You have a nice smile, Ciel. His words continuously repeat in my head while I’m studying, eating, washing the dishes, and even taking a bath. It’s not that I never received a compliment before, but hearing it from someone I like is different. It’s like a drug that you keep on taking to feel alive.

“Wow, you are in a good mood today”

Cloud remarks as I hum while walking to my room. I stop and happily run towards him.

“I like someone”

He laughs. In terms of relationships, Cloud has more experience than I do. He used to date this nerd back in our old town. He pats my head.

“You like Simon”

My eyes widen, “How did you---“

He cuts me off and laughs. “Mom saw you guys walking together. She said you were blushing the whole time.”

I hold my cheeks, they are still warm until now. I guess I am that obvious.

“So, what do I do?”

He lays down on his bed. “Do you want him to date you?”

I nod instantly. I don’t care if I’m asking for advice from my younger brother. I need to know what I should do.

He smirks, “be feminine”

Since I grew up with boys and my mom was with my dad most of the time, I didn’t know how to dress or even act like a girl. I struggled wearing dresses and heels. Most of the time, I wear tight jeans, cropped top, and rubber shoes.

But Cloud has a point. No man will like a boyish woman. I need to step up my game if I want Simon to notice me.

“Just when I thought I knew you after yesterday, you surprised me, new girl” Claire comments when I arrive wearing a pink dress and doll shoes.

I lightly smile. To be honest, this outfit is so uncomfortable but true to Cloud’s advice, more guys are looking to my direction. But I don’t want their attention, I want Simon’s.

“What do you think?”

Claire asks Matthew who is looking at me. He is just starring at me until Claire laughs.

“See? You even got Matthew the Great’s attention!”

This is making me feel awkward. I just start walking, leaving my “new friends” by the corridors. I just want to finish this day and walk home with Simon.

During lunch break, I am about to escape the looks of these boys when Matthew shows up.

“So yesterday, I looked for you since I promised you that I’ll tour you around, remember? But after class, you just disappeared.”

I nod, I forgot about him because of Mel. I am about to respond when Mel and another student approaches us.

“Ciel! We need your help.”

Matthew looks at me in surprise while I bite my lip. Mel is now with a client. I can’t skip this since clients are my priority, but I feel bad for Matthew. I look at Matthew then back to Mel and her friend.

“We can do it tomorrow, if you’re busy”

Matthew suddenly says. Now I feel really bad. I need to think of a way to make it up to him. I hold his hand, surprising him and Mel.

“I will clear my schedule for you”

Then the students around us started cheering for a reason I don’t understand. Matthew laughs and nods. When he leaves, the students started mumbling to each other while I turn to my clients.

“I didn’t know you have a thing for Matthew”

Mel comments as we walk to the gym. I laugh and shake my head.

“No, it’s nothing like that. I just promised him something and I feel bad for rescheduling it again.”

The two ladies nod, as if saying they believe me when they really don’t. But I don’t mind, I don’t need to explain myself to everybody besides Matthew knows the truth and that’s what matters right now.

“So, what’s the problem?”

I ask Mel’s friend once we reach the gym. We sit by the benches and good thing no one is practicing ball to disturb us.

“My boyfriend and I broke up. We were 3 years together and he decided that it’s no longer working after he caught me cheating 3 times I think. I wanted to fix us because I love him and I can’t just move on from a 3-year relationship. I want him back. But he started dating this girl and I don’t know what to do.”

For the first time, I am speechless. Not because the issue is complicated, but rather, I don’t know what to say. I’ve never had an ex, I don’t consider Kaleb as one.

Jane, Mel’s friend, looks like she really wants her man to be back. Mel sighs.

“I’m not really good at advice so I told her to go to you.”

I nod in understanding. I get the idea, it is clear and I think I understand both sides. I just need to put myself in her shoes and the shoes of her ex. What is the right decision? What is going to benefit both of us?

I hold Jane’s hand, surprising her. What’s up with people being surprised with this action? This town is weird.

“I think I know what you should do.”

Jane looks down and tightens her grip on me. I smile. I suddenly remember Eun and his ex, my first ever case.

“Every person we meet has a purpose in our lives. Some come to stay while others come to teach us a lesson. While, I don’t know your history with your ex, we can say that his purpose is to teach you something. Going through a break up is not easy. There are people who need days, months, or even years to forget someone and that’s not wrong.”

Mel nods in agreement. Jane then starts to cry. I pat her shoulder and continue my advice.

“But remember this, when you really love someone, you let them go. You let them be happy with whoever makes them happy, even if it’s no longer with you.”