The player and the shy girl (english version)

Unexpected Connections

As soon as we arrive at my house, he looks at me and seems about to say something, but I get out of the car first. He follows me, catching up before we go inside.

"You're right, I may not know what it's like, but I'm right about the smoking. You can't ruin your health without caring about it. Life can hit you hard one moment and then make you grateful the next. You never know what could happen because of what you put in your mouth. Your parents may not be here, but they're watching over you from above. They wouldn't want to see this!"

He says, turning to look at me. I'm crying uncontrollably.

He wipes my tears with his thumb, and I break down even more, falling to my knees.

"I really wish I could be with them. I'd rather they were here and I was where they are now," I say, my heart breaking once again over this topic.

"No, no! I don't want to hear you say that ever again!" he exclaims, pulling me into his embrace. He holds me tightly to help me calm down.

He lifts me up and looks at me. "You need to calm down," he says, and I meet his gaze.

"You look worse when you cry," he tells me, and I can't help but laugh, making him smile in return.

He wipes my tears and looks closely at me. "Are you okay now?"

I nod, and he gazes at me. I hug him unexpectedly. He looks at me in surprise, then hugs me back.

"Thank you, for now and for before," I say, looking at him.

He smiles and gestures for us to move inside. I open the door and head to my room to grab my bag.

When I return to the living room, I see Lucas looking at my framed pictures.

"I'm ready," I tell him, and he turns to look at me.

He sets down the frame he was holding and smiles awkwardly. "You look just like your mother."

I smile back, "I know, many people have told us that."

I gaze at the frame absentmindedly, memories flooding my mind—people saying we resembled my mom.

"Emma," Lucas's voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I look at him.

"Stop torturing yourself," he says, and I glance down at the floor.

"Emma, look at me!" He lifts my chin with his hand.

I meet his eyes, and once again, they are ready to spill over with tears.

"Don't," he says, his gaze steady.

"I can't," I reply quietly, a tear rolling down my cheek.

He looks at me, letting out a breath. "Don't do this! You're just hurting yourself. I know you're strong!"

"Maybe I'm not," I respond, and he looks at me seriously.

He pulls me closer. "You are, and I know it. I've seen it!"

I look at him innocently, and he gazes back. He glances at my lips and then back into my eyes, and soon I find myself doing the same.

He leans in, our lips almost touching when suddenly his phone rings, startling me and making me pull away.

He glances at his phone, turns it off, and looks at me, anxious.

"Shall we go?" he asks.

I nod, and we step outside. I'm not sure what was about to happen, but I think I'm relieved his phone rang. I don't know why.

He gets into the car, and I look at it, recalling the time he cornered me and called me weak. I proved him wrong, and now he almost kissed me again. I hope there won't be a third time.

I get in too, and he looks at me. "Buckle up," he says, and I fasten my seatbelt.

He starts the car, and we head toward the gym. When we arrive, Lucas reaches the door and turns to me.

"What?" I ask, looking back at him.

"It's closed today," he says, showing me a sign.

Really? Now they choose to do repairs?

"That's fine," I reply, and he looks at me.

"Should I take you home?" he asks, and I shrug.

"Actually, I have something better in mind. Do you trust me?" he says, looking at me curiously.

"I wouldn't say that," I reply, meeting his serious gaze.

"Okay, I thought you'd like it, but if you don't trust me, I'll take you home."

"Are you trying to change my mind?" I ask, smiling at him.

"I'm not good at that," he admits, looking at me.

"Try to be," I wink at him and laugh.

"So does this mean I've changed your mind?" he asks, grinning.