I went over to my childhood friend's place to retrieve something I'd left behind.

By accident, I overheard a conversation between him and another man.

"Stuck, damn it!"

"What should we do? Want me to help?"

"Sure, come on over!"

"Get lost. Just get stuck there."

I clamped my hand over my mouth, eyes wide as saucers.

The guy I had a crush on was gay!

1.

I stood frozen outside his room, reeling from what I'd overheard.

Who would have thought that the guy I'd been secretly pining for all these years was gay?

My heart sank as I processed the information. Even though it was an unrequited crush, it still stung.

I thought, "Well, if he's already with someone, I guess I should move on.

There's no use hanging on to a lost cause."

I turned to leave, wanting to give them their privacy.

Just as I was about to head out, the door swung open.

I turned around and saw a tall, striking man with a chiseled face and an icy demeanor walking out.

I thought to myself, "Damn, he's ridiculously good-looking.

Too bad he's gay too.

Why do all the handsome guys have to be taken these days?"

He glanced at me, hesitated, and then asked, "Looking for Charles?"

I nodded automatically but then quickly shook my head, suddenly unsure.

Seeing my indecision, he frowned and called out to the room, "Charles, someone's here to see you."

Before I could react, the door opened again, and Charles Xavier emerged in a cotton pajama set.

His hair was tousled as if he'd just rolled out of bed, and his pajamas were only half-buttoned.

Even so, he looked as handsome as ever, though his expression was less than thrilled.

I thought, "Maybe they didn't finish their... activities?

But why is this gorgeous guy coming out?"

Charles spotted me, and his face lit up with a smile. "Oh, Lillian? What's up? Miss me or something?"

He started walking toward me, and I instinctively took a few steps back, pressing against the wooden railing.

"Don't come too close," I said, trying to avoid catching any unwelcome scents.

I thought, "Besides, he is flirting with me while his crush is still around!"

2.

Charles halted at my words, confusion evident on his face. "Lillian, are you okay? Why are you acting like you're scared of me? Am I a creep?"

I thought, "If I catch a whiff of semen from you, it would be creepy!"

The stunning man who had come out first said, "Charles, you two go ahead and chat. I'll just go grab that for you."

Charles gave him a nod and a smirk. "Thanks, Laird, you're best!"

Laird Borden rolled his eyes, turned on his heel, and headed downstairs, leaving Charles and me in an awkward silence.

I wondered, "What's he going to fetch?

It can't be...

I don't even want to know.

My mind's already in the gutter."

Charles leaned in closer, studying my face with an amused look. "Hey, Lillian, you're making some pretty strange faces. What's going on in that head of yours?"

My face flushed uncontrollably, and I stammered, "Nothing, nothing! Just, uh, stay away from me."

I pushed him away, my mind momentarily drifting into a different scene.

Charles squinted at me, observing my behavior closely. "Lillian, something's definitely off. Wait a minute... are you actually into me?"

My eyes widened in shock, and before I could deny anything, I saw Laird walking back up the stairs.

I thought, "Oh no, he definitely heard that. Please don't let him think I'm some kind of third wheel!"

"Here."

Laird reached Charles and handed him a cylindrical object. I didn't dare to look closely, but it seemed like some sort of tube.

3.

"Hey, Lillian, why are you covering your eyes?!"

I was trying to adhere to the principle of seeing no evil, so I kept my eyes shut. But when Charles asked his question, I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

I thought, "Seriously, could you not be so open about everything?"

I said, "It's nothing. I just accidentally left the key to my room's drawer here when I was at your place. Have you seen it?"

I kept my eyes covered, not daring to look at them or the thing Charles was holding.

Despite his puzzled expression, Charles answered, "Yeah, I saw it. You and your forgetfulness—when are you going to fix that? I've put it away in my room. Come with me and I'll get it for you."

I quickly protested, "No, no need to go to all that trouble. Just bring it out to me."

Charles frowned deeply. "Lillian, have you hit your head or something?"

"Huh? What? No... not at all..."

I lowered my hand, looking at him in confusion. He laughed softly and said, "Then why does it seem like your brain's on the fritz?"

Seriously... whatever. I decided not to argue and focused on getting that key and getting out of there.

I was worried that if I stayed any longer, I might start tearing up.

"Come on, just get the key for me. My mom needs something from that drawer."

Mentioning my mom seemed to make Charles a bit more serious.

"Oh, your mom needs it, huh? Alright, I'll go find it for you."

Once Charles went inside, the hallway was left with just Laird and me.

An awkward silence settled between us.

I wondered, "What do I say to the current boyfriend of the guy I have a crush on?"

Before I could figure out what to say, Laird broke the silence with a cold expression. "Hi, I'm Laird Borden. I'm in the same class as Charles."

"Hi, I'm Lillian Quentin. I'm... Charles' neighbor."

As I spoke, I awkwardly shifted my weight from one foot to the other.

"Yeah, I know who you are. Charles mentioned you two are childhood friends."

