Archive of Our Own ^beta

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At first, Gia hated Ruan and her silly little drawing, but she had gained feelings for her during their first year of high school.

The last bell had rung. It was a peaceful, sunny Valentine’s Day in Korea. Practically every girl Gia knew was either celebrating for Galentines or giving chocolate to the guys they like. She had her own chocolate to give, Tim Tam cookies that her dad had shipped to her while he was overseas in Australia. Since she had always been near Ruan everywhere she went, she overheard how much Ruan wanted to try the Tim Tams. Maybe… this was her chance to tell Ruan how much she likes her.

Just as Gia was about to leave the school building, the sound of footsteps running towards her in the halls interrupted her thought. “Hey, Gia!” It was Ruan’s best friend. Besides her short, black, poofy hair and tan skin, Gia still didn’t know a single thing about her, not even her name. “Do you wanna hang out with me and Ruan after school? We’re gonna go out for a Galentine’s.”

How could Gia say no?

“Sure, it’s not like I have anything better to do myself.”

“Okay,, thank you so much!! It’ll be so fun with the three of us! Let’s go upstairs together, my bag is in the classroom and Ruan is probably on the rooftop waiting for me. Can you go fetch her when we part?”

Gia agrees and the two girls walk upstairs together. It would have been the most awkward moment of Gia’s life if Ruan’s friend didn’t initiate small talk. They mainly talked about chocolate before Ruan’s friend dismissed herself to get her schoolbag. Gia continued walking up to the rooftop door and slowly opened it.

She couldn’t find the cute, auburn-haired girl on this side of the rooftop.
There was some talking on the other side, so she walked to the direction of the noise.

That blonde transferee from The States was standing in front of Ruan, while it looked like she was giving some pink, strawberry-flavored chocolates to him. Gia’s face was paralyzed with her normal expression, but deep inside, her heart stopped from the cold jealousy and hurt. Was it really what she was thinking?

Despite not wanting to, Gia came a little closer to spy on them.

“. . .”

“What was that?” the blonde-haired guy interrupted the silence. “I couldn’t hear you from that fast mumbling-gibbersh you were saying—“

“I like you! Do you finally hear me now?!” Ruan jokingly screamed at him.

A bittersweet melody played gently in Gia’s heart.

“That’s it?” he replied.

“…What?”

“There’s no ‘Can I be your Valentine?’ or something?”

“Caleb! Can you just be serious for once?!” Gia found Ruan’s cringey-sounding tone of voice adorable.

She had always secretly admired Ruan, even after that incident they had in kindergarten. Ruan isn’t just pretty and charming and smart, but she’s as gentle as a seraph’s lullaby. Her heart is made of the highest quality gold, and even after she pulled Gia’s hair in kindergarten, she had always tried to make small attempts to atone.

But now, it seemed like it was too late for that..

Caleb gently grabbed Ruan’s waist and pulled her in for a hug, which was then reciprocated.

“I like you a lot, too, Ruan. Since that day you bumped into me.”

Ruan let out a soft giggle, which Gia found adorable.

Caleb kissed her cheek. “We’re Valentines now, right?” he smiled softly.

Ruan smiled back. “Sure..” as they stood still like statues and gazed at each other awkwardly.

“OMG..! They’re so cute..!” Ruan’s best friend’s whisper scared Gia.

“Yeah, they really are..” That was the biggest lie Gia had ever told.

“It seems like only the two of us will go on Galentine’s date! If you’re still down for it, that is.”

Gia smiled, but her eyes didn’t. “Yeah, that’s fine.” She looked back at the new couple.

What was so special about that new transferee? How did he make Ruan fall for him so quickly? He’s barely been here for 3 months…

She knew she had no right to be jealous. She knew she had no right to feel this type if hurt. Ruan wasn’t hers, she’s Caleb’s.

The feeling started to get to her, and her expression changed slightly into a worried, yet a little annoyed look.

“Are you alright? You don’t look so well. Are you worried about RuRu and Caleb? Don’t worry, I’m pretty sure he’ll take good care of her.” Ruan’s friend said.

Gia grinned a worried smile back at her.

“He better, or I’ll break his bones.”

Ruan’s friend laughed at the statement, but Gia felt nothing inside. It was wrong to feel disappointed. If anything, Gia is supposed to feel happy for Ruan and her new boyfriend!

On her way downstairs with Ruan’s friend, she accepted the fact that there was no hope for Ruan to reciprocate the feelings. The small glances they had shared and those few words they had exchanged were nothing but hopeless interactions.

It hit her like a rock that she would have to find a way to get over it, but for now, she’ll focus on this Galentine’s date with someone she doesn’t really know.

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i’ll put the next chapter later when i have less hw💔🙏