Love Rivals: The Day I Saw Your Tears

39. A Gift, When Used, Reveals the True Gift

Ryan took a spoonful of ice cream and shrugged, looking at me with a knowing smile. "If you’d sent the message, you would've been the first to wish me and Vicky would be second."

I blinked, trying to hide the sudden wave of emotions his words stirred. I turned to busy myself with wiping down the counter, avoiding his gaze.
He offered me a spoonful of ice cream, but I shook my head, too flustered to even think about eating. He said, "But honestly, I didn’t expect you to remember my birthday at all. You haven’t wished me in seven years."

I paused, feeling a strange weight in my chest. Trying to brush it off, I pretended not to hear him, focusing on wiping the counter instead.

He took another bite of the ice cream and leaned in slightly, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Just so you know,” he said, “don’t think of bringing me a stethoscope or an apron as a gift like you suggested for dad, though I’m a doctor."

I kept busy with the coffee machine, not looking up. “I’d rather give you something that you can’t physically have but will linger in your mind forever.”

He grinned, his gaze steady as he looked at me. “Oh, so it must be you. I can’t have you, but I can’t stop thinking about you.”

My heart skipped a beat, racing at his words. I turned to face him, trying to keep my composure despite the fluttering sensation in my chest. I couldn’t let myself fall for this again.

“Look,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant, “would you mind letting me finish my work? If you don’t leave in a minute, I’m going to enlist you for dishwashing duty.”

Ryan laughed, still holding the ice cream with a casual ease, but he seemed to understand the hint. “Alright, alright,” he said with a mock pout.

As he walked out of the kitchen, I exhaled deeply, trying to steady my racing heart.

I needed to avoid him as much as possible. He was becoming a distraction, and I couldn’t afford to let him derail my focus again. This time, I was not let anything -- or anyone -- sideline my goals.

As I was sprawled out on the couch in the evening, my phone buzzed with a message from Vicky: "Why aren't you here yet?"

I typed back quickly, "Sorry, I can't make it today. I've got a ton of work to do."

A moment later, my phone rang.

"Hey, what's the matter with you?" Vicky said, sounding a bit agitated.

I muted the TV and answered, "I told you, I’m swamped with work. The project deadline is tomorrow, and I need to finish it tonight. Just let Ryan know I'm really sorry I can't be there."

December 6, 2016 *************************

At Ryan’s birthday party.....

After the cake cutting, everyone began presenting their gifts to him. I watched as enormous, expensive-looking boxes piled up -- each one grander than the last. Meanwhile, I clutched a tiny box, neatly wrapped in glittering paper, that could easily fit in the palm of a hand. I’d asked my mom for money, and she'd given me just enough to cover something small. It felt unfair, but that’s how it was in a middle-class household. We had to ask for money only when needed, and even then, we’d get just enough with a solid reason.

As the line of extravagant gifts grew longer, I couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed. I hid the small box from my classmates, not wanting to draw attention to its size. When I finally had the chance, I approached Ryan quietly, wished him a happy birthday, and slipped my gift at the end of the mountain of presents.

I was used to being overlooked, so part of me was relieved, hoping my small gift would go unnoticed amidst the others. As Ryan began unwrapping his presents, my nerves were calm. But then, to my horror, I saw him pick up mine -- the tiny box I’d hidden at the end of the pile.

My heart started racing as he unwrapped it. I wished I could just disappear. He held up the little keychain -- a jar full of wishes -- for everyone to see. And then it happened. Laughter erupted all around.

"Who gives a keychain as a gift these days?" someone scoffed. My cheeks burned with embarrassment, but I stayed silent, grateful that nobody knew it was from me. I hadn't put my name on it. I kept my head down, trying to blend into the background, wishing the moment would pass quickly.

The next day, as I walked past the parking lot, I spotted Ryan’s cycle -- and hanging from the handlebar was the keychain I’d given him. My heart skipped a beat. Vicky noticed it too and asked, "Hey, isn't that the same keychain you got as a gift last night?"

Ryan nodded with a smile. "Yeah, that's the one. Pretty, isn’t it?"

Vicky raised an eyebrow. "It is. But you liked this one out of all the gifts?"

Ryan shrugged casually. "It's the only one I found useful."

Out of all the grand, expensive gifts, he chose mine. It was enough to make me smile, even if no one else knew.

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