Even after everything that happened, his day at middle school was still as normal as it could be, from the bustling crowd of students going from one classes to another for their further education, to the teachers fulfilling their duty while being in the school's ground. A test, some revision of old subject, and a few pop quizzes here and there to keep them on their toes for the upcoming midterm. Honestly, the last few days of school was almost a blur to him with how uneventful and mundane it was in his memory. And there aren't exactly anything important worth mentioning either since he was always busy with his other stuff still taking up most of his attention at the moment.
With the system not only being a great assistance for him during his lesson, but also making him more efficient while scheduling his time for his homework, he don't exactly have much to worry about in terms of academic. And his training with Lynn was more than enough to improve his body during their last physical and health check up. Which bring him to the last matter at hand, the obvious problem he was currently struggling to deal with.
The balance of his friend group being compromised, creating a growing gap between their friendship. He can definitely say that for sure with how weird stuff has been lately among them when they were in the cafeteria. Not that they are being subtle about it either though. But he can't say he didn't expect something like this to happen, not when his change was probably also one of the reason behind it.
With Shay being added into the equation as his girlfriend, it wasn't a surprise why he can no longer spend as much time with them anymore like he used to. But that wasn't really the problem there, after all it's not like they can't all just hang out together if they wanted to. It was the dynamic of their relationship that prevented them from spending time as a group. Mostly with Stella still having a hard time to face him without thinking back of that awful day, of the stuff she said to him.
Though, was it really his fault that he didn't notice her feeling towards him? That he was stupid enough not to notice he was the source for this gap growing larger between his friends. It would be easier to blame everything on himself, that he was the reason why they were no longer as close as they used to be, but this time it wasn't his fault and he refused to think otherwise, not with how that would put another question in his head that he would rather not think about. When you plant a seed of doubt, it will only grow into regret, and regret will branch out into more possibility of mistakes being make. He of all people couldn't afford to do that, to slip when he was already this far would be reckless of him. Not only to himself but also the people around him. There is no reason why you can't have doubt, you just can't let it eat you up from the inside. There is a different between being careful and being stupid. Even if he usually fell under the second category.
And girl Jordan was also acting kind of weird lately. Whenever he caught her staring at him, she would quickly looked away or just straight up started running from him when he tried to talk to her. He don't exactly know what her deal was but as long as she didn't bother him, he don't think he should think too hard about it. If anything she's probably still salty after losing against him in dodgeball.
It wasn't much, but since Shay was registered into the database as his harem, he managed to figure out some of the rules and requirement for the system to acknowledge certain dating routes for him to choose from. As long as he don't start making any improvement in their routes, he would probably be fine with Stella, Jordan, and Alex being stuck in the progress category. That is until he know how to get them out completely from the database. At least, it was the safest option he can choose from at the moment.
He knew there was a way, it has to be if what he remembered from that awful day was correct. That moment when Shay's routes was momentarily disconnected from the system, from him. He just need to figure out the condition and find a way to trigger that same scene to appear again. But it wasn't exactly easy with how the system was only pushing him to start making progress in their routes. If only the condition wasn't so vague for him to point out.
Either way, his schedule was also starting to look less crowded with his visit to see Aunt Ruth at the hospital finally finishing today due to her recovery, also bringing an early end to his long week punishment given by mom and dad. With Aunt Ruth getting better he also no longer have a reason to go to the hospital anymore to take care of her. And if he need to guess, mom and dad had probably signed her out already that morning before sending her back home to her cats. Which is a good thing for the older woman with how she fondly told him of how much she missed her cats. With how long she had been taking care of them like her own family, he can't say he won't feel the same if he was put in the same place. Being separated from his family would definitely left a weird taste in his mouth.
It is finally done, now he can actually give more attention to his own problem still nagging at the back of his head. His agreement with Shay's dad was still in progress mostly on his part since the older man has already accepted him as part of their family, there was still that problem with Stella avoiding him, and he still have that meeting with his gaming partner Crystal Skull tomorrow at Gus's Games and Grub. Seriously, since when did his life get so complicated like this?
Right, since he played that dating simulator game...
He still need to find more information about that thing.
