After finishing her drink and cake at the cafe, Gracie went to an arcade before going back to her apartment. Luckily she wasn't caught roaming around with her school uniform, which indicates that she had skipped school.

Gracie texted her classmates to ask about today's homework. See, eventhough she skipped school, she's still doing her homework.

Hey Jing Xuan

What homework do we have today?

Heyyy Gracie

Maths homework from textbook page 71

There is a group project for history. You're in my group. Please search about the Tang Dinasty. The deadline is next week so we'll do it at Kai Di's house this weekend. Can you come?

Sure, I'm free

Is that all?

Oh and Chinese, page 92,93,94 and 95 in our workbook.

Okay that's all

Okie thankiu♡

You're welcome♡

Gracie immediately started doing her homework and did a research on the Tang Dinasty. After an hour and a half, she finally finished her homework but there were some questions that she left unanswered because she didn't know the answer.

She plopped down her bed and checked her phone.

Hey... Today reminds me of you

Why??

It's freakin hot

I-

I'm not hot bro

And srsly, a pick up line?

First of all, you're GORGEOUS

Second, why not a pick up line? ;)

I'M BLUSHING HOW TF DID U DO THAT?!?

+2 marks

And bro, are you a newbie in flirting or what?

Thanks for the points... And yeah

I'm a newbie. I've never had a girlfriend nor flirt with girls

Just you

You've gotta be kidding me

But awww I feel special♥

;)

Honestly I didn't know what to do and just searched for a pick up line

You're doing great lover boy :)

Thxx bby girl😘

Not that emoji please

Don't

A lot of rules :/

Then what do I really need to do to have you?

Umm

Get my parents and bestfriend's permission

😂😂

...

Your Nongnong beated me up…

WHAT TF

NONGNONG DID THAT TO U?!?!?!

But that isn't like Nongnong at all...

BUT ARE YOU OKAY?!

Yeah... He came when I got off my car in front of school. He suddenly pulled me into an alley and beated me up

I'm fine, it's nothing big, no bones broken

You could say that he needs more skills and strength🙃😂

NO YOU ARE NOT FINE! JUST LOOK AT YOUR FACE!!!

WHAT DID HE EVEN DO TO YOUR HANDSOME FACE

I'm still handsome don't worry😏

I can't believe Nongnong did that...

KDHKAJKAKS imma go talk to him

Nooooo you don't have too

I'm fine, really :)

What did u tell ur parents tho?

They're used to me getting into fights😅

Lucky you

Okay bye imma just lash at the boy

Ok bye...

Gracie immediately dialed Linong's number. After a few rings, he picked up.

"Hey Gracie, what's up?", Linong said.

"What's up? WHAT'S UP?! CHEN LINONG YOU ACT SO INNOCENT I'M IMPRESSED", she yelled at the boy through her phone.

She heard the boy sigh.

"He told you?"

"Yes! And I can say that I'm very disappointed in you Chen Linong", she said trying suppress her anger.

Linong could tell she was really angry and disappointed, judging from what she called him. She never uses his real name, Linong, unless she was truly crossed at him. And she even used his full name.

"I didn't want to lose you, okay! Especially to a guy, who you never even knew!!", he shouted back at her.

"Honestly Gracie, I'm not okay. I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR LIKE FUCKING 10 YEARS!! And you didn't even notice me, BUT LIKED ANOTHER GUY! Everyone knows that I like you, it's OBVIOUS!! ARE YOU JUST PLAYING DUMB OR WHAT?!?!", Linong ranted at her.

Gracie suddenly felt speechless when she heard Linong curse. She had NEVER heard him curse in all these years. And she was shocked by that one fact.

"W-what? 10 years…?", Gracie thought.

Suddenly the both of them fell silent. Linong was patiently waiting for her to respond, but the girl kept quiet.

"Say something...", he sighed, before speaking up.

"Okay, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for beating Chengcheng and for being a selfish brat", Linong apologized.

"I just couldn't stand it... It hurts so much... But seeing you protecting the guy... made me realize"

There was a pause before Linong continued.

"Go to Chengcheng", he finally said.

Gracie on the other end had tears rolling down her cheeks. She felt miserable. She was the cause of this mess.

"I'm sorry Nongnong...", she choked out between her sobs.

"Don't say that. If I hadn't beaten up Chengcheng this wouldn't happen. Ignore my feelings, Gracie. I don't deserve you. At least you can be happy. And if you're happy, I'm happy"

Her tears multipled as she heard him. She couldn't help but just feel sorry. She just never looked at him in a romantic way. He's just a friend.

"I hope you find someone better Nongnong... Goodbye", Gracie said and ended the call.

"Why am I even protecting Chengcheng though? Do I like him...?", the girl asked herself.

Then she thought about Linong.

"I made him sad again. I don't desereve him. He deserves someone better..."

"But my feelings... I never felt that way towards him. But why a stranger who just came into my life, made me feel this feeling? It's similar to what I felt for Wenjun... But this is much more..."

After tired of thinking and monologuing, Gracie fell asleep immediately, with her tear stained face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I don't want to give up, but I'm really tired..."