Pharita didn't sleep that night.
Joseph's words echoed in her head.
"Because I like you."
Then why was he pulling away?
Why did he leave before she could say anything?
She wanted to run after him, to ask him why.
But something stopped her.
What if he regretted saying it?
What if he didn't really mean it?
What if… she ended up hurt?
She had to be sure.
She had to know before she took another step.
Joseph paced in his room, frustration boiling inside him.
Why did he say it?
Why did he let it slip?
Now everything was complicated.
He had never planned to confess.
Not yet.
Not when he didn't even know if he could handle it.
Because if he let himself care too much, he knew what would happen.
People always left.
Feelings always faded.
It was better to keep his distance.
Even if it hurt.
Felix leaned against the wall, watching Joseph's door.
So, this was how his little brother handled love?
Pathetic.
Felix smirked. "Tch. Avoiding your own feelings, huh?"
He had seen it coming.
Joseph liked Pharita—a lot.
And Pharita liked him back.
But Joseph was too much of a coward to do anything about it.
Felix rolled his eyes.
He had been patient enough.
It was time to push things forward.
The next day, Pharita received a text from Felix.
Felix: Meet me at the rooftop after school. It's important.
She hesitated.
Felix wasn't the type to text her randomly.
But curiosity got the best of her.
She had a feeling this was about Joseph.
And she needed answers.
So, she went.
When Pharita arrived, Felix was already there, looking out over the city.
He didn't turn when he spoke.
"You like Joseph, don't you?"
Pharita's heart skipped. "W-What?"
Felix chuckled. "Don't act surprised. It's obvious."
Pharita looked away.
Felix sighed. "Let me guess. He confessed, then ran away like a coward?"
Pharita bit her lip.
She didn't have to answer.
Felix already knew.
"Listen," Felix said, turning to her. "If you wait for Joseph to figure things out, you'll be waiting forever. He's too scared to admit what he really wants."
Pharita frowned. "Then what do I do?"
Felix smirked. "Make him face it. Give him no choice but to confront his feelings."
Pharita hesitated.
Could she really do that?
Could she really be that bold?
Felix saw her doubt and scoffed.
"You're Pharita. You don't back down. So stop waiting and go after what you want."
Pharita took a deep breath.
Felix was right.
She had been too passive.
It was time to change that.
It was time to make Joseph see.
And this time, she wouldn't let him run.