...
"You alright buddy, you've been staring a lot lately?" Clyde asked beside him in the cafeteria while taking out his lunch, a turkey sandwich from a paper bag.
"I'm fine Clyde, I just have some stuff to think about, thanks for asking though." He replied, taking a bite from the apple in his right hand since he was already done with his own sandwich.
"Still thinking about Stella?" Clyde suddenly asked, catching him by surprise with how accurate he was.
"Yeah, sort of, how did you know?" Lincoln curiously asked with a brow raised at his best friend.
"Lincoln, buddy, you aren't exactly great at trying to be mysterious, plus I'm your best friend." Clyde simply shrugged. "It wasn't really that hard to guess since we're all probably thinking of the same thing." He added.
"What do you mean by that?" Lincoln confusedly asked, still struggling to understand what his best friend was trying to say.
"He meant all of us you moron." Zach annoyedly said before taking a seat beside him.
"Jeez Linc, it hasn't even been a week yet and you had already forgotten about us." Rolling his eyes, Rusty sat beside Clyde who was still enjoying his sandwich. "I thought we meant more to you, how could you do this to me, to your Rustman!" He dramatically said, getting a groan from Liam sitting beside him.
"Shut it Rusty, you're making my ears bleed." Liam scowled.
Looking at his friends gathered around the table after being gone for so long, Lincoln couldn't help the smile from appearing on his face at the familiar feeling of fondness blossoming out from his calm heart. It wasn't even that long and yet he could feel some of the normalcy of his life coming back to him. No matter what, they will always have his back as he would also do for them. Looking back on how much everything was messing around with him lately, Lincoln let out a low chuckle of amusement, confusing them a little as they all looked at him.
"I... I really missed you guys." Lincoln honestly said. "It's nice to know that you are all still the same."
"Is that... Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Rusty obliviously asked.
"Not for you I guess." Zach remarked before sighing in resignation and looking at his white haired friend. "And I think we all know why Stella is not here for this conversation we are going to have." He seriously mentioned.
"Lincoln, is there anything you want to say?" The spectacled boy added, putting him on the spot.
"Stella..." Lincoln paused, struggling to find the proper words in his head before sighing and lifting his head to look at his friends still being by his side. "She... She kind of have a crush on me." He finally let out as the table went quiet for a bit, not in shock or disbelief but one of confliction with how they should continue.
"I can't say I didn't see that coming." Zach calmly replied, pushing his glasses slightly up his nose.
"Yeah, Stella wasn't exactly great at hiding her feeling either, we might be dense but we know when a girl like our friend." Liam casually pointed out.
"Just like how we know you and Shay have feelings for each other no matter how much you're trying to deny it before." Rusty stated. "Seriously, you're such a dumbass when I'm thinking back on it."
"The point is, Stella knew you're going be dating Shay sooner or later, and she already made her decision about it." Clyde finished his sandwich. "They aren't really much we can do right now, she would still be our friend but I don't think it would be the same as before." He continued.
"And even if she confessed her feeling to you before this whole ordeal, I don't think any of us would mind it that much." Zach blurted out as Lincoln's eyes slightly widened in surprise.
"Wait, you don't mind if I'm dating Stella?" The white haired boy asked in confusion. "What about that whole thing from before when we're all competing to flirt with her?"
"Link, that was like ages ago, besides I don't think any of us would be able to deal with Stella like you do." Rusty smirked. "What? Do you really think you're the only one who have changed?" The lanky boy added.
"I guess you're right." Lincoln slowly lowered his head in defeat before running his right hand through his white hair.
"Anyway, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry I can't hang out as often anymore with you guys, some stuff just came up and I'm still trying to get everything organized." Lincoln apologized only for Zach to punch his shoulder.
"Instead of apologizing to us, you should probably come up with a solution for this." Zach glared at him.
"He's right Linc, why do you think we are all even here for?" Liam chuckled. "Just to see your sorry ass?"
"We are all just waiting for you dude." Rusty smiled.
"So what do you have in mind, the man with the plan?" Clyde finally joined in.
...
