No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

But I couldn't keep hiding forever.

The more awkward the situation, the less I could afford to hide.

I let go, and Dustin also pulled back the duvet, looking at my face, "Heard you were caught in the flood. Scared me half to death."

He was explaining why he came. I managed a wry smile, "What, did I make the evening news?"

In this age of the internet, even the smallest events get blasted online. Today's flood was massive, and yet people were filming instead of helping. "Yeah, looked like a drowned rat," Dustin said, raising his hand.

I instinctively moved aside, but he didn't show any embarrassment, just gave a light chuckle, "I just wanted to fix your hair. You looked terrified."

I didn't respond, and Dustin sat on the edge of the bed, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, got checked out."

"But you seem quite shaken up, even cried, huh?" My red-rimmed eyes didn't escape his notice.

I wasn't crying from fear, but his words eased

emotional intelligence has really skyrocketed lately, lying

otherwise

me at a loss, but Dustin just smiled, "Felicia, I know you've

up, I didn't pretend otherwise, "Yeah, it's become

I ruined the simple sibling-like bond we had. But then, I genuinely fell for you and felt it'd be a regret not to confess. Thought maybe you felt the same, that maybe if I spoke up, there'd

almost like a real one. You know, when Conrad used to bug me, I always ran to

that girl who depended on me. Realized it was my fault for scaring you off. So, can Dustin take back what he said? Pretend you never heard it, and let's be like before?" His request

spoken are like spilled water; they

feelings. From now on, I'm just your brother, nothing more," Dustin said, raising his

me feel small

him, a gesture we often used as kids. Whenever Conrad, Dustin, and would get into trouble and decide to keep it a secret, we'd bump fists

and bumped his fist against

now?" Conrad's voice came from the doorway,