"The most beautiful discoveries are the ones that were right in front of us all along." ~ Unknown
"Yeah. I heard she was in City Z."
"She must've come home like me for Christmas Eve," Robert said.
"Yeah."
Selina and her group walked in. It was like wherever they went, she grabbed everyone's attention.
She was dressed in beige pants and a white sleeveless shirt with a necklace, earrings, rings, and a bracelet. Her long, wavy black hair was put up in a bun.
They walked inside and instantly mixed with people. Michael looked at her for a moment, then excused himself to play darts and pool.
Asper wasn't crazy rich, but she had enough to enjoy life. She had her own darts and pool table at home.
He enjoyed playing games. He didn't talk to them a lot as their topics of interest were usually not the same. He preferred to just listen and occasionally reply.
And of course, he was winning the games. The third round ended with a huge victory for him. He shook hands with the opponents and was thinking whether to stop and play something else. Just then, a person came and asked in a melodious voice.
"Hey, can I join the game? Who's playing? Oh, Michael? You also play pool?"
Selina asked as she leaned forward toward the table to look at him.
"He does not just play it. He kills it," someone said from the side.
Selina looked at them, then back at Michael.
"I am also good at this game. It was once my favourite indoor game. Let's play then. I want to see how good you are."
Selina challenged. Michael nodded and accepted calmly. He was surprised Selina came, but it was only a game after all.
The game started, and Selina went first. She earned a point in the first shot. Then she shot another one. On the third try, the ball didn't go in. Now Michael played his game. He shot three balls in a row before stopping.
The game was quite intense and they both concentrated without talking. Even the bystanders were quiet. It was a great match. Michael won by two more points. Selina looked at him in a new light. She never knew Michael was this good.
Well, now that she thought about it, there was no one like Michael in their class or even in her life. She had seen many quiet and introverted people, but Michael had a unique beauty in his silence. Despite being low-key and antisocial, he was quite famous among students in high school.
She shook hands with him and said with a smile.
"It was an amazing game. I didn't know you were this good. Let's play again sometime."
"Yeah."
Selina left. After midnight hit, everyone began to leave.
Michael looked at Selina one last time, and she also looked back. They were both stunned, but then Selina smiled and nodded at him.
Michael was surprised but still nodded politely and left.
After Michael left, half of the girls including Asper and Selina's group remained. They were having the usual girls' talk.
"Hey, since when did Michael get so handsome? I mean I knew he was good-looking, but did you guys see him today? Oh my god! I can't believe I never noticed it."
"He always had his hair down. It used to hide his face. Now that he cut it a little more, he totally looks different. He was kind of charming. Asper! It wasn't fair! You kept him to yourself. How about matching us up?" One of their classmates said jokingly.
"I didn't keep him to myself. We are just good friends. Anyway, Michael is not interested in relationships. He rejected every single person who confessed to him," Asper laughed slightly and told the girls.
"Sigh, if only we noticed him earlier. Maybe we could have won his heart."
Selina just listened without showing any emotions as she sipped her drink. Her thoughts flowed back to when they were playing. Michael had taken off his blazer and tie. His shirt was untucked and the first two buttons were open. He bent down to shoot the ball, and his white hair fell over his grey eyes. He confidently shot the ball. The girls around her were swooning over him. She also noticed him like everyone else did. She was also just as amazed at him as everyone else. It was like he deliberately hid himself in their high school.
That was the first time they met after three years since high school. Even in high school they rarely interacted with each other.
After this party, their life went on like this casually. Then a few months later, there was another reunion party. They again met and played games together, but nothing more than that.
Once, they coincidentally crossed paths in a mall. They had coffee together with their other friends and parted ways. This way, their paths kept intertwining like it was fate.