Meanwhile somewhere else in the middle school, girl Jordan was getting some of her stuff from her locker when someone leaned against a closed locker near her.
"If you're here to find trouble, let me advice you to walk away, I'm not someone you can just deal with that easily." Girl Jordan seriously warned.
"I'm not here to cause trouble girl Jordan." The feminine voice spoke, hesitating for a moment before continuing. "I... I'm here to talk." She nervously added.
"Then make it quick..." Girl Jordan shut her locker close and turned to her side, her light brown eyes narrowed at the tall girl standing beside her. "Stella." She muttered the name with a hint of suspicion in her voice.
"Look, I don't want to do this either but from a girl to another, it would probably be better if you stop doing whatever it is you're doing to Lincoln." Stella advised.
"And what exactly do you think I'm doing to him." Girl Jordan crossed her arms in defiance, hardening her glare even more at the girl's accusation.
"You know what I'm talking about girl Jordan, this whole charade where you kept watching over Lincoln need to stop, I'm doing this for your own good." Stella lowered her gaze.
"He might not see me as his friend anymore, but I can at least do something right and stop you if you're only going to bother them." She nervously rubbed her left arm.
"For someone so pretty you sure have a lot of self esteem problem." Girl Jordan sighed. "I don't know what your deal is Stella, and whatever it is, I don't think you should compare it to mine, it is not the same." She seriously said.
"So you're saying you don't have a crush on Lincoln?" At that both girls went quiet in realization.
"Me, with that dork, don't be ridiculous!" Girl Jordan said, a tinge of red crossed her cheeks. "Wait, you have a crush on Lincoln?"
"Yeah, that's why I'm telling you to stop already if you think you can get him away from Shay, you will only hurt yourself." Stella replied.
"You still like him, don't you?" Girl Jordan bluntly asked, startling the tall girl as she lowered her head to avoid her questioning gaze.
"I can't believe this, I can't believe you are really this stupid." Girl Jordan sighed. "You can't even be honest with yourself and you want me to listen to you just because he rejected you?"
"He already have Shay, girl Jordan, I don't think you should get anywhere between them." Stella weakly argued. "And if you know Lincoln like I do, you should already know what type of person he was when he set his mind on something."
"So?" Girl Jordan responded with a dismissive shrug. "Just because you're afraid of admitting your own feeling doesn't mean that I need to do the same, I'm not you Stella, if I really wanted something I will work for it."
"And don't hide your own cowardice under the pretense that you're doing this for me or them, you're doing all of this for yourself, to make yourself feel better from the guilt."
"If you really love someone you should never feel regret or guilt for loving them, it will only show how weak you are." Girl Jordan said, looking at the poor girl barely holding in her tears before sighing in defeat.
"From a girl to another, stay out of this Stella, if you don't want to fight for his love then you shouldn't interfere either." Girl Jordan added before finally walking away from the tall filipino girl still staring in disdain at the floor.
What was she thinking...
What gives her the right to advice girl Jordan when she herself was struggling to accept her own feeling. Maybe what girl Jordan was trying to do was wrong but she at least know what she wanted. What about her, can she also the same about herself, was she really willing to lose Lincoln, or just having him as her friend. Was it really wrong that she wanted more than that. To be someone important for him.
But she also don't want to ruin what Lincoln and Shay have. The love they held close and dear for each other. If anything she also wanted to have what they shared, that beautiful connection she had been dreaming of. That connection with Lincoln. It was a selfish request, one made by longing and regret, a testament of her own feeling towards the white haired boy. And she can't see herself wanting it any other way. But would she really be willing to fight for it, to destroy what little sliver of hope left for them to be friend. Would she really put their friendship away as a sacrifice to get what she wanted, to give her all and not stopping back or hesitating with her decision.
And even then, there would still be girl Jordan she was competing with. She might have the advantage of somewhat still being his friend but from what she heard about the ginger haired girl from Lincoln, she was also in the same kindergarten as him. That they used to even be best friends before they both separated after entering elementary school for reason he refused to think about. They might be some bitter memory between them in the past but without a proper proof, she can't quite tell when their friendship actually ended, and why.
