The morning sun poured through the window of Rose's bedroom, illuminating the walls plastered with pictures and posters of their favorite pop stars and movie icons. Rose lay on her bed, her heart heavy as she flipped through her favorite magazine, pretending to be absorbed in its pages. In reality, she couldn't ignore the gnawing sensation in her stomach—the sensation created by the whispers and jeers of her classmates at Merry Dream High School, where she felt more like a ghost than a girl.
"Lui, you ready for school?" Rose called out, her voice tinged with a false cheerfulness. Today was supposed to be their regular routine, but something felt profoundly different.
From the other room, Lui replied, "Just a minute! I'm still looking for my tie!"
Rose tucked her hair behind her ear and took a deep breath, willing herself to put on a brave face. She admired Lui's confidence; he was brilliant, charming, and everyone adored him. Yet, as she caught her reflection in the mirror, her heart sank. She felt invisible next to him. She swallowed hard, trying to push back the tears that threatened to emerge.
When they finally arrived at school, the bustling corridors of Merry Dream High echoed with laughter and chatter. Students milled about in cliques, their dynamics visible like a living organism. Lui walked ahead, confidently waving to friends and engaging in banter. Meanwhile, Rose lagged a few steps behind, her shoulders hunched as she felt the weight of numerous stares.
"Hey, Rose! Why are you so slow today? Come on!" Lui called back to her, flashing an encouraging smile.
Rose forced a smile as she ran to catch up with him. "Sorry! Just thinking about the math test later."
"You'll ace it. You always do!" Lui assured her, ruffling her hair, a habit he'd had since their secondary school days.
But as classes commenced, Rose's sunny demeanor began to evaporate. During lunch, she sat at a table with Lui, as always, but her heart fell as the table next to them erupted with laughter. The girls were whispering and shooting her sidelong glances.
"Look at Rose, she thinks she's so special just because she knows Lui!" One girl sneered, her voice dripping with mockery.
"Yeah. What a loser! She must be desperate," another joined in, their laughter filling the air like poison.
Lui, oblivious to the comment, continued an enthusiastic conversation, occasionally glancing at Rose, who was now pushing her food around her plate.
"Are you okay, Rose?" Lui finally asked, after noticing her discomfort. "You've hardly touched your lunch."
"Yeah, just tired, I guess," she replied, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Let's… let's study later?"
"Of course!" Lui replied, his smile genuine. "I'll help you with everything. You need to catch up with me!"
As the days turned to weeks, the bullying intensified. Rose's heart ached silently as the relentless jeers punctured her spirit. She found solace only when she was with Lui, even though a part of her felt like an imposter. Despite the torture she endured, her feelings for him grew deeper, more complicated. It was unthinkable to her that someone so perfect could share the bond they had.
One quiet night, Rose and Lui had a sleepover at her house. The familiar atmosphere of laughter and late-night conspiracy filled the room, momentarily drowning out Rose's insecurities. They sprawled on her bed, surrounded by an assortment of snacks and old movies, the light dim yet filled with warmth.
"Remember when we made that project together in secondary school?" Lui chuckled, his eyes sparkling with memories. "I think we almost blew up the science lab!"
"Yeah, and Ms. Liu nearly fainted when we spilled that chemical!" Rose joined in with a laugh, but beneath it, her heart raced.
The laughter faded into comfortable silence. Rose's gaze fell on Lui, who was looking at his phone, oblivious to her inner turmoil. Her heart screamed to say something—anything—that could change their dynamic. But fear kept her silent.
"Lui?" she spoke tentatively, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Hmm?"
"Do you… do you think things will always be like this?" She bit her lip, hesitant.
He looked up, meeting her eyes, a serious expression settling on his face. "I hope so, Rose. We're best friends for life, right?"
She nodded, but deep down, she feared that her feelings would change everything. The moment of vulnerability hung in the air, thick with unspoken words.
Just then, ,Lui leaned in closer and gave her a light, affectionate peck on the cheek, catching her off guard catching her off guard. "Good night, Rose."
Rose froze, her heart racing erratically. "G-good night, Lui."
As Lui gave her a tight hug, Rose's brain spun with warmth and confusion. The soft touch of his lips lingered on her skin, igniting a whirlwind of emotions—embarrassment, longing, hope. She buried her face in her pillow, muffling the excited squeals that bubbled within her.