"Why are you even going to the bar? You're still too young to be drinking," Alex protested firmly as he blocked the door.
"I don't care!" June snapped back, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions. "I just want to forget what I saw. Seeing Jason with another girl—smiling, touching her like I never existed—it hurt, Alex. And then for him to look me in the eye, say he never loved me, and dump me right there in front of her—like I was nothing! Like trash being thrown out after being used!"
Fresh tears started to stream down her face again. Her shoulders trembled as she tried to keep herself together, but her pain was too raw, too overwhelming.
"Hey, hey..." Alex stepped closer, his voice softening. "Don't cry, okay? You're not trash. You're not worthless. You deserve better, June. Much better."
June sniffled, wiping at her face with trembling hands.
Alex took a deep breath. "Listen... instead of going to the bar, how about I take you somewhere special? Somewhere you'll feel better. Trust me—you'll know when we get there."
She looked up at him, her tearful eyes searching his face. "Where?"
"Come with me," he simply said, extending his hand.
She hesitated for a moment, then slipped her hand into his, allowing him to gently pull her out of the house. They walked together under the moonlit sky to where Alex had parked his motorcycle.
He grabbed one of the helmets and carefully placed it on her head, adjusting the strap to make sure it was secure. "There. All good."
He hopped onto the bike and turned back to her. "Hop on."
June climbed on behind him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. Leaning close to his ear, she whispered teasingly, "You really do have a small waist."
Alex's face immediately flushed bright red. "W-will you stop teasing me or I won't take you anywhere."
"Okay, okay! Don't be so grumpy," she giggled.
With that, Alex started the engine and accelerated down the quiet road. The wind blew past them as the motorcycle picked up speed, reaching 180 kilometers per hour. June screamed behind him, though not from fear, but exhilaration. Her laughter mixed with the roaring wind as she held onto him tightly, enjoying the wild freedom of the ride.
Alex glanced back briefly, catching her wide smile in the reflection of his side mirror, and couldn't help but smile himself.
After a while, they reached the edge of a cliff overlooking the city. The glowing skyline twinkled like scattered diamonds beneath the starry night. June climbed off the bike and walked to the edge, mesmerized by the breathtaking view.
"Wow..." she whispered. "It's beautiful."
"You like it?" Alex asked softly, stepping up behind her.
"I love it." Her voice was almost breathless.
Without warning, Alex gently wrapped his arms around her from behind. She stiffened slightly in surprise, but before she could say anything, he softly placed a finger across her lips.
"If you say a word, I'll let go," he whispered teasingly.
June giggled quietly and leaned into his embrace, resting her hands over his.
They stood there in silence, savoring the moment, the cool breeze brushing against their skin, the quiet hum of the distant city filling the air. After some time, June spoke softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I think... I wouldn't mind getting hurt often if it meant seeing this side of you more. And... feeling cared for like this."
Alex gently moved her hair aside, revealing her pale neck. Lowering his head slightly, he rested his chin on her shoulder and whispered near her ear, "Don't tell me you still have a crush on me…"
June jolted, her face flushing bright red. "N-no way! That was a long time ago... I was young... we were just in middle school… You were the cutest boy back then and... I didn't know any better. But that's over now." She laughed awkwardly. "If you'd accepted me back then, maybe I wouldn't be heartbroken now."
That confession caught Alex off guard. His smile faded for a brief moment. After a short pause, he lowered his head and said softly, "June... You know I care about you. I'd do anything for you. But I can't love you the way you want me to... I'm sorry."
His voice trailed off into the wind. He looked down, avoiding her gaze, almost like a puppy being scolded. His ears metaphorically drooped, and his vulnerability made him look almost adorable.
June stared at him, her heart squeezing unexpectedly at the sight. She couldn't help but reach out and pat his head, saying in a comforting tone, "There, there... my little cute puppy."
Alex's face immediately turned crimson. He snapped his head up, flustered. "D-don't call me that! I'm not a puppy!"
He quickly grabbed her hand, pulling it off his head, but his embarrassment only made her laugh even harder.
"I swear... I'll show you who's a puppy!" he declared, playfully lunging at her and ruffling her neatly styled hair until it was a complete mess.
June squealed and began chasing him, determined to take revenge. The two ran around the grassy cliff, laughing and yelling, their earlier sadness forgotten in the thrill of the playful chase.
Finally, as she lunged forward, she grabbed his arm, but Alex lost his balance. They stumbled together, falling onto the soft grass, with June landing on top of him.
Their eyes locked.
Time seemed to stop as the stars reflected brightly in Alex's deep eyes, mirroring the night sky above them. For a few brief seconds, June felt herself getting lost in those eyes, her heart pounding uncontrollably.
Alex cleared his throat awkwardly, breaking the silence. "I-it's getting late. And we've got school tomorrow... we should go back."
The moment shattered like fragile glass. June quickly scrambled off him, mentally cursing herself. Stupid. Stupid. Don't fall for him again.
"Hey, are you okay?" Alex asked gently, sitting up beside her.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine," June replied, doing her best to hide her flustered face.
Without another word, Alex handed her the helmet again and started the bike. She climbed on behind him, her arms instinctively wrapping around his waist once more.
As they rode back, June stared into the distance, lost in thought. The image of her lying on top of him replayed in her mind again and again.
A tear rolled down her cheek as she whispered in her heart, I wish you could see me the way I see you... and love me the way I love you.