Chapter 6: Starry Nights and Shy Boys

When I got there, I realized—my dear "husband" was there too.

Of course. Fate loves a joke.

"So he’s the roommate you mentioned?"

Once confirmed, I tried to match the word "aloof" with his blushing face—

Nope. Not aloof. Just pure-hearted.

Suddenly, I realized my attention had shifted—from my failed online romance to the "pure-hearted boy" in front of me.

Interesting.

I walked over and patted his shoulder: "Morning, hus—"

He jumped and covered my mouth.

Before I could even say it, he was blushing.

"Don’t call me that... Brooke, we’re just acquaintances."

He sounded cold, but his expression was all soft edges and gentle eyes.

"You’re my lifesaver, that’s more than just a friend." Satisfied with teasing him, I went back to Lauren. "So in your mind we’re just friends? My heart’s broken."

Actually, I was fine—but I bet he couldn’t tell I was joking.

"That was fast," Lauren whispered. "I’ve never seen him talk this much to a girl."

"If it weren’t for you, I’d think he was a robot."

Her comment was straight out of a billionaire romance: "You’re the first girl our golden boy has brought home."

Didn’t stop me from enjoying it, though.

"Really?" I winked. "Maybe my sweet romance is about to start."

The group outing was, as always, a hike.

I never understood why people love hiking so much—it’s exhausting, but they keep doing it, full of hope.

But since everyone else was into it, I didn’t care.

After all, I wasn’t here for the scenery.

"Hus—" Seeing his warning look, I switched gears. "Ryan, do you have any water? I’m out."

"No."

He looked at me like I was dumb: "Ten more minutes to the halfway point. There’ll be vendors there."

Conversation killer.

I shut up, giving up on starting any more small talk.

But then Ryan kept glancing back at me. I ignored him, glaring back every time.

"What’s with you two?" Lauren teased. "You’re puffed up like a pufferfish."

"Don’t be mad, little pufferfish. I’ve got water." Lauren’s other bestie—my childhood friend, Maddie—handed me a bottle.

"Thanks, lifesaver." I grinned, ignoring Ryan’s looks.

Pure-hearted boys are so easy to tease.

At the halfway point, everyone stopped to set up tents for the night.

I hadn’t brought a tent, so I planned to crash with Maddie—Lauren and her boyfriend would be together, so us single folks had to stick together.

After pitching tents, some people suggested a bonfire.

So dramatic.

I watched the sparks fly and listened as they played Truth or Dare.

Aside from Lauren, Maddie, and maybe Ryan, I didn’t know most people, so I didn’t bother joining in.

Didn’t expect to get dragged in anyway.

A guy I didn’t even know got a dare to "invite any girl here to play games together after school," and came straight to me, eyes shining:

"Hey, wanna play games together back at school?"

Just hearing that freshman-senior stuff gave me PTSD, but I agreed, since he needed someone to say yes to complete the dare.

Not like anyone would remember this after today.

"Babe, just say yes, but don’t actually hang out with him!"

Lauren kept texting me late into the night:

"He used to be close with Evan and the others, but they found out he bragged about cheating, so they drifted apart... No idea who brought him today."

"Don’t worry, I know."

Even without the "jerk" warning, I wasn’t interested in dealing with another guy.

—Why not just focus on teasing the pure-hearted boy?

After a few more messages, she went to sleep. I looked at Maddie, fast asleep, and decided to take a walk.

Didn’t expect a surprise.

Ryan looked genuinely surprised to see me, raising his eyebrows, but said nothing.

I wandered over and sat next to him: "It’s late—stargazing?"

"Thinking."

When he’s not blushing, he’s always cold.

I wisely didn’t pry, just stretched and watched the stars.

The sky was especially bright tonight.

My tangled thoughts slowly unraveled—a failed online romance, and a budding crush, each finding their place.

Let the past stay in the past.

The cute guy in front of me... that’s what matters.

"The stars are so pretty tonight. Would be a waste to just mope." I tilted my head at Ryan. "If you’re not going to stargaze or chat, you’re wasting a good night."

He hesitated, then finally started a conversation:

"Do you really like playing games?"

?

What kind of question is that?

What 21st-century youth doesn’t love gaming!

"I guess..."

For the first time in days, I felt that awkwardness I’d had with Sam.

"Uh... is there something wrong with liking games...?"

Was he about to say, "Games are bad for young people’s development"?

Thankfully, he just thought for a moment and nodded.

Then, silence.

After a while, maybe realizing it was too awkward, he asked if I was tired and wanted to go back to the tent.

I nodded—after all, I’d sorted out everything I needed to tonight—so we both headed back in tacit agreement.

The night breeze and moonlight felt like something was quietly changing.

"Goodnight." I waved at him outside my tent. "Sweet dreams."

"Goodnight."

I heard him say.

"No way, you actually like Ryan?!"

I clamped a hand over Lauren’s mouth: "Keep your voice down! It’s a secret—I think I actually have a shot."

"Mmph..." She struggled, finally prying my hand off. "I was just joking before—can’t believe you really fell for him!"

"Trying to win him over is like playing an otome game with an NPC... well, he does treat you differently."

She meant to talk me out of it, but ended up laughing herself: "Come to think of it, you might really have a chance. If you two make it, I want to be your maid of honor."

"You’re getting ahead of yourself."

I couldn’t help but imagine a wedding scene, feeling my face heat up so much I could fry an egg.

After that camping trip, Ryan wasn’t so cold anymore. When we ran into each other on campus, he’d nod hello. I took that as progress.