Past

Six years flew by quickly. Now in Grade 10, they were still studying at the same school, though Sam and Mike were assigned to different sections. Only Sam and Xian remained classmates.

Sam had secretly harbored feelings for Mike for all those six years, hiding her emotions very well, with only Xian knowing the truth.

One day, Sam arrived extra early and waited alone in the laboratory room for their Cookery class.

After a few minutes, the other students started filing in, but the teacher was late. Throughout the wait, Sam's mind wandered far away, lost in deep thoughts about Mike.

"Psst! Sam!" Xian whispered loudly enough only for her to hear.

Sam got startled and turned to him, whispering back, "What?..." "Stop looking outside and focus on the lesson," Xian advised gently.

Sam sighed sadly and confessed, "I can't focus... After knowing the section of Mike..."

Xian understood her feelings but still reminded her seriously, "I know. But you still need to focus. Because what if there is a quiz today or an assessment about the lesson? What will you answer then? Hm?" He asked her, his voice filled with genuine concern.

"Sorry... I'll focus now," Sam whispered, feeling a bit upset but forcing herself to pay attention to the lesson.

Forty minutes later, their first class ended, and they had to return to their respective classrooms. As Sam walked down the stairs with Xian, she suddenly spotted Mike in the hallway. She couldn't help but stop and stare at him for a moment, completely forgetting where she was going. When Mike finally disappeared from sight, she realized she was left behind and quickly ran after her friend, shouting, "XIAN!! Wait for me!!" Xian turned around and asked, "Why did you take so long?"

"I just saw Mike," Sam said with a silly smile. Xian sighed and teased her, "So you daydream about him first? Then after he left, you finally came here."

Sam just giggled nervously in response. Seeing her so smitten, Xian encouraged her, "If you really liked him that much, you should just confess to him."

Sam's smile faded slightly as she replied softly, "I know... But I can't..."

"Why not?" Xian asked gently. He then guessed, "Because you're shy and anxious? Is that it?"

Sam nodded sadly, admitting, "Yes..." Her voice trembled slightly as she shared her biggest fear, "What if he rejected me? I'm scared to be rejected..." She looked down sadly and added, "You already know I've liked him for 6 years already..." Xian listened patiently and then told her sincerely, "I know you are scared. But at least he will know. It's better saying it to him than him being oblivious to what you are feeling." Sam let out a deep breath and whispered, "I know..."

"You know I will always support you, right?" Xian assured her.

Sam managed a small smile and said, "I know..." She took a deep breath and made up her mind, "sigh Fine I'll confess to him. But not right now.... Maybe soon.."

Xian smiled back and said, "That's okay." Sam nodded in agreement.

After a Few Days

Time passed, and Sam spent every moment practicing in her head exactly what she wanted to say to Mike, preparing herself for that special moment.

While Xian was busy helping Sam get ready to confess her feelings, the scene shifted to show what Mike was doing.

At that moment, Mike was attending an SSG meeting together with Rose, spending time with the girl he actually liked.

During the meeting, Rose noticed and asked Mike, "Hey Michael! I've been not seeing Samantha with you".

"Why?" Mike simply replied, "We had different section."

Rose looked curious and asked, "But I heard you and Samantha were inseparable? Did you both get into fight?"

Mike paused for a moment and answered softly, "No, just complicated."

Rose hummed in confusion, but Mike quickly changed the subject, saying, "Never mind it. By the way how are you?"

Rose answered, "I'm fine and you?" Mike smiled and said, "I'm good too. It's good to see you." Rose then teased him softly, "Why were not that even closed yet."

Mike caught her meaning immediately and asked hopefully, "The 'yet' you said, you mean I have a chance?"

Rose pretended not to understand, asking, "Chance at what?"

Mike looked at her and replied confidently, "You already know about it."

Rose insisted, "I don't."

So Mike took a deep breath and said seriously, "Fine I'll tell you, but please give me a chance."

Rose hesitated and replied, "Well it depends..."

Mike looked her in the eyes and confessed, "I like you for 2 years now..."

Rose was speechless and just said, "Uhm..."

Gathering all his courage, Mike asked directly, "Can I court you?"

Rose looked surprised and said, "That was unexpected from you..." Rose looked flustered and said, "I don't know what to say..."

Mike pleaded sincerely, "Please give me a chance..."

Finally, Rose gave in and smiled softly, "Fine... I'll let you."

Overjoyed, Mike couldn't help but hug her tightly, saying, "Thank you very much!"

Rose gently patted his back in return.

With that moment settled, the scene shifted back to where Samantha and Xian were.

"Is that Mike?" Xian asked suddenly.

Sam followed his gaze and saw Mike hugging a girl whose face looked very familiar to her.

"That girl looks familiar..." Xian remarked.

"Yeah she does..." Sam replied softly, though her heart was sinking. (Inside her mind questions were swirling: Why does he hug her? Are they together?) Overwhelmed by sadness and anxiety, she unknowingly clenched her hands tightly into fists.

"Sam??? Are you okay?" Xian asked worriedly.

Sam forced a weak smile and replied, "I'm Okay..I guess..." Gathering all her strength, she walked over to where Mike and Rose were standing. "Hello Mike!" she greeted cheerfully, trying to hide her pain.

"Oh Sam…" Mike said, sounding a bit surprised.

Rose smiled warmly at her and said, "Hello Samantha!"

Sam looked at her closely and asked, "Do I know you?"

Rose smiled and reminded her, "It's me Rose. I was with Jake 6 years ago."

Sam's eyes widened in realization, "Ohh... That was you?"

"Yes!" Rose confirmed happily. "Nice seeing you."

Xian then stepped forward and said, "Ohh So you were Rose?"

Rose looked at him and asked, "Oh! you must be Xian, right?"

"Yes that's me. How did you know?" Xian asked curiously.

Rose explained, "Jake been talking about you three being not inseparable to each other, and it was cute. It's like triplets or trio of friends." Then she turned to Sam and asked, "But can I ask you something, Samantha?"

"Uh sure! What is it?" Sam replied.

Rose looked at her and asked directly, "Did you and Michael get into fight or something else?"

Sam looked at her and asked curiously, "Why?"

Rose answered honestly, "Because before he was close with you but now you both look like stranger to each other."

Just as she said that, Mike suddenly said, "I need to go first. Bye..." and quickly walked away.

Rose pointed at him and exclaimed, "See?!! He just left!"

Sam looked at where he was standing and said sadly, "I don't know what happened to him either..."

Little did she know, Mike had developed feelings for a girl named Rose. He had already confessed to her, and Rose accepted him. Samantha was completely unaware of this.

Realizing the conversation was getting awkward, Rose said, "Oh, okay... I need to go now. See you next time!!"

"Okay!" Sam replied softly.

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