Looking back on it why would girl Jordan even have a crush on him. And why did she choose now of all time to make her move when he was already dating Shay. What was it that actually happened between them?
She can't do this, not without more information as to why girl Jordan was so insistent to get what she wanted, even at the cost of ruining Lincoln and Shay relationship. She might be in the same boat as the girl but unlike her, she don't want Lincoln to hate her more by saying his feeling for Shay was not real. Anyone could see how serious his love was for the quiet girl, and trying to say otherwise would only be foolish of them. With how long she had known the white haired boy, if there's something that he always put up as his top priority, it would definitely be his sisters. Now that he also have Shay to take care of, she don't know how much his priority would change.
If she could also somehow be one of them...
...
The bells eventually rang, signalling the end of recess as the crowd of students started filing out through the hallways for their next classes. Among them, Lincoln was taking out a few books from his locker before closing it and making his way to his next class, which would be math with Mr Bolhoffner. He was kind of surprised before when he first find out about it, but the older man actually taught a few different classes and subjects by himself. And it wasn't the middle level kind either, he was serious with all of them, taking his method into the next level with how efficient he was at teaching them on each certain subjects. Honestly with how talented he was, he could have probably be a lecturer or teacher for those people in the university. Why he even chose to teach this middle school in the middle of nowhere, he can't say for sure. If anything he probably liked it here since the town was close to some of the national park.
After getting out from the main building, he almost reached Mr Bolhoffner's class when something caught his attention. A weird voice of someone groaning behind the thorn bushes close to the gate. And from the voice he could probably guess who the person was either. He could have just walk away and get into his class, forgetting this ever happened before Mr Bolhoffner scolded him for being late. And yet, he couldn't help but sighed before carefully approaching the bushes where the sound was coming from.
Upon seeing the troubled person, Lincoln brushed his right hand through his white hair. "You alright there Chandler?" He asked, shocking the red haired boy who was stuck in the small hole under the gate. Where did that hole even come from?
"Damn it, is that you Larry?" Chandler frustratedly asked, struggling even more since he can't completely see the white haired boy standing behind him.
"I don't exactly mind seeing you skipping class, but skipping school?" Lincoln said with a half shrug, ignoring the boy still getting his name wrong definitely not by accident.
"Knock it off Larry, if you're only going to stand there and judge me, why don't you help me out already." The red haired boy groaned.
"I don't know Chandler, I'm already late for class you know, I can probably call Lynn to help you if you wanted to though." Lincoln pointed out as the boy quickly try his best to look back at him only to no avail.
"Wait, Lincoln don't leave me here!" Chandler pleaded. So he does remember his name. "I will give you anything just get me out of here!" Wow, he almost can't believe how much the boy was still the same, it's almost felt like he didn't change at all during their time in the middle school.
Sighing, Lincoln stood beside the boy prone body being pressed down by the gate sticking into the fabric of his red shirt. "Just don't move alright." With that, Lincoln started untangling the boy's shirt from the gate and carefully lifted the it higher so Chandler could pull himself back.
But instead of what he expected, Chandler pushed himself further until he was standing on the other side of the gate before laughing at him. "Heh, thanks Larry, I can't get out from Bolhoffner's class without your help." He mocked.
"Seriously Chandler." A sigh escaped from his lips. "Honestly, I can't even say that I'm surprised."
"So long Larry." Chandler picked up his bagpack he had probably thrown there earlier and started walking away from the gate, not once looking back before disappearing along the building near them.
He know Chandler wasn't exactly one would consider as a decent student but he wasn't that bad either to start skipping school entirely. Not that he can say he understand much about the red haired boy with how complicated his situation was since he was also somewhat a former bully at their old elementary school. With most of his friends moving away or going to a different school, he don't exactly have anything to hold onto other than his reputation. Unfortunately, it does follow you wherever you go. And for Chandler, it really left a gap in his own growth.
Well, now he is going to be late for Mr Bolhoffner's class, wasn't that just great.
And he don't have a good excuse either to reason with the older man.
Messing with his white hair in frustration, Lincoln eventually went to his class, opening the door before looking at Mr Bolhoffner already starting his lesson. When the older man looked at him, his eyes slightly hardened as he returned his attention to the white board.
