today was new year's eve and you were at the festival with your friends. the feeling of the cold air brushed your face as you looked up at the night sky. it was crowded and loud. yet for some reason, you felt empty. maybe it was because of the cold temperature, or maybe it was because he wasn't there anymore. gusion. it's already been a few months since you've broken up but for you, it still felt like you were beside him yesterday.
was everything he said were a lie? how could he let you go so easily? you missed him already. you missed him whispering sweet nothings in your ears. you missed his loving hugs. you missed his smile. you missed everything about him.
your thoughts were quickly interrupted when you heard your name. "mari, what's with the long face?" it was your friend, lesley.
"i was just thinking about something, sorry." you smiled softly.
"something? you mean gusion? haven't we told you multiple times to stop thinking about him? he was toxic." your other friend, beatrix replied as she took a bite of her candy apple.
"haha, i wasn't thinking about him. i don't think about him anymore, okay?" lies. you thought about him everyday.
"i'll beat him up if i see him agai-" lesley was about to respond when all of a sudden she was interrupted by the fireworks.
it was pretty. much more pretty than you could've imagined.
"happy new year!" you 3 said in unison.
new year, new people to meet. it's time to move on from gusion.
(time skip to later on the same year, 1st year of college)
"finally, i'm done packing my things. thanks for helping me layla." you said as you wiped off your sweat on your forehead.
"no problem, we're roommates from now on anyways!" an ecstatic smile appeared on her face. in all honesty, you were glad to have her as your roommate. you two weren't really close when you were both in senior highschool but you've realized she was fun to be around with.
as for lesley and beatrix, they were in different departments. lesley was in nursing while beatrix was studying law. of course, you chose architecture.
"dibs on the top bunk, by the way." you chuckled beneath your breath.
"HEY! i wanted the top bunk!! that's not fair." layla pouted as she sat down on her bottom bunk bed.
"haha. too late," you gave her a mischievous grin. "oh, i didn't notice it's already 6pm. let's have dinner together at the cafeteria."
"finally!! i'm so hungry i could eat a horse T_T" she stood up from the bed as she stretched her arms.
on the way to the cafeteria, a familiar person caught your eye. glancing at him once or twice, you finally pinpointed who it was. it was aamon. or rather, gusion's brother. you quivered at the thought of him. you promised yourself you wouldn't think about him anymore anyways.
you continued walking, brushing off the sight you've seen. your gaze suddenly darted at layla who suddenly spoke. "why is the cafeteria so far?! im craving for fried chicken with a salad on the side so badly."
with a small grin, you muttered, "be patient, we're almost there." she rolled her eyes as a response that made you slightly chuckle from the sass she owned.
upon arriving the cafeteria, you could smell the delicious food they were selling which made your stomach rumble. a while ago you thought you weren't that hungry but once you smelled the food, you were craving for so many things.
your attention then returned to layla when she spoke, "let's fall in line now before the line gets any longer!!" she quickly grabbed your hand and dragged you to the line with her.
after waiting for a few minutes which felt like an eternity to you, it was finally your turn to get dinner. everything to you seemed so delicious to the point you couldn't even decide.
you realized you were taking too long to choose when the person behind you tapped your shoulder. "hello? are you alright?" a feeling of embarrassment coursed through you when you realized your own actions.
"i'm quite alright!! i'm sorry for the inconvenience." you awkwardly giggled from the embarrassment. quickly returning your gaze at the cafeteria lady, you queried "may i get the set b please?" afterwards, you hurriedly left to sit next to layla. you really didn't want to face the person behind you after that humiliating experience.
a look of surprise appeared on your face once you saw layla's plate. "what's with all of this?!"
"what?? i'm very hungry." her plate was full of all different kinds of food. you could tell she was hungry. glancing at her plate then at her, you declared "you better finish that." her response was a mischievous smile which made you mentally face palm.
your moment of peace was then interrupted when someone spoke to you.
"is this seat taken?" you would be lying if you didn't say he wasn't your type. i mean, he looked cute.
a tinge of excitement rushed to your face as he sat next to you. you even almost forgot that layla was infront of you. "ehem, and who might you be?" she said as she took a bite on her chicken.
"oh, sorry! my name's zilong." your excitement suddenly washed away when you finally remembered who this was. it was the person behind you at the line. swiftly, you averted your gaze at your food, not wanting to look at him for any more longer.
when you were about to stand up to go to the bathroom, zilong muttered out, "do you feel sick?"
"..oh, me?" you gently smiled; attempting to hide your awkwardness.
in response, he gave you a warm smile. "of course, you." you could tell he was good with his words.
"no, i'm really fine." you stated. "don't worry about me."
"then, is it alright if i ask for your name?" confused, you glanced at layla in an attempt to make her help you out. however, she was too busy eating to notice.
accepting your defeat, you uttered, "just call me mari."
