Seasons pass with time, and heartbreak fails to cease. Over a year after being rejected, Alex faces several more throughout. Each one hurt far more than the last. . . until it didn't. She didn't understand. Was she numb to it? Accepted it?

I don't love you. I can't love you.

The constant repetition of his words began to mean nothing to her. The sting slowly leaving.

Perhaps in the future, I could learn to.

But it wasn't fair to her. He knew that, and she did too. She wasn't that oblivious to reality to believe his words. This happened with the last rejection he provided.

They didn't see each other for quite some time after that.

It's spring again. May.

Alex watches Garroth from afar, trying to make out what he was saying. His tells were obvious. Leaning forward into everything she says, the complete attention on her. He let her speak more, despite it being a casual conversation. He laughed and often smiled, craving her attention.

A swirl of jealousy boils within her. Jealousy, a familiar feeling, but not towards Aphmau.

"Please don't tell me you're falling for her too," Kandi scoffs, noticing the blonde female hiding in pure sight. "Every male a mile away can't seem to hold their head above water long enough to consume oxygen for their brain."

While exaggerated, truth remains evident in her words. Most men did gravitate towards Aphmau. Whether it was infatuation, love, or plain stupidity, Alex couldn't decipher.

"I assure you there is plenty of it within mine," Alex says, rolling her eyes. "No, I'm simply observing Garroth."

"Have you developed feelings for my brother? I'm hurt you've never told me."

"Yes, I'm helplessly in love with him. I've already planned the wedding and children's names." There's a scoff in Alex's voice. A year ago, Alex would've felt guilty for hiding her love away from Kandi. Now, the guilt has simmered. "No, don't be ridiculous. I just don't understand why he continues to chase after her even if she repeatedly rejects his advances. He's like a helpless puppy."

She was a fool. A hypocritical fool.

Kandi narrows her eyes at Alex, shooting a warning glare. Despite being true, that was still her brother. She wished for him to get over his feelings for Aphmau, but she understood it wasn't that easy.

"You should be more concerned about your own brother," Kandi says. "He's just as much a puppy as mine."

Distaste lingers in her mouth. Alex stares at Kandi, too stubborn to verbally admit she was right. She couldn't bring herself to state that Laurance and Garroth were too alike in that aspect in those exact words. "Cadenza and I get along perfectly well when it comes to that. We both want what's best for him. We want him to be happy. However, I don't think I'd be content to know that that happiness could reside with her. Perhaps Zvahls are unlucky when it comes to love but rather favor one that is unrequited."

"What are you talking about?" Kandi knew little about their love lives. Well, Laurance being the exception. Hayden was on his lonesome, running a village of his own. She knew that Cadenza was much of a flirt, but she was never one for commitment. She hadn't heard a single story about Alex being in love. Jokingly, she sometimes wondered if Alex understood the emotion. "I was only joking. What do you mean by this unrequited nonsense? Cadenza and yourself seem to be doing well."

Alex shakes her head. "I apologize. I simply become defensive over my brother."

"As do I, but I'm not going to sit in the bushes any longer watching him."

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Alex was just about as oblivious as a three-year-old. Oblivious to her own feelings. She was just as deniable regarding their noticing. Vylad had told her. Kandi had told her. Garroth was frankly too oblivious on his own to believe anyone could develop feelings towards him. Alex was too afraid to come to the conclusion she would like someone. The last time she did, it backfired. Or, maybe, she needed to be slapped silly.

It's early summer now. July, to be exact. The heat has started to increase drastically. Alex has deepened her relationship with Dante, as if it had been possible before. He was like another Kandi or Vylad, and he did enjoy gossip from time to time. However, he would never admit it.

Alex and Dante sit on the floor, the pond before them. She watches her toe wiggle around in the clear water. Dante sits crossed leg in front of him. "Have you heard about the rather. . . steamy situation with Garroth and Lady Aphmau?"

Alex's eyes widen, jealousy raging within her. "Shut up," she says, disbelief devouring her tone. "What situation? She has never shown a lick of interest in him like that!"

"For someone who denies having romantic feelings for Garroth, you sure do care a great deal about his romantic encounters."

Her mouth opens, bottom lip quivering with unsaid words. He had stumped her there, and she didn't know what to say. "I don't believe they're a good match is all. He deserves someone better. Like–like–"

"Like you?"

Alex's mouth shuts. Perhaps it took Dante to make her see clearly. She looks down at her feet, pulling her legs up against her chest. "No, not like me. . ."

He places his hand on her shoulder. Alex felt like he was truly slapping her at this moment. "I may not know many things, but I know a great deal about some topics. One, I lied about what's going on with Garroth and Lady Aphmau. It's the same. . . strange. . . relationship between them. Unrequited. He loves her, and she only sees him like a guard and friend." Another slap. "And two, you do have feelings for him. Why you won't accept this is beyond me. The look on your face is enough to tell me that you may have just realized this on your own."

Defeat.

"I don't wish to like him. Especially if he fancies another. What happens if I fall in love with him? I'd be in his shoes."

Dante only shrugs. The female begins to visually break down. A piece of him receives another dent. He's seen this far too many times before in the past. Gene. Laurance and Garroth. Now Alex. He wouldn't know what to do if this happened to him as well.

Instead, he pulls her to him, wrapping an arm around her waist. "This would've been a lot easier if we just liked each other," he tries to joke.

Alex doesn't laugh, but her cries begin to mute themselves. She sniffles, wiping the streaks away. "Yeah, a lot easier."