"What are you waiting for Loud, get your late ass to your seat already." Mr Bolhoffner simply said, surprising him a bit with how easy he got away.
"S-sure Mr Bolhoffner." He replied, looking at the rest of the also confused class and getting to his seat. Like him, they also probably didn't expect their homeroom teacher to let him go that easily either without even a warning. And that's probably make it even more worse.
The class went on as usual with Mr Bolhoffner teaching them about their current subject while also giving them a few homework to test their progress when they meet again next week. Though, that is only until the bells rang for the end of the lesson. While the rest of the students were excused, he was required by the older man to stay there for a bit. Which was already a bad sign with how the rest of the students were murmuring about him while leaving the class.
"Lincoln, get here, there's something we need to talk about." Mr Bolhoffner seriously said as the white haired boy picked up his bagpack before standing Infront the teachers desk. The class's pet piranha swimming in its aquarium as if watching him through the glass.
"Take a chair, we might be here for awhile." The older man suggested. Nodding his head, Lincoln pulled out one of the seat from the empty table and sat on it while facing the black haired man with greying sides sitting Infront of him.
"So, what do you want to talk about Mr Bolhoffner?" Lincoln calmly asked.
"Sorry for taking your time kid, you don't need to be here if you don't want to." Mr Bolhoffner kindly said, shocking him even more with how different he was just in a matter of a second. Honestly, he never thought he would be able to converse with the older man with how annoyed he constantly was.
"It's fine Mr Bolhoffner, you must have something really important to talk about if you need me to stay back." Lincoln replied.
"Thank you for your understanding, but don't worry Lincoln this isn't about you, this is about Chandler Mc'Cann." Mr Bolhoffner stated. "Since you're from the same elementary school as him, I thought you might know some information about his situation."
"O-oh... I guess you can so." Lincoln rubbed the back of his neck. "But I don't really know much about him either." He added.
"I thought so..." The teacher paused in understanding. "I can already see that when I put you to sit Infront of him, I thought it would make both of you more comfortable to see familiar faces, I didn't think he would behave like that to you, I should've moved your seat much earlier since he was clearly interrupting your study." Mr Bolhoffner mentioned.
"Well, you don't exactly know about it." Lincoln assured him.
"But still, it is my responsibility to see onto each and every of my students needs..." He sighed. "No matter how much they think they don't need it." The older man pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly still thinking about the well being of his red haired student.
Sighing, Lincoln looked at the worried older man, contemplating his words for a bit before finally letting his thought out. "I know it isn't much but Chandler used to be something of a bully at our elementary school, he also have a few friends then, but they all got into a different school with him being the only one here." Lincoln informed. "And I kind of helped him get out from the school's ground when got stuck in a hole under the gate outside near the bushes." He admitted.
Hearing that, Mr Bolhoffner smiled at him. "You are a good student Lincoln, always remember that."
"There are already a few students that informed me about his attempt at the gate earlier and they all ignored him since they don't want to get into trouble. Even with your history with the boy, you're the only one who actually helped him. He might be a reckless kid but I'm thankful you didn't also ignore him." The teacher said.
"I might be rough sometimes, but I'm not only here to teach you what there's already in the textbooks, I'm teaching you how to survive out there," The older man looked at the piranha swimming in the aquarium.
"The wild might be a cruel place, but this human made concrete jungle is far crueler than you can ever think of." Mr Bolhoffner sighed. "And you are stuck in this horrible mess we the older generation left for you. We kept taking everything when they are already scarce of it that I don't think our children could have the opportunity to live in the same world we are currently in anymore in the future." He added.
"The wild is cruel because it was a necessary, but human, we don't have a reason to be so cruel other than our own greed." The teacher muttered out before returning his gaze on him.
"Thank you for listening to my rant Lincoln, you might not understand what I'm trying to say but it was nice to have a listening ears." The older man stood up from his seat. "And if you ever have the chance to meet with Chandler, please inform him to meet me if he find my way of teaching too harsh for his liking, I will personally ask the principal to transfer him into a different class." He said.
