The following morning, the sky was overcast, and a light drizzle fell over the campus. Mei stood at the window of her dorm room, staring out at the rain-soaked courtyard. Her heart felt heavy from her conversation with Liam the night before. The "I'm sorry" he had whispered still echoed in her mind, but the meaning behind it was unclear. Did he feel the same, or was it a polite rejection?
She sighed, shaking her head. Her phone buzzed on the desk. It was Max, sending her a photo of his breakfast with a caption: "Breakfast of champions. Let's drown our sorrows in carbs."
Despite the turmoil in her heart, she smiled. Max had an uncanny ability to lift her spirits no matter how low she felt. She quickly replied: "Meet me at the café?"
As she made her way through the rain, her thoughts wandered back to Liam. The uncertainty was driving her crazy. She had been so brave last night, confessing her feelings, but now she was left with nothing but doubt. She needed clarity, but part of her was terrified to push for an answer.
Max was already seated at the café when she arrived, waving her over with a grin. He had ordered enough pastries to feed a small army, and the sight of them made her laugh.
"Are you trying to cheer me up, or put me in a sugar coma?" Mei asked, sliding into the chair across from him.
"Why not both?" Max replied with a wink, pushing a croissant toward her. "You looked like you could use it."
Mei took a bite, savoring the buttery warmth. "Thanks, Max. I needed this."
Max leaned back in his chair, studying her. "So… how did it go with Liam last night?"
Mei bit her lip, unsure of how to explain. "I told him," she said finally. "I told him I'm in love with him."
Max raised his eyebrows. "And?"
"And… he said he didn't know. And then he said he was sorry."
"Oof," Max winced. "Not exactly the response you were hoping for, huh?"
Mei shook her head, staring down at her coffee. "I don't know what to think. He didn't reject me outright, but he didn't exactly say anything, either. It's like he's stuck, and now I'm stuck too."
Max reached across the table and patted her hand. "Hey, at least you said something. That's more than most people would do. Now it's up to him to figure out how he feels."
Mei nodded, though the uncertainty still gnawed at her. She was about to change the subject when the door to the café swung open. Liam walked in, drenched from the rain, his hair plastered to his forehead. He spotted her almost immediately and hesitated for a moment before walking over.
Max's eyes darted between the two of them, sensing the tension. "Well, this looks like my cue to leave," he said, standing up and grabbing the rest of his pastries. "Good luck, Mei. See you around, Liam."
Mei barely registered Max's departure. Her heart was pounding as Liam sat down in the seat Max had vacated. His face was unreadable, and she braced herself for whatever was coming next.
"Mei," he began, his voice quiet but steady. "We need to talk."
She swallowed hard. "I figured."
Liam glanced down at his hands before meeting her eyes. "About last night… I've been thinking a lot about what you said. And I'm sorry if I didn't give you a clear answer. The truth is… I'm confused."
Mei's heart sank. "Confused?"
Liam nodded, running a hand through his damp hair. "I didn't expect you to say what you did. I've always seen you as my best friend, and I didn't realize how much you meant to me until you said those words. But the thing is… Eva."
Mei stiffened at the mention of Eva. Of course, she thought. It always comes back to her.
"I know you've noticed me spending more time with her," Liam continued. "And I've been trying to figure out what I feel for her too. I don't want to hurt you, Mei, but I don't want to lie to you either."
Mei clenched her fists under the table, trying to keep her emotions in check. "So what are you saying, Liam? That you're choosing her?"
"I'm not choosing anyone," Liam said quickly, his voice filled with frustration. "That's the problem. I don't know what I want, and I don't want to make a mistake that ruins everything."
Mei stood abruptly, unable to listen any longer. The café felt stifling, and she needed air. She grabbed her jacket and headed for the door.
"Mei, wait!" Liam called after her, but she didn't stop.
The rain hit her the moment she stepped outside, cold and relentless, but it felt refreshing against her heated skin. She hurried down the sidewalk, her heart racing. Liam's words echoed in her head, but all she could focus on was the fact that he didn't know how he felt about her.
She reached the edge of the campus, near the fountain, and stopped to catch her breath. Tears mixed with the raindrops on her face as she tried to process everything.
Why did love have to be so complicated?
She heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Liam running toward her, his face filled with concern. He stopped a few feet away, panting slightly.
"Mei, please. I didn't mean to hurt you."
Mei wiped her face, unsure if the wetness was from tears or the rain. "Then what do you want from me, Liam? I poured my heart out to you, and all you can say is you're confused. Do you even realize how that feels?"
Liam's shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry," he said again, his voice hoarse. "I'm sorry I don't have a better answer for you. But I do care about you. More than you know."
"That's not enough," Mei whispered, her voice trembling. "I can't just be someone you 'care about.' I need to know where I stand."
The rain continued to fall around them, creating a soft, steady rhythm that filled the silence between them. Liam looked down, water dripping from his hair, and took a deep breath.
"I know," he said softly. "And I don't want to lose you. But I don't want to rush into something just because I'm scared of what might happen."
Mei shook her head, her heart breaking all over again. "Maybe it's not about rushing, Liam. Maybe it's about being honest with yourself."
Liam looked up at her, his eyes filled with something she couldn't quite place—regret, maybe, or confusion. But whatever it was, it wasn't enough to change how she felt.
"Take your time," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I can't wait forever."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Liam standing alone in the rain.