June's POV
"Why are you even going to the bar? You're still too young to be drinking," Alex protested firmly, stepping in front of the door like a barrier I couldn't push past.
"I don't care!" I snapped, my voice cracking. I hated how weak I sounded, but the hurt was too much. "I just want to forget what I saw. Seeing Jason with that girl—smiling, touching her like I never existed—it hurt, Alex. And then for him to look me in the eye, say he never loved me, and dump me right there in front of her... like I was nothing. Like trash being thrown out after being used."
Tears spilled down again before I could stop them. My whole body trembled. I clenched my fists, trying to pull myself together, but the pain kept splintering inside me like broken glass.
"Hey, hey..." Alex's voice softened as he stepped closer. "Don't cry, okay? You're not trash. You're not worthless. You deserve better, June. Much better."
I sniffled, wiping my face with shaking hands. I hated crying in front of him, but somehow… it felt okay when he was the one standing there.
He exhaled and looked at me with something gentle in his eyes. "Listen… Instead of going to the bar, how about I take you somewhere special? Somewhere that'll actually make you feel better. Trust me—you'll know when we get there."
I blinked up at him, hesitant. "Where?"
He didn't answer. He just held out his hand.
I stared at it for a second, then slowly reached out and took it. His hand was warm. Firm. Comforting.
He pulled me gently outside. We walked together under the moonlight, quiet but close. When we reached his motorcycle, he picked up one of the helmets and placed it on my head carefully, tightening the strap like he'd done it a hundred times.
"There. All good."
He climbed onto the bike, then turned toward me with that quiet, confident look. "Hop on."
I got on behind him, my arms instinctively wrapping around his waist. I leaned in, smirking near his ear. "You really do have a small waist."
He stiffened instantly. "W-will you stop teasing me or I won't take you anywhere."
"Okay, okay!" I giggled, enjoying how easily I could fluster him. "Don't be so grumpy."
The engine roared to life, and we sped down the empty road. The wind whipped past us, wild and freeing. When we hit 180 kilometers per hour, I screamed—not from fear, but from thrill. I laughed, the sound mixing with the rush of wind. I held onto him tighter, feeling the adrenaline melt some of the pain away.
I caught a glimpse of myself in his side mirror—hair flying, cheeks flushed, smiling like I hadn't in weeks.
And then I saw his smile, too. Soft, rare, beautiful.
Eventually, we pulled up to a cliff overlooking the city. The skyline glittered like a sea of stars scattered across the earth. I climbed off the bike slowly, staring in awe.
"Wow…" I whispered. "It's beautiful."
"You like it?" he asked as he walked up behind me.
"I love it," I breathed.
Then—suddenly—his arms wrapped around me from behind.
I froze.
Before I could speak, he gently placed a finger across my lips. "If you say a word, I'll let go," he whispered teasingly.
I couldn't help but laugh quietly, my heart skipping. Slowly, I relaxed into his embrace, placing my hands over his.
The wind brushed past us as we stood there, silent and still. His presence was so warm, so solid. I didn't want to move.
After a long while, I whispered, "I think... I wouldn't mind getting hurt often if it meant seeing this side of you more. Feeling... cared for like this."
He gently brushed my hair aside, exposing my neck. Then he rested his chin on my shoulder, his voice low, breath grazing my ear. "Don't tell me you still have a crush on me…"
I jolted, cheeks blazing. "N-no way! That was a long time ago... I was just a kid. You were the cutest boy in middle school, and I didn't know any better! But that's over now." I laughed awkwardly, trying to hide how fast my heart was beating. "If you'd said yes back then, maybe I wouldn't be heartbroken now."
That seemed to catch him off guard. His smile faded a little.
"I… care about you, June," he said after a pause, his voice softer than I'd ever heard it. "I'd do anything for you. But I can't love you the way you want me to. I'm sorry."
His words drifted into the wind, barely above a whisper.
He looked down, avoiding my eyes, and something about the way he did it—like a guilty puppy—made him look… adorable.
I couldn't help it. I reached out and patted his head. "There, there… my little cute puppy."
His face went crimson. "D-don't call me that! I'm not a puppy!"
He grabbed my hand and pulled it away, flustered and glaring, which only made me laugh harder.
"I swear—! I'll show you who's a puppy!" he shouted, lunging at me.
He ruffled my hair until it was a complete disaster.
"Alex!" I squealed, swatting at him. "You jerk!"
Laughing, I chased after him around the grassy cliff, determined to mess up his perfect hair. We ran, shouted, tackled each other, laughing so hard our sides hurt. For a little while, it felt like nothing else mattered—no heartbreak, no Jason, just… us.
Then I lunged and grabbed his arm—but he lost his balance. We stumbled.
I fell on top of him, our bodies tangled in the grass.
And then... everything went still.
Our eyes locked.
His deep eyes reflected the stars, and in that moment, I got lost in them. My heart pounded loud in my ears. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.
He cleared his throat and looked away. "I-it's getting late. We've got school tomorrow… we should go."
The moment shattered like glass.
"Y-yeah," I said quickly, scrambling off him. My face burned. I was an idiot. Stupid. Don't fall for him again, June.
"Hey," he asked gently, sitting up beside me, "are you okay?"
"Y-yeah. I'm fine," I said, trying to smile and failing miserably.
He stood and handed me the helmet again. I took it silently, climbed back on the bike, and wrapped my arms around his waist.
But this time… it hurt more.
As we rode through the night, I stared at the road ahead, blinking against the wind.
And then, silently, a tear slid down my cheek.
I wish you could see me the way I see you… and love me the way I love you.