"And I would also do the same for you if you wanted to be in the same class as your friends." Mr Bolhoffner offered as Lincoln rubbed the back of his head.
"Thanks for the offer, but I would like to stay in this class." The white haired boy said with a small smile.
"I'm glad to hear that, but still don't think I will go easy on you." The older man smirked, returning to his usual self. "You should get to your next class already Loud, and if they asked why you're late, just tell them I need you for something, it should be enough for them."
"It's not like they can fire me from this school anyway." Mr Bolhoffner laughed as Lincoln simply shook his head in amusement.
[Mr Felix Bolhoffner has grown more favorable to you]
[Due to his 'Judgement', your reputation score will be increased to 86]
[Your quest will be calculated to create new paths for further experience]
...
With school finally over for the day, students cheerfully rushed out from the building main entrance, already excited since it was the start of the weekend where they can forget everything they just learned and have fun for a change. As most of the people had already left the school, Stella was walking through the quiet hallway, passing by a few students who were still hanging there for a club meeting or just planning what they are going to do during their day off.
And like them, She was heading to the news club room since Clyde texted her to meet them there for a meeting. He said it was something about Lincoln probably leaving the club since he can no longer attend their meeting and wanting her opinion on it. Knowing how important her presence was to make the decision, she agreed to be there since he also said that Lincoln would be excluded from the meeting for his own good. It's not that she don't want him to be there, she just thought it would be a hassle to give her honest opinion with him listening. Especially if it was involving their club activity.
Reaching the room, she held the knob and spun it before pushing the door open, her eyes instantly widened when saw the only person in there looking back at her while sitting in a chair. A humorless smirk plastered on her face as Stella felt her heart sank at the sight before her.
Sighing in defeat, she simply closed the door behind her and sat in an empty chair at the table, facing the white haired boy Infront of her.
"You planned this, didn't you?" Stella asked, even though she already know the answer.
"Yeah, but the rest of the gang also helped a bit." Lincoln said with a shrug. "They kind of figured out already that there was something happening between us." He added.
"But we don't exactly try to hide it either." Lincoln noted. "One way or another they will find out about it even if we didn't tell them anything."
"Then, what are we supposed to do now?" She asked, feeling her heart beating faster the longer she stayed in there. What girl Jordan said to her earlier coming back to her mind as if shouting at her conflicted mind at heart to make a decision.
"We let it all out." Lincoln seriously said. "We finally be honest with each other about our feelings, that is the only way we can get over this."
"It might sound ridiculous but I can't understand where we stand with each other if I don't know what you're thinking about, what you're actually feeling for me." Lincoln sighed. "So you don't need to hold back against me, just say whatever you wanted to say and I will listen to you."
A low chuckle escaped from her lips much to his surprise. "Is this... Is this all just a joke to you? Is my feeling really is nothing more than just a stupid joke to you!" She chuckled.
"I... Stella, I didn't mean to..." Lincoln tried to say only to be abruptly cut off by the tall girl.
"Then why do think by playing therapist you can fix us... FIX ME!?" Stella raised her voice, standing up and smacking her palms onto the table.
"I'm not trying to fix you Stella, I just want to understand you!" Lincoln argued, also standing up from his seat to look at the girl frowning at him.
"What else is there that you want to understand Lincoln, I love you, I love you so much, is that really not enough for you!?" She replied, tears started welling in her eyes.
"I... I'm not the person you think I am Stella, you are a beautiful girl, even I need to admit that, you don't need me, you can get someone better than me." Lincoln said with guilt in his voice.
"But I don't want someone better than you, I wanted you Lincoln, I've always wanted you." She desperately choked out.
"The rest of the gang said they would be fine with me dating you, I'm surprised at first but do you really think it would work? Do you really think I would find out about your feeling if you didn't tell me?" Lincoln asked as Stella went quiet for a bit.
"Listen Stella, I will never hate you, I don't think I have it in me to ever hate you." Lincoln admitted. "I just can't be more to you than just a friend, Shay needed me, and I probably need her more." He weakly smiled.
