When Love Across the Time

Kenny returned to sit beside me and smiled, "Why are you never satisfied with any girl?"

I was taken aback. I wanted to explain, but I couldn't find the words. After a few changes of expression, I opted to remain silent.

I didn't understand why. Whenever I saw those girls on their own, I thought they were perfectly fine. But the moment they appeared beside Kenny, I couldn't help but find fault. I used to attribute this to something like "fathers never approving of their sons-in-law." Now it didn't seem like the case.

Because I realized it wasn't just dissatisfaction I felt. I also felt a hint of anger. When I was younger, I didn't know where this unnamed emotion came from, but now that I was older, I understood. And as time passed, this feeling grew stronger.

That was jealousy, the manifestation of liking someone. It was like biting into an unripe fruit tinged with bitterness.

Realizing this, I had an answer deep down in my heart, yet I wasn't willing to admit it. I was not sure if it was due to the almost familial bond of many years or my confusion about this thing called love.

I was not sure of my feelings.

He noticed my continued silence and leaned closer, staring straight at me. Before I could react, his nose was almost touching mine. I quickly moved back, but he pulled me close by the waist.

I was wearing a light dress. His hand, warm with body heat, held my waist as he pulled me forward. My eyes bore into his, and his breath assailed my face.

"Since you're not satisfied with any of them, how about you take their place?" he said.

His words echoed in my ears as I went back to the dormitory. I almost fled, distinctly hearing the laughter of the guys beside him. As I ran, I glanced back at him.

Bathed in the sun, the young man was dazzling.

I was not sure what he meant and wondered if he was trying to get back at me. He had even learned to do such things. It couldn't possibly mean what I thought it meant. Maybe it was all my wishful thinking.

As I was lost in my thoughts, my roommates returned. They saw me in a daze and came over to ask me what had happened.

After thinking for a moment, I briefly recounted everything about Kenny and me from childhood until now, including what had just happened.

"Do you think he's planning to date someone and wants to practice with me?" I asked them.

That was absurd. But soon, my anger, which seemed to be exploited, was replaced by a sudden surge of sadness. I wondered what kind of girl he would be dating and if he would act like this to them too.

I couldn't help but feel gloomy.

My most experienced roommate in this aspect smiled knowingly, "Opal, stop struggling. You just like him."

I wanted to retort, but she continued, "Then let me ask you, could you accept him standing in front of you with another girl by his side?"

I froze, carefully considering this. I had imagined him appearing with a girl in front of me one day, smiling as he introduced her as his girlfriend.

But over the years, no matter which girl appeared by his side, I couldn't imagine myself in her place beside him. Just thinking about it made me restless. Then, I would scrutinize that person with the most critical eyes until I found one reason after another why she wasn't suitable for him.