tall frame towering over me as I dust myself off.
It's evident that he's not to blame for our collision; after all, my decision to linger in front of the classroom entrance was a careless one.
Despite the mishap, there's something undeniably charming about him, from the sweetness of his scent to the gentle kindness in his eyes. And as I notice the key dangling from his neck, I can't help but wonder about the mysteries hidden behind his captivating facade.
"Ugh..." The weight pressing down on me shifts, and I realize the boy is now sprawled on top of me.
"I'm sorry, but could you get up, please?" I request, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping up my cheeks.
"Oh, yeah... Sorry about that," he mumbles, lifting his head and meeting my gaze with ruby-red eyes that gleam like polished gems.
His intense stare leaves me feeling exposed, as if he's peering into the depths of my soul. Though I find it unnerving, I refrain from voicing my discomfort, opting instead to meet his gaze with a hesitant smile.
"Are you... A girl?" he asks slowly, his face draining of color, as if struck by a sudden revelation.
"Huh? Y-yes!" I reply, taken aback by his question. Do I really look that much like a boy?
With a swift motion, the boy springs away from me, his hand flying to cover his nose as if repelled by an unseen force. Confusion swirls within me as I lie on the floor, pondering the strange encounter that has left me feeling both bewildered and intrigued.
"Eh?" Lan and I exchange a perplexed glance as the boy's complexion takes on an even paler hue.
"SPLURT!"
A crimson torrent erupts from his nose, spraying out like a macabre fountain, staining the floor with a gruesome reminder of his sudden affliction.
"Oh my GOD! LAN, CALL THE AMBULANCE!" I shriek, panic seizing hold of my senses.
"NO, THAT'S A PERVERT!" Lan's response is swift and resolute, her voice laced with indignation.
But is he truly a pervert? And why did he suddenly suffer a nosebleed?
The mystery deepens, leaving us with more questions than answers as we await the next twist in this bewildering tale. Stay tuned for the next episode, where the secrets lurking beneath the surface are sure to be unveiled.