🌹OBSESSED 🌹 (Parfume the series)

❄️16: Two people in pain❄️

What did she mean by that? 'Am I really loving you?' It felt like she was mumbling to herself, yet it also sounded like she was questioning her own feelings.

I was still in shock, realizing she had shielded me from the speeding car out of fear it would hit me. Then she slowly backed away, seemingly startled by her actions, and rushed inside the house, avoiding even Aff, who had come with her.

Now, the situation felt more surreal than ever. I ended up getting into Aff's car, planning to catch a ride to the main road to grab a taxi home. But instead, Aff drove us somewhere unknown. We eventually stopped at the nearest gas station, bought a couple of beers, and sat down on the benches outside the minimart.

"Looks like we're both the ones who got dumped."

Aff held out her beer can for a toast. I wasn't much of a drinker, but today was an exception. Everything had become too overwhelming, so I raised my can and clinked it against hers.

"Both of us."

We each took a swig, wiped our mouths with the back of our hands, and stared at the bright but meaningless lights of the gas station, while the events of earlier kept replaying in my mind.

"Honestly, she should've been mad at you, you know. You barged in at the worst possible time, like a third wheel ruining the moment."

Aff joked, and I laughed along with her.

"Sorry for interrupting your fun."

"But maybe it was for the best. If it had gone further, and I'd fallen for her for real, it would've hurt even more. Now that I've seen what kind of person she is, it's a little easier to accept."

"You liked her that much? You'd only just started talking to her, right? As far as I know, it's only been a few days."

I asked, genuinely curious. Aff nodded and took another small sip of her beer.

"Does it matter how long it's been? How many times did you meet Ann before you fell for her?"

I had fallen for her at first sight. I didn't answer because I found it too embarrassing. In hindsight, I realized I was even crueler than Aff.

"You're right. It's not about time," I finally replied. Aff let out a small, almost sarcastic laugh.

"Compared to her, the two of us are like naïve little kids. We met her a few times, and here we are, head over heels, while she didn't choose either of us. She walked away without a second glance, without calling for anyone."

"...."

"But it seems like she loves you."

Aff suddenly said, making me glance at her before quickly pretending I wasn't affected.

"What makes you think that?"

"Well, she literally threw herself in front of a car to protect you, like something straight out of a drama. I mean, you see it in slow-motion scenes all the time, but today it actually happened."

"If it were you, she'd probably have done the same thing."

"We both heard what she said. Don't downplay it. She loves you, but she can't come to terms with it. That's why she ran back inside."

Aff shrugged and sighed.

"I lost this round."

"We both lost. The real winner is the one who ran inside and left us standing out here."

We looked at each other and laughed. Even though we were both hurting, we could still smile because we were comforting each other.

"So, what are you going to do now? She seemed really shocked when she realized she loved you."