"That's the problem Lincoln, I don't want to be your friend." He almost jumped back when Stella leaned onto the table until he was sitting back on the chair with the girl on his lap. "I wanted to be more than that, I wanted to have what you and Shay have."
"You know I can't do that, it won't be fair to Shay, and I will never cheat on her." Lincoln said while avoiding her soft gaze staring directly at him, to seek for his weakness only to find none other than his love for the quiet girl.
"If she really loves you than she would do anything to make you happy, I don't even mind if I'm going to be second." Stella said while taking his right hand in hers.
"W-what are you talking about?" Lincoln confusedly asked, his own heart started beating faster against his chest in fear.
"I'm not going to get between you two Lincoln, I wanted to join you." She honestly said, shocking him even more with her resolve. "I... I don't even care if it wasn't going to be fair for me, I just wanted to have a chance of having you to love me like you love Shay, I wanted to have what both of you have." She whispered before placing his palm against the middle of her budding chest where her heartbeat was beating through the fabric of her shirt.
And in his hand, he could feel her aching heartbeat calling for him, her warmth spreading along every inch of his open palm. It was intoxicating and tentalizing at the same time with how much her heart was almost matching his own as if both of them were waiting in anticipation. And with her warm breath caressing his face, he could see the beautiful glint in her wet eyes staring fondly at him.
This... This was her last chance, she was putting all of her effort to get this out from the deepest part of herself. To get this feeling she hated so much out for him to explore. To reveal this ugly and pathetic side of her that she don't want anyone else to see but him. It was all for him.
And yet he still couldn't see it in himself to deserve her feelings. To know someone so close was hurting because of his own ignorance. But what was he even supposed to do to help her, what can he actually do for her.
Is there even a way for them to salvage their friendship from this mess, to get everything back to how they used to be. Does he even still want that knowing it would hurt her the most?
He... He don't know...
He honestly don't know...
...
At the hospital, Abigail lifted her head for a moment when the main door opened only to lower them back with a sigh to see an older couple coming in. She then looked at the clock on the screen of her work computer, seeing that it was almost reaching the end for visiting time before massaging her forehead in frustration.
What was she even doing right now? There is no reason for the white haired boy to come here anymore since the patient he had been taking care of was already discharged from the hospital earlier that day. Then why is she still waiting for him, or was it simply a stupid habit she had unconsciously developed during his visit.
Then, that would definitely be bothersome to get rid of.
"Good afternoon Miss Summers." At the familiar voice, the nurse almost jumped in shock before looking at the white haired boy standing Infront of her.
"L-Lincoln... You came?" She asked in confusion.
"Yeah, I thought it would be good to visit Alex one last time before she transferred." Lincoln explained. "I know it is getting late, but can I still see her?"
"S-sure." Abigail pushed the visitor's red card to him as the white haired boy simply nodded at her before walking away. There was something different about him. She don't know what it was but it's almost seemed like he was barely there when he was talking to her. That he was only trying to get the day over with while putting his exhaustion at bay. It was concerning to say the least.
...
"Hey Alex." Lincoln said while slowly getting into her room and closing the door behind him.
"Hey Lincoln." She greeted him as if nothing ever happened between them. That yesterday was just dream they both refused to acknowledge, and yet it was still as real as it can be.
"I didn't think you would come visit me today after what happened yesterday." She continued, hugging the pillow closer against her chest while sitting on her bed.
"Me neither, but I would probably regret it if I didn't see you before you leave." Lincoln sighed, taking an empty seat before sitting beside the bed.
"How did you know?" She weakly asked, slightly lowering her eyes in guilt for troubling him so much already with her demands when he was there.
"Shay's dad told me, I heard you're going to transfer into a different hospital for your treatment." He muttered out, his blank eyes staring at the floor, even being there with the girl he almost can't feel anything with how exhausted he was.
"Lincoln, are you alright, you look... Tired?" Alex worriedly asked.
"I'm fine Alex, just a little headache, nothing I can't handle." He faked a smile. "What about you, are you ready for the treatment?"
"I... I don't want to leave." The girl admitted. "I want to stay here with you." She added, her eyes averting his soft gaze.