I closed my eyes for a moment, thinking, "Seriously? Why does that sound like he's making a point of it? Is he jealous or something?"

I looked at Laird's face. He was completely composed, his expression neutral, like he was just making casual conversation.

Yet, I still feel so uneasy!

Finally, Charles emerged from his room, sliding into his slippers, and replaced the cylindrical object with a key.

"Here you go. And try not to be so forgetful next time, alright?"

Charles handed me the key with a stern look.

I took it, mumbling, "Got it."

He nodded, and the key was now in my hand.

I looked up at him and grinned, saying, "Next time, I can be forgetful again."

Without waiting for his reaction, I dashed down the stairs.

Once I was on the first floor, Charles poked his head out and, with a flustered grin, called after me, "Lillian, you're something else! Just wait!"

I stuck my tongue out playfully and left Charles' place without a second thought.

Back home, as I stared at the key in my hand, tears suddenly welled up.

I thought, "Charles is taken... my crush is really over..."

Why am I crying?

Didn't I promise myself that letting go of the old would make way for the new?"

I took a deep breath and held back my tears.

Then, I dialed my best friend from college, saying, "Hey, Jennifer, meet me at Moonlight Bar tonight."

"Hey, Lillian, what's up? Why the sudden invitation to the bar?"

Jennifer Minogue's voice came through the phone, filled with confusion and concern.

"Ugh, it's too complicated to explain over the phone. Let's just talk in person."

"Alright, see you tonight then."

"Yeah, see you tonight."

I ended the call with a sigh.

"Forget it, stop thinking about it."

Right now, I needed to focus on what was in that drawer.

I glanced at the key, inserted it into the lock, took a deep breath, and yanked open the drawer.

4.

I sighed as I looked at the pink envelope in my hand.

It was the love letter I'd written to Charles.

I'd been working on it for so long that I'd almost forgotten when exactly I'd first fallen for him.

Maybe it was back in senior year when I suddenly came down with acute gastroenteritis, and Charles insisted on taking me to the hospital, missing the math competition in the process.

Or perhaps it was during the school sports meet when I had a stomach ache, and he rushed to carry me to the infirmary without a second thought.

Then again, it could have been just a few days ago when I tripped, and he caught me, looking so worried as he asked if I was okay.

Whatever the reason, I couldn't help but think, "What's the point of teasing if you're not going to marry me?"

I remembered asking him once, "Charles, why are you so nice to me?"

He seemed taken aback for a moment before casually responding, "Huh? I'm nice to you? It's nothing special. We've been friends for over a decade, after all."

I thought, "But can there really be pure friendship between opposite sexes?

In our case, it certainly doesn't seem like it.

How could it be when I'm in love with him?"

I shook my head in resignation, considering tearing up the letter.

But for some unknown reason, I didn't. Instead, I tucked it away in a more hidden, less noticeable spot.

.....

"Lillian, I'm over here!"

As soon as I reached the bar, Jennifer's voice rang out.

I looked up to see her in a white dress, looking like a fresh-faced daisy, waving at me.

I jogged over. "Why are you still waiting by the door?"

"I was worried you wouldn't find me inside," Jennifer said with a sheepish smile.

"Seriously? You could've just texted or called me. You've been standing out here for ages. Come on, let's get inside. I'm treating tonight."

"I forgot, and it wasn't that long anyway."

I laughed and headed inside with her.

Since we hadn't reserved a table, Jennifer and I found a spot at the bar.

As soon as we sat down, I ordered a round of drinks and started drinking heavily.

Jennifer was taken aback by my sudden shift.

"Hey, Lillian, what's going on with you?"

I gulped down a large sip of my drink and said, "I'm heartbroken."

Her confusion grew. "Heartbroken? Since when were you in a relationship?"

"Ugh, unrequited love still counts as love, doesn't it?"

"Unrequited love? Who are you in love with? I didn't know... Oh! Is it that guy, your childhood friend?"

I took another big swig, tears welling up, and nodded.

"He's seeing someone else now?"

I nodded again.

"Well, that's rough, but it's not the end of the world. You can always find someone else. Besides, he'll eventually break up with this person, and you might still have a chance!"

At her words, tears streamed down my face as I shook my head, taking another drink.

"There's no chance. He... he likes guys. Unless I change my sex, he'll never like me. Woe is me..."

Jennifer's expression shifted to one of shock and confusion. "Wait, the person you're into is... gay?"

I nodded, crying.

Her face softened with sympathy as she wrapped her arms around me. "Oh, Lillian, you've had it rough. Just drink up, let it all out!"

Without hesitation, I clung to Jennifer, drinking and sobbing into her shoulder.

As I drank more, my vision grew hazy.

Suddenly, I noticed a familiar face across the bar.

I squinted, and sure enough, it was Laird.

But he was seated next to a stunning woman with rather prominent boobs, almost pushing them into Laird's face.

I blinked, wondering if I was just seeing things through my drunken haze.