Aaron, my first and last love

Aryan's POV

"Aryan…"

Hearing Ivan's [One of my friend] unusually sweet tone, I knew right away—this guy wanted something from me.

I put my pen down and looked at him. "Yes?"

He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "There's a favor I'd like to ask…"

I raised an eyebrow. "Mhmm?"

"There's a girl I like..." He paused, checking my reaction before continuing. "She's in your brother's class. Can you find out her name and what she likes? Please..."

I sighed internally. Here we go again.

Before I could respond, Marco, the opportunist, cut in.

"Ivan, nothing in this world comes for free." He smirked. "What do you have to offer first? Then, I will—" He paused as I shot him a glare. "I mean... we will help you find out everything you need. Right, Aryan?"

"Whatever you guys want, I will buy it for you." Ivan offered.

Marco and I exchanged glances, and an evil grin spread across our faces.

"Deal. Now, tell us how she looks."

That's when I first heard about the new transfer student with brown eyes and short hair. A small doubt crept into my mind. 'Could it be Kiara?'

However, who would have thought that it turns out to be true.

On the way home, I casually asked Eron, "Are you on good terms with that girl?"

"Yeah."

"Are you friends?"

"She's my classmate, so I guess you could say that," he replied flatly. What kind of answer is that? He didn't seem shy or excited at all. Wasn't there supposed to be a spark between them, like in the novel?

"Then, be her friend," I suggested.

Eron stopped walking and narrowed his eyes at me. "Did someone bribe you again?"

Damn. How did he figure that out so fast? "And you take that bribe, right?

Brother Aryan, do you know how awkward it is to be friendly with someone I barely know? First Mia, then Rithma, and now Kiara... Why can't you have normal friends?"

I sighed. "Huh! In this age, if you don't have feelings for the opposite sex, then that be a problem."

Eron raised a brow. "Then why are you single? Are you not normal?"

I choked on my own words. "Who said I'm single?"

Eron's eyes widened. "You have someone?!"

I mentally cursed myself. What the hell am I saying?

"I mean… I had someone," I quickly corrected.

Eron narrowed his eyes. "Who?"

For some reason, I felt like talking about my past. "A stupid, innocent guy. Before I could hear his answer for my confession, he left the country like a coward." As I can't tell the whole truth, I end up mixing it with lie.

Thinking back, the reason I fell in love with Eron's character in the first place was because he reminded me of that person. My heart ached at the thought, and I quickened my pace to hide my expression.

"Who's that bastard? How could he hurt you? Why didn't you tell me about him before?" Eron fumed with anger.

I smiled faintly. "He was my childhood crush... before you entered my life. He left with his parents. So, there wasn't much to say." I paused and turned to him. "Wait, you don't mind the fact that I like men?" 

"Why would that matter? Aryan is just Aryan. There's nothing to judge." His words... they hit me harder than I expected. For some reason, I felt like a proud parent who raised such an understanding child.

"About Kiara..."

"I'll try to find out what she likes and dislikes," Eron said with a sigh. "But this will be the last time. No more weird requests."

"Okay," I replied instantly.

As we continued walking, I couldn't help but smile.

I truly hope that this time... you'll have a happy ending with the one you love.

The Night

Maybe... it's because I brought up that stupid guy, but his memories keep flooding my mind.

My first and last love... Aaron.

I must be out of my mind to still hold onto him after all these years.

Looking back, I was truly a crazy guy.

How many times he rejected me and I was the one who shamelessly fall for that guy again and again.

How could I not?

Seeing such innocent handsome face, it hard to think straight. And those green eyes... There was something magical about them, something that pulled me in, leaving me utterly helpless.

Maybe that's why...

When I first read about Eron, the villain of "Devil's Heart", I felt an instant connection.

His appearance, personality, and silent pain reminded me of Aaron.

I guess...

When I couldn't change my own ending, I placed my hope in Eron—wishing that at least he could find happiness.

But even that...

I clenched my fists.

"Not this time. It will be different.

I'll make sure Eron gets his perfect ending... with the one he loves."