Because You Reject Other People's Pursuit? Never!

I passed off the ice cream I hadn't touched to Mia, my roommate, yet I still ended up with cramps.

I texted Ryan, "Ryan, my stomach's killing me."

After ten minutes with no reply from Ryan, my frustration made the cramps worse.

I clutched my phone and drifted off, only to be woken later by Mia.

"Kayla, I saw Ryan downstairs when I came in. He dropped these off for you."

A box of painkillers and a pack of brown sugar.

That snapped me awake. Checking my phone, it was already noon. Half an hour earlier, Ryan had texted—

"Get downstairs."

Man, in this heat? It was like ninety degrees out—had he really been waiting down there all this time?

I grabbed my clothes, wondering, "Is he still there?"

"He left after handing me the stuff. Ran into his junior."

My heart sank a bit, tinged with a twinge of jealousy.

"You mean that girl with the straight bangs and that annoying sweet talk?"

"Exactly, she's always tottering around like she'll snap in half. My boyfriend says she's super clingy with Ryan. Watch out for her."

That girl was like a bad penny.

Since Mia's boyfriend and Ryan are research mates, Mia had pretty much made her boyfriend my spy.

I called Ryan, and he picked up after three rings.

"Awake now?"

I played it up, "Oh, Ryan, you're so thoughtful! Knew I was snoozing and didn't want to wake me, huh?"

Ryan's response was cool and collected, "If it's bearable, skip the meds. Just sip some brown sugar water and rest up."

I pushed a little, "Why didn't you make the brown sugar water for me? You always used to. Boo-hoo, you've changed, you don't love me anymore..."

Laying it on thick, my heart skipped a beat.

We hardly ever tossed around the word "love".

Ryan kept his composure, "Cut the drama, or do you really need a scolding?"

That stung a bit.

Before I could continue, a sugary voice from his end chimed in, "Ryan, come have some cake with us!"

Every woman's intuition screamed—this chick was trouble.

As Ryan started to end the call, I blurted out in fake agony, "Ow, ow, my stomach suddenly hurts so bad, Ryan, please, take me to the hospital. I can't take it."

Worry crept into his voice, "I'm coming to get you. Have Mia help you downstairs. I'll be there in ten."

After hanging up, I leaped from my bunk, all smiles as I got ready.

Mia flashed a thumbs up, "Award-winning act, girl. Drama queens get their knights."

Me, dramatic?

Absolutely.

My twenty-second birthday was just around the corner.

Every year, I'd wait for Ryan to confess his feelings on my birthday, but he never did.

Will this year be any different? I wondered if Ryan had a surprise in store.

I once asked my mom what our undefined relationship with Ryan really was.

"Ryan's sharp, and let's be honest, you're not exactly his intellectual match. No shock he's not into you."

Thanks, Mom. Talk about a backhanded compliment.

Realizing her blunder, she quickly added,

"You don't really have feelings for Ryan, do you? That whole childhood betrothal was just me and Aunt Lucy messing around... Just take it slow, okay? Test the waters before you step in"

"How should I test the waters?"

My mom, always ready with advice, earnestly said,

"Want to see if a guy's into you? Be a bit of a pain and see if he indulges you."