LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH

Chapter 9: Wiyan Disappointed

The next day, as they walk together after class, Kevin's voice is alive with energy, words tumbling out in a rush as he lays out his plans for the night's stream. "I'm thinking we could start with that new shooter game, maybe switch to something more chill after. Sound good?"

 His eyes flick between Alex and Wiyan, a hint of challenge in his gaze. He knows his friends are different in personality, and somehow, that makes him even more eager to pull them together.

Wiyan's heart races a bit at the thought of the group stream. This is my chance to hang out with them outside of school. He can't keep the excitement out of his voice. "Hey, can we join too?" His words burst out, almost like a kid begging to stay up late or asking for an extra scoop of ice cream.

 He catches himself, realizing he might sound too eager, but the hope in his voice is real. It would be nice to bond like this, he thinks, glancing between Kevin and Alex, wishing they could all just let loose and have fun together.

Kevin, always the easygoing one, grins wide. "Sure, man. The more, the merrier! It'll be a blast." He nudges Alex, expecting him to join the excitement. C'mon, Alex, he thinks. It wouldn't hurt to have some fun for once. He knows Alex can be a bit reserved, but Kevin genuinely wants him to be a part of the group's laughter and shared moments.

Alex, though, only offers a tight-lipped smile. Group streams? That's more Kevin's scene, he thinks, feeling the tug of his own responsibilities nipping at his thoughts. He clears his throat. "I'll be busy tonight," he says, his tone steady but with a hint of distance. "I need to do some trading work. Kevin, you can handle the stream with Wiyan."

He catches the flash of disappointment in Wiyan's eyes, a subtle shift that's quickly masked by a forced smile. I should probably say something... reassure him maybe, Alex considers, but the words feel tangled in his throat. Wiyan seems so... invested, and Alex doesn't know how to handle that kind of energy.

Wiyan feels his smile falter as he digests Alex's reply. Why does it always feel like he's got a wall up? he wonders, pushing down a pang of disappointment. He tries to brush it off, adopting a lighter tone. "Oh, that's fine," he says, doing his best to sound upbeat. "I actually have my part-time job tonight anyway." Inside, though, he feels a flicker of frustration. Does he ever want to spend time with us?

Alex catches a slight change in Wiyan's expression, a faint shadow that lingers for only a second. Why does he look like that? A sense of unease twists in Alex's gut, but he shakes it off, glancing at his watch. "Alright, then," he says, nodding to Kevin. "I need to go. See you tomorrow." He turns, not waiting for a response, needing to escape the hint of awkwardness building between them.

Kevin, noticing the tension, tries to lift the mood, nudging Wiyan with a grin. "Hey, don't worry about it. We'll have a great time tonight, just us. Alex just has other stuff to do, that's all."

Wiyan forces a small smile, grateful for Kevin's attempt to cheer him up. "Yeah, sure," he says, but the enthusiasm has drained from his voice. As he heads in the opposite direction, he can't shake the sting of Alex's absence, replaying their interaction in his head. Maybe I'm overthinking it, he tells himself, but the feeling lingers—a mixture of hurt and longing he doesn't quite understand.

Inside, Wiyan's heart sinks. Why does he always have something else to do? Am I just not worth the time? He'd built up hope, picturing the three of them playing and laughing together tonight, but Alex's casual dismissal feels like a sting. Maybe I'm just not that important to him. He wrestles with these thoughts as he follows Kevin and Alex, trying to shake the sadness settling in his chest.

 He tries to ignore the gnawing feeling that he's been brushed aside, but it lingers like a dull ache. He shoves his hands into his pockets, looking at the ground, his thoughts swirling. Why am I even feeling like this? It's just one night... But deep down, he knows it's not just about tonight. He can't shake the sense that he's always the one left out, always the one hoping for just a little more attention.

Kevin notices Wiyan's downcast expression and steps closer, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, don't let it get to you," he says, his tone warm. "Alex has his own stuff going on. We'll still have a great time, just you and me, yeah?"

Wiyan glances up, trying to muster a genuine smile. "Yeah, sure," he says softly, but there's a tremor of disappointment in his voice he can't quite hide. Maybe it's better like this. I shouldn't need people to make time for me. But the hurt is still there, gnawing away at him.

As they finally part ways, Wiyan walks in the opposite direction, his mind replaying Alex's dismissive response. He sighs, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets. He probably doesn't even realize what it meant to me, Wiyan thinks bitterly. He reminds himself that he's used to this, to people coming and going, not sticking around long enough to understand him or his needs. 

The thought makes his chest feel heavy, but he shakes his head, trying to force the sadness away as he heads toward his part-time job. Still, Alex's indifferent face lingers in his mind, a reminder of the painful distance that seems to grow between them with each passing day.