No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Alright, he managed to break my heart a little more thoroughly.

Two hours later, after all the exams were done, I caught up with Susie and Ernest.

Susie grabbed my arm, "Licia, how are you feeling? Anything hurts?"

"No, the doc said I'm as sturdy as an oak tree, not even a scratch," I lied.

My body was adorned with multiple scrapes, but I didn't want her to worry. She was already beating herself up because I nearly drowned trying to save her.

And I knew her guilt would somehow be repaid by Ernest, but he had already given up on me.

"I don't buy it, let me see," Susie wasn't easily fooled and was about to inspect me herself.

I held her hand, "Susie, I'm just really tired, I want to get some sleep. I'm fine, really. You should head home."

“Licia, I'm not leaving. I'll stay with you, and so will my brother," Susie dragged Ernest over.

Ernest came closer, his gaze landing on my face, but this time I turned away.

"Let's give her some space," Ernest suggested to Susie.

Soon, I overheard Susie's rebuke outside, "Bro, what's going on with you and Licia? Did you guys fight? Even if you did, she almost lost her life saving me. How can you be so indifferent?"

Susie's words stabbed me, bringing tears to my eyes.

I shifted slightly, wiping my tears on the pillow.

"Don't meddle in our affairs. And didn't I tell you this morning about the storm warning? You weren't supposed to go to the library. Why don't you ever listen?" Ernest's scolding echoed outside.

Susie didn't reply, guilt silencing her.

"And why was Felicia at the library, huh? Now you're worried about her? If you had listened, none of this would've happened."

Ernest's scolding grew harsher, and Susie remained silent, taking it all.

When he was done, Susie finally asked, "Bro, did you really break up with Licia? Why?"

Ernest stayed silent.

"Did you do something to hurt her? Or do you think now that you're rich and successful, you don't need her anymore?" Susie's questions struck me hard.

She voiced the doubts swirling in my heart.

"It's none of your business," Ernest dodged the question.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

"Bro," Susie's voice rose, "I know et you've changed, but remember what I said? If you dare change, I won't acknowledge you as my brother anymore."

"Are you saying you don't need me now?" Ernest asked coldly.

"If you make things right with Licia, you're my brother," Susie threatened.

Ernest didn't respond, and Susie continued, "Bro, you clearly love her, you care for her because..."

"Susie, sometimes, it's not

necessary for people who like each

other to be together," Ernest's words brought another wave of

So, he was determined to not be with me.

Fine, if we're not to be together, so be it. I'm not dependent on him. I'm not irreplaceable.

Angrily, I pulled the covers over, shutting out their conversation.

The air under the covers felt thin, almost suffocating.

But even then, I refused to emerge, not wanting to hear Ernest's cold and heartless words anymore.

Suddenly, someone pulled at the blanket. Thinking it was Susie, I quickly cleaned my tears.

“Trying to suffocate yourself now, since drowning didn't work?" The voice that spoke wasn't Susie's, and certainly not Ernest's.

The last person I wanted it to be was the one who had come.