Chapter 2Done with the Bullet Comments

That afternoon, I didn’t go to the restaurant he always took me to.

I didn’t order his favorite spicy chicken ahead of time, like I usually did.

I just went to the library by myself and studied all afternoon.

It wasn't until dusk that my phone screen lit up. It was the first message from Leo all day.

[Dinner tonight?]

I glanced at it and didn’t reply.

The comments immediately flooded my vision:

[Answer him, sweetie! Leo's already backing down!]

[Why are you playing hard to get now? It's a huge deal for Leo to message first!]

[That’s just how guys are! They’re too proud to apologize, but this is his way of making up!]

I turned off my phone screen and went back to my book.

Not five minutes later, another message came in.

[Where are you? I’ll pick you up.]

I didn’t reply. I didn’t even open it.

The notification light blinked for a while before finally going dark.

That evening, I went for a run on the campus track.

It was the first time I hadn't told him where I was going.

I had just finished one lap when I heard someone call my name. “Mia.”

I stopped and turned. Leo was standing on the edge of the track, wearing that familiar black windbreaker.

He walked toward me, a bottle of water in his hand.

“I thought you said your cold wasn’t better yet, that you weren’t going to run?”

“I’m in a good mood today. Felt like a walk.”

He frowned, handing me the water. “Is your throat still sore?”

I took the bottle but didn’t open it.

The comments popped up again:

[He won’t say it, but he’s worried sick! He searched the entire campus just to find you!]

[He's afraid to admit he's worried you'll think he's being too emotional. Ugh, why does Leo always live by these stupid, unspoken rules?]

[Sweetie, don't be so cold to him. What if you break his heart…]

I took a sip of water, my voice calm. “Did you need something?”

He stared at me for a few seconds before asking, “Are you mad?”

I didn’t answer.

“Is it because of Stella?”

I met his gaze. “Isn’t she your friend from childhood? What right do I have to be mad?”

Leo was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, “She’s not my type.”

I let out a small, humorless laugh. “Then what is your type?”

His eyes darted away. He didn't answer.

I didn't press him. I just said softly, “If you don’t like her, then keep your distance. Don’t give people the wrong idea, and don’t embarrass me.”

“You’ve always known we’re just friends,” he said, his voice stiff. “I haven’t done anything to cross the line.”

“But it makes me uncomfortable,” I said, looking right at him. “Do you get that? It doesn’t matter if you cross a line. Just the sight of you standing next to her is enough to make me miserable.”

A heavy silence fell between us.

The comments were in a frenzy:

[Leo, say something! Our girl has spelled it out for you!]

[Holy crap, Leo, if you don’t explain yourself now, it’s going to be too late!]

[He’s totally panicking inside, but he doesn’t know how to express it… Just give him a little more time!]

I waited. But no response came.

Leo just stood there, his expression a mask of restraint, as if he were fighting a battle with himself, or maybe just completely lost.

And I suddenly realized, that was the problem between us.

He was always used to silence, and I was always used to speaking for him.

Used to believing the voices of the comments, instead of the truth of his silence.

I didn't reply to any more of his messages that night.

And he didn't try to contact me again.

Until two in the morning, when I saw her new post.

It was a selfie from Stella.

She was on the outdoor patio of a quiet, off-campus bar.

Candlelight flickered in the photo as she flashed a peace sign at the camera.

The top comment was glowing:

[The person taking the pic is Leo, right? I get it, I get it~]

I stared at it for a few seconds, then tossed my phone aside.

The comments were still there, working overtime to explain it all away:

[Leo wasn’t even looking at Stella! He’s just using her to make you jealous!]

[Don't believe the picture, he didn't even take it! He was just passing by!]

[He was sitting there thinking about you! He’s still waiting for you to back down first!]

I stared up at the ceiling and slowly closed my eyes.

After a while, you hear so many excuses that you just go numb.

No matter how real they sound, they lose all their power.