"Well, I would also like you to be here." He honestly said. "But I also wanted you to get better first, then we can do whatever you wanted, I might even consider doing the illustration for your children's picture books."
"Really?" Alex asked in disbelief, her eyes brightened at the thought.
"Of course, you just need to worry of getting yourself better first, if I can I would probably come visit you there when I'm free." He assured her.
"Pfft, the hospital is far away from here Lincoln, I don't think you can come visit me anymore." She chuckled.
"Don't challenge me Alex, you don't know what I can do." He teased.
"Still, I hope we can see each other again Lincoln, I really hoped so." Alex choked out while holding in her sob.
"Hey, it's going to be alright Alex, of course we will meet again." He smiled at her. "Besides, you're not going to get rid of me that easily, you still owe me for that cookies."
"Right, thanks again for making them, they're delicious, I will definitely pay you back someday." Alex said.
"And please say I'm sorry for Shay for what I said to her, I... I don't really mean it." She looked away from him.
"She already forgave you Alex." He mentioned as the girl simply tightened her embrace against the pillow, barely holding her emotions back from making everything worse than it need to be.
She don't want their goodbye to be a sour memory for either of them.
"Lincoln, you will always remember me right?" Alex asked in a low voice.
"Yeah, I will never forget about you Alex" He replied as the girl smiled brightly at him.
"Good, you better keep that in mind."
[Alex Anderson's dating route is compromised, do you still wish to continue with this decision?]
[Warning, Alex Anderson's dating routes has been disconnected from the database]
...
Walking through the quiet hallway, Lincoln stopped at the front counter before placing the visitor's red card on the desk where Abigail was staring at him with concern in her eyes.
"Lincoln, are you alright?" She carefully asked, not wanting to be seen as a bother to the white haired boy with her question.
"I'm fine Miss Summer, I just had a long day today, that's all." He casually answered with a shrug.
"If you said so." Abigail paused for a moment in thought before finally sighing in defeat. "Listen kid, I just wanted to apologize for yesterday if I offended you, I shouldn't have doubted you that much when you're telling the truth." She genuinely admitted.
"You're not doing anything wrong Miss Summer, you're just doing your job and I can't blame you for that. I don't know how hard your job was and it would be foolish of me to be upset at you for that." Lincoln assured her.
"And thanks for taking care of me while I'm here Miss Summer, I really appreciate it." He added with a small smile.
"I guess this would be my last visit here, it's nice knowing you Miss Summer." The white haired boy honestly muttered out.
"It's... It's nice having you here too Lincoln." Abigail responded with a quiet sigh.
...
"Who are you?" Haiku seriously asked while glaring at the stranger standing Infront of him under the dark veil of the night.
"What are you talking about Haiku, it's me Lincoln, you should really stop coming out here in the middle of the night like this, you're making me worried you know." The white haired boy honestly said.
"Stop it." Haiku deeply scowled. "You're not Lincoln, what did you do to him?" She asked with caution in her voice.
"Staying out this late is not good for you Haiku, seriously, you should get some sleep and rest like everybody else." He said as if it was part of a recording.
"Lincoln... Just what happened to you?"
[Unique Skill: Mask of Deception (ON)]
[Due to the player current high level of stress condition, Unique Skill, Mask of Deception will be force into activation by the system to continue with the player's choices]
[The player will be replaced with the Automatic Parallel Program momentarily]
...
A/N: Sup, just a short author note...
Sogg1Dog: How should I say this, he is a single father who barely acknowledged his own daughter's existence before since he was always busy with his work. And he's also kind of out of the loop with how the fellow kids were doing these days. Honestly, he is an awkward man who was talking with his daughter's boyfriend in the only way he can, professionally from a doctor's perspective.
Lerans: Nah, that would be too op, it's just the sugar effects from the chocolate chip, think of it like a hot cup of coffee.
Aiman: Thanks for the concern, this is a full harem story, I will use everything I can.
Guest: Loudcest? What the hell is that. (Just joking of course) we are still far too early in to talk about that.
And I will also give most of my attention to this fic, so sorry if I can't update the rest of my fics as often.
Anyway, enjoy and leave a review if you wanted too.