The time was 6:30 PM, but Ms. Marie decided to close the shop earlier than usual. She had somewhere to be that evening, and though most employees would relish the thought of getting off work early, John wasn't one of them.
Working overtime was his escape. The longer he stayed at the supermarket, the less time he had to spend at home—less time breathing the same air as his mother, enduring the same tense, suffocating silence. But today, fate wasn't on his side.
With a final twist of her key, Ms. Marie locked up the supermarket, hopped onto her bicycle, and rode down the street. John watched as she disappeared around the corner, leaving him standing alone in front of the darkened storefront. He exhaled heavily, tilting his head back to stare at the evening sky.
John (to himself): I don't want to go home right now... but it's not like I can just stand here all night. If only there was something I could do to pass the time.
As if answering his silent plea, a familiar voice called out to him.
Rachel: Hey, John! What's up?
John's gaze lowered, and he saw her walking toward him. Rachel looked different tonight. She was dressed in a light-colored shirt with bold, pink letters that read, "GO GIRL!!!" paired with a stylish pair of bomb shorts and matching sneakers. The casual yet cute look suited her, and for a fleeting moment, John found himself staring longer than he meant to.
John: Hey.
Rachel: So, uh… what brings you here?
John: I work here, remember?
Rachel: Oh. Right. (laughs softly) I was actually running some errands for my mom. She wanted me to get some tomato paste.
John sighed. Well, unfortunately, we just closed. Too early, in fact.
Rachel: Really? That's a shame.
An awkward silence followed, thick and lingering between them. John, already exhausted from the day, decided it was best to take his leave.
John: Well, I gotta go. See you at school tomorrow.
Rachel: Yeah…
John turned and started walking away. Rachel watched him, biting her lip as hesitation flickered in her chest. And then, Leanne's words from the summer replayed in her mind like a warning.
"Look, Rach, if you really like John, you better act fast. Because from what I can tell, someone else might already be trying to take him away from you."
The thought sent a jolt through her, igniting a determination she hadn't fully embraced before. This was her chance.
Rachel: Um… John?
He stopped and turned back to her, a questioning look in his eyes.
John: What is it?
Rachel hesitated, then instinctively twirled a strand of her wine-colored hair around her finger. Her heart was racing.
Rachel: Do you… wanna go somewhere?
*****
After their first hangout at the start of the summer holidays, Leanne had invited Rachel over to her house for some "serious girl talk." and to give her some much-needed advice on how to win John over. Rachel had been hesitant at first, unsure if she even wanted to admit her feelings out loud, but Leanne was her best friend—if anyone could help her, it was her.
Once Rachel arrived, Leanne led her upstairs to her bedroom, ensuring they had privacy for their discussion. As soon as Rachel stepped inside, her eyes wandered around the room, taking in her surroundings. There were stuffed teddy bears everywhere—on the shelves, on the bed, even perched on the windowsill. The walls were painted a color that was close to white, though Rachel couldn't quite place the exact shade. It was soft, warm, and welcoming, much like Leanne herself.
They both sat down on Leanne's bed as they started her discussion.
As they both settled onto Leanne's bed, Rachel couldn't help but whisper to herself…
Rachel: She even has more Teddy bears than me.
Leanne smirked, catching Rachel's words but choosing not to comment on them. Instead, she got straight to the point.
Leanne: Listen, you're my best girlfriend, and that's exactly why I called you here—to help you with your boy problem.
Rachel offered her a grateful smile.
Rachel: I really appreciate you doing this, Leanne.
Leanne waved her off.
Leanne: Of course! Now, let's get down to the main question.
Rachel blinked.
Rachel: Main question?
Leanne nodded and leaned forward slightly, her expression turning serious.
Leanne: Yeah, and that question is…(pauses for dramatic effect) Why do you love John?
Rachel's face immediately flushed a deep shade of red.
Rachel: Huh? Do I have to answer that?
Leanne: Yes. If you really want my help, you have to be honest about why you love him.
Rachel: (blushes) But…
Rachel fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, her heart beginning to race at the thought of putting her emotions into words.
Leanne: Hey, it's fine. It's just us here. You can let it out.
Rachel took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as she tried to calm herself. Her hands clutched at her chest, feeling the rapid beating of her heart.
Rachel: When I was younger, everyone treated me like the child of a celebrity.
Leanne tilted her head slightly, listening intently.
Rachel: Every time my parents appeared in a magazine or some popular article, people would talk about how lucky I was to have rich and famous parents, (her eyes lowered) But…
She hesitated for a moment, and Leanne leaned in closer, urging her to continue.
Rachel: But John… he was the first person who ever treated me like an actual person. Not as a celebrity's daughter, but as a normal girl.
A small smile tugged at her lips as she spoke.
Rachel: And that's how he's always been. He treats people exactly as they are—not for their status, not for what they can offer him, but just… as people.
Leanne hummed in understanding, tapping her chin.
Leanne: Hmm… that seems like a reasonable reason to like someone. (grins playfully.) That look on your face right now is pure gold.
Rachel gasped, her blush deepening.
Rachel: Leanne!
Leanne: (chuckles) Sorry, sorry! But now that I know why you love him, you have to let him know that.
Rachel: Huh? I have to tell him.
Leanne: Of course! How do you think confessions work? You can't just say 'I like you' and expect that to be enough!
Rachel: (puzzled) I can't?
Leanne sighed dramatically, slapping a hand to her forehead.
Leanne: You clearly clueless when it comes to love, aren't you?
Rachel: Of course I am. This is the first time I've felt this way about a guy!
