Chapter 1: The Confession

Chapter 1: The Confession

My name is Rick. I'm 19, a college student, and today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life.

Do you know why?

Well, because today, I finally got to go on my first date with Miki—my best friend. But here's the thing: I've had a secret crush on her for years.

"He-he-he… I'm gonna enjoy today," I thought to myself, grinning like an idiot as I got ready. Today was the day I'd finally tell her how I felt. No more hiding, no more overthinking. I was going to confess.

But now, looking back, I wonder if that day was the beginning of everything that went wrong.

We met at our usual spot—a small café near campus. Miki was already there when I arrived, her hair tied back in a loose ponytail, her smile as bright as ever. She waved at me, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

"Hey, Rick! Over here!" she called out.

I walked over, my heart pounding. "Hey, Miki. You look… great," I said, stumbling over my words.

She laughed, and the sound made my stomach do a backflip. "Thanks! You don't look so bad yourself."

We ordered our drinks and sat down, chatting about classes, exams, and the usual college stuff. But the whole time, my mind was racing. *This is it, Rick. Just say it. Tell her how you feel.*

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Miki leaned forward, her expression serious.

"Hey, Rick… I need to tell you something," she said, her voice soft.

My heart skipped a beat. *Is she going to confess first?* I thought, panicking. *No, no, no—I need to say it first. I'm the guy. I should be the one to confess.*

"Ah! Yes?" I blurted out, my voice cracking.

Miki tilted her head, looking at me curiously. "What's with you? You've been acting weird all day."

"I… I also want to tell you something," I stammered, my face burning.

She raised an eyebrow. "Okay, go ahead."

I took a deep breath, my hands trembling under the table. "Miki, I… I like you. I've liked you for a long time."

There. I said it.

I bowed my head, unable to meet her eyes. My heart was pounding so loudly I was sure she could hear it.

For a moment, there was silence. Then Miki laughed—a short, awkward laugh that made my stomach drop.

"Rick, what are you talking about? We're friends," she said, her voice louder than usual.

I looked up, my face burning with embarrassment. People at nearby tables were staring at us, and I wanted to disappear.

"But… I've loved you since the first time we met," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Miki's expression softened, but there was no warmth in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Rick. You're only my friend. I've never seen you as anything more than that. And… I like someone else."

My heart shattered into a million pieces. "Who… who do you like?" I asked, my voice trembling.

She hesitated, then said, "Rose."

I stared at her, my mind going blank. "Rose? But… she's a girl."

Miki shrugged, her cheeks turning pink. "So what? She's cute, kind, and has a good heart. I like her."

I don't remember much after that. I laughed—a crazy, hysterical laugh that made people stare even more. Tears streamed down my face as I stood up, my chair scraping loudly against the floor.

"Good… good for you," I said, my voice shaking. "Enjoy your life."

And then I walked out, leaving Miki sitting there, her face a mix of confusion and guilt.

I spent the rest of the day in my room, alternating between crying and laughing like a madman. My mind was a mess, replaying the conversation over and over.

*How could I be so stupid?* I thought, burying my face in my pillow. *I ruined everything. She'll never look at me the same way again.*

At some point, I thought about giving up—about just ending it all. But then I remembered my parents, how hard they'd worked to send me to college, how much they believed in me.

"No," I said out loud, wiping my tears. "I can't give up. I'll study hard, get a good job, and make them proud. That's what matters now."

I made a promise to myself that night: I'd focus on my studies, hit the gym, and become the best version of myself. Miki might not love me, but I could still make something of my life.

The next morning, I woke up early, my eyes swollen from crying. I grabbed my books and headed to the library, determined to start fresh.

But as I sat there, trying to focus on my notes, my mind kept drifting back to Miki. Her smile, her laugh, the way she'd looked at me when I confessed.

*Maybe one day,* I thought, *we can be friends again. But for now, I need to focus on myself.*

To be continued...