CRY
BABY

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| All this happened, more or less. |

【THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW 】

Johnny couldn't help but feel anxious as he thinks how ridiculous this plan is. First of all, Candice doesn't have any clue that both of them are going to confess to her. What if she chooses Tommaso because he told her the place?

The young man stared at his message, it's so unclear. But he keeps it that way for Candice to think, and there's only one place they keep hanging out when they were first years. It's his favorite place, so Candice should've known, right? Right?

He groaned when he remembered that he left his bag in the classroom, he's so absentminded lately. Johnny stood up and ran towards their classroom.

-

Tommaso's sitting on the table, waiting patiently for her to arrive.

He sighed as he remembered their conversations together. Will he have a chance? Chance to be together with her?

With just one smile, she takes his breath away. Her effect towards the young man was unbelievably strong. He was surprised when the door suddenly opened, revealing the person whom he didn't think would come.

-

"There it is!" Johnny uttered as he immediately took his bag and went back to the place.

As he opened up the door, he sighed in relief when no one's there yet.

"Hey!" Or so he thought.

He slowly glances at the woman he never thought he would see here.

【JOHNNY GARGANO's POINT OF VIEW 】

"Johnny!"

"Aww, you're finally looking at me."

"I think you should smile more, it suits you."

"Candice LeRae, what the hell is this? Zero? At your test paper?!"

"Can you teach me, Johnny? I just don't get math."

"With you here, I think you pushed everyone forward."

"Really? I'm glad my efforts have been awarded."

"I'll support you with everything I've got!"

"Live life with no regrets!"

Why? Why are you here?

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Johnny," Candice added making me rubbed my eyes.

Am I hallucinating now? Is this the consequence of sleeping late at night?

"What are you doing?" Candice asked loudly making me stared at her.

She's real!

"How come you found me?"

"Duh! Sending me a message to meet up with that place. I was so confused at first but then I remembered where it was," She stated making my ears hot.

"Johnny loves to read books so the only place he's tellin' me is the library." She proudly stated making me fondly smile at her.

She won't forget.

Why me though? I knew Tommaso's feelings for her is real. My feelings are real as well but how come she chooses me over him? That's Tommaso Ciampa.

"I wonder if Tommaso's alright," I blurted out making her stared at me.

"You knew this? You're playing pranks at me? And I can't believe you dragged Tommaso into this!" She really never stopped talking, one thing I like with Candice LeRae. You will never get bored talking to her.

"I didn't drag him into this," I confessed.

"Then what's this? Hide-and-seek? Grow up Johnny, we're already nineteen." She scolded making me chuckle.

She thinks this is a hide and seek games.

"Did Tommaso told you where he was?" I asked.

"The old school building. That was the first time Tommaso and I met, oh yeah! we've been together for three years. So nostalgic!"

Tommaso Ciampa, you cheater. But then again, Candice found me in a place I never mentioned.

"How come you're here? Tommaso told you where he's located so why bother looking for me?" At this point, I knew what's going with Candice's mind. Maybe, I just wanted to hear it.

But she didn't say a word and turned around, "Just an intuition that you're here. You're a book nerd so...I just guess it right..."

"Candice..."

"Hmm?" She turned around as she faces me.

"I..."

But with that, Candice immediately run. Ugh! What now? Do you think I'll lose to you when it comes to running, Candice?

"Oh, Johnny," Adam called out.

"What do you want?" I growled.

"I saw Candice went in that direction." He uttered and I quirked my brow at him.

What now?

"I'm not joking, I don't like you to be honest. But I treat Candice as my friend, so go." He admitted and for that, I went after her.

Candice!

Where the hell are you?

Why are you running away from me?

You were the one who told me multiple times to live life with no regrets.

So, I will take the risk. This is do or die.

It's either you accept me or not, it doesn't matter. As long as I can convey these feelings for you.

"AH! WAIT! CANDICE!" I yelled after I spotted her in the parking lot.

She's about to run again when I went after her, oh.

"OH," I yelped in pain hugging my knee.

It hurts.

【CANDICE LERAE's POINT OF VIEW 】

"Johnny! Are you alright?" I immediately bend down but he grabbed my foot.

"You're so naive, Candice. Why were you running away from me?!" He growled making me scared.

This is it. Those lines... Johnny's about to confess to me at that time in the library, right?

"I was in a hurry," I reasoned out making him scowled.

"You're not."

"Sorry..."

"You know, we've been together since we're kids. I think I can read your mind but at this moment, I don't. I don't know...I'm sorry for being selfish. I only thought about my feelings, I didn't even consider that you didn't feel the same way."

That caught my attention. I thought he can read me like a book? Or maybe my action earlier made him thought that, well quite frankly it can cause a misunderstanding.

"Meeting you was not a plan of my life, hanging out with someone as an amazing and talented woman didn't cross my mind and yet here we are. Friends always side by side, through hardships and success. You never leave me behind, without you, I think I would have collapsed then." He slowly speaks up what's on his mind.

"What are you saying?" I asked, felt the tears rolled on my face.

"You know, back then. I'm such a weak and pathetic person but you always...always pushes me forward. I think I would be the happiest person if you would stand next to me, Candice."

"It makes me calm and relieved if you're my support and I'll support you as well. If you don't want it, it's fine. I just want to tell you this so I won't regret it later."

"Your feelings...tell me about it," He asked, waiting for an answer.

It's just a yes or no. One answer can cost everything.

It's always been like this, Johnny's one step ahead of me.

He's the man who cheered me up in my hardest time, gifting me a spectacular show on my birthday, never cease to amaze me, taught me in math despite being dumb at it, spoiled me with foods, he's always been there to support me.

"I like you. I've always like you." I uttered making him shocked but smiles fondly at me.

Wiping my tears with his hands as I can't stop crying.

"You're such a crybaby, Candice," He teases as he gives me a warm hug.

end of chapter sixty-eight

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