Leanne laughed, but Rachel merely looked down at her lap, her fingers twisting into her skirt. Her face felt impossibly warm at the thought of confessing everything she had just said to John.
She groaned, covering her face with her hands.
Rachel: I am so not ready for this.
Leanne sighed, patting Rachel's shoulder.
Leanne: Okay, so let's get a run down of the whole thing. First before you confess to him, make sure to constantly keep in touch with him so the confession wouldn't look like it came from nowhere.
Rachel: Well, we've been friends since we were little kids so I got that covered already.
Leanne sighed, regaining her composure & patting Rachel's shoulder.
Leanne: Alright. Let's break it down. First, before you confess, you need to make sure you're constantly keeping in touch with him. That way, your confession won't seem like it came out of nowhere.
Rachel nodded.
Rachel: We've been friends since we were little kids, so I think I've got that covered.
Leanne nodded approvingly.
Leanne: Good. Next, you have to find the perfect time and place to confess. If you want to capture his heart, you need to make sure the moment feels right.
Rachel tilted her head.
Rachel: Like they do in romance novels?
Leanne chuckled.
Leanne: Well, I guess that works. (pauses) And finally, you need to be prepared for the possibility that he might say no. No matter what answer he gives you, your friendship with John will change the moment you confess.
Rachel gulped at the thought. This was the part that scared her the most.
Leanne studied her friend carefully before leaning in slightly.
Leanne: Now that I've told you all the pros and cons, do you still want to go through with it? (pauses, her voice softened) Do you love John enough to take this risk?
Rachel looked down, deep in thought. A quiet moment passed before an image of John flashed in her mind—his warm smile, his gentle eyes, the way he made her feel like she was just Rachel and not the daughter of someone famous. Slowly, she smiled.
Rachel: Yes. I'm ready to take on everything.
Leanne held her gaze for a long moment before speaking again.
Leanne: Then, before you confess, I need to ask you something real—do you love John, or do you just want him?
Rachel frowned.
Rachel: What do you mean? Of course, I love him!
Leanne: I mean, (pauses) do you love him for who he is, even if he never loves you back? Or do you just want him because you can't stand the idea of him choosing someone else?
Rachel fell silent, her expression unreadable.
After a long pause, she finally whispered,
Rachel: Both.
Leanne: (puzzled) Both?
Rachel: I love him, but… I also don't want to lose him. I want him to see me the way I see him.
Leanne exhaled softly, her tone gentle but firm.
Leanne: Then you need to be prepared for whatever happens. If he says no, are you ready to accept that and move on?
Rachel fidgeted, avoiding eye contact.
Rachel: …I don't know.
Leanne reached out and placed a comforting hand on Rachel's.
Leanne: Then you need to figure that out before you do this. Because love isn't about having someone—it's about wanting them to be happy, even if it's not with you.
*****
Rachel walked side by side with John, her hands tucked into the pockets of her jacket as they made their way down the quiet sidewalk. The sky above them was a deep shade of blue, the last remnants of daylight fading into the horizon. The streetlights flickered on one by one, casting a soft glow on the pavement.
As they walked, Rachel found herself lost in thought, reflecting on everything that had led up to this moment. She glanced at John briefly before turning her gaze forward again, a quiet determination settling in her heart.
Rachel: I'm not doing all of this just to hear a 'no' from him. That's not how this is supposed to go. I've known him longer than anyone else. I know exactly what he's going through with his mom at home. And when someone's been in your life for that long, through the good and the bad, doesn't it just make sense that they'd end up with the person who understands them best? The one they have the most memories with?
Her thoughts swirled in her mind, a mixture of hope and determination. She had planned this evening carefully, making sure everything would be just right. This wasn't just another outing—it was a chance to make John see what had been right in front of him all along.
John's voice suddenly broke through her train of thought.
John: So uh…Rachel?
She blinked, snapping out of her inner monologue and turning her head toward him.
Rachel: Yeah? What is it?
John rubbed the back of his neck, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
John: We've been walking for a while, but you haven't exactly said where we're going.
Rachel's lips curled into a playful smile. Instead of answering immediately, she picked up her pace, stepping ahead of him. Then, with a sudden, graceful twirl, she spun around to face him, her hands clasped behind her back. Her eyes sparkled under the glow of the streetlights, mischief dancing within them.
Rachel: Starlife Amusement Park just re-opened. And I thought we could go there.
John's expression shifted, his eyebrows raising in mild surprise. He hadn't expected that answer.
John: Really?
Rachel nodded eagerly, a small bounce in her step.
Rachel: Yeah! We haven't been there since we were kids, and—well, this is probably the last chance we'll have to have some fun before we start preparing for mock exams. College is gonna take over our lives soon, so I figured… why not?
A gentle breeze rustled through the trees lining the sidewalk, carrying the crisp scent of early autumn. Rachel watched John's expression carefully, her heart beating just a little faster. Would he think it was childish? Would he brush it off as just another casual hangout? Or… would he realize that this night was meant to be something more?
John remained silent for a moment, his gaze searching hers as if trying to decipher something unspoken. He hadn't been expecting this. Not that he was against it, but it was so… different from what he thought she had planned. Yet, as he looked at the excitement on her face, the way her eyes shone with anticipation, something in him softened.
John: (to himself) I mean, I'm not in a hurry to go home, right? (to Rachel) Alright, alright. Let's go.
Rachel's smile widened into a grin, and without hesitation, she grabbed his wrist and tugged him forward.
Rachel: Then hurry up, slowpoke!