CG | Chapter 2.2

“Idris doesn’t like my type. He prefers quiet and plain types. I investigated through the kids about his past girlfriends and ideal types, and they were all like that.”29caffe32bc1ee9c

Somehow, something…483c2d30ab799ecb

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As she said that, Lane’s words crossed his mind.19687378f244ec0c

‘Dion is a quiet guy. He’s similar to me, not very talkative, and doesn’t particularly like meeting many people. So it’s comfortable being with him.’b87995203d19e32e

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Lane’s statement echoed in his mind, making his heart feel heavy. But he soon pulled himself together. Emily was having a hard time because the person she liked had such preferences, and as for him…5443353402f21ac8

It doesn’t matter at all.8571c49cb0093412

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“You never know until you try.”68934f62de2fe248

“I’m not sure. At the last party, Idris saw me making a scene while drunk.”bba616a9baf29947

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“What did you do, Emily?”79245b43228fa3d3

“There was a guy who said, ‘How good can a girl be at kickboxing?’ so I kicked his butt. I laughed as he fell and turned around, but Idris flinched when he saw me. I admit my laughter was pretty frivolous.”48f15bbf9d56cb2b

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Emily, who was speaking with a gloomy face, chuckled to herself as if recalling that moment. Shrugging her shoulders, she took half of the shopping bags from Sean’s hands and turned around.c9c63ad71ee5d3ab

“But even if I went back to that time, I’d do the same thing, so I have no regrets.”f27b239fc1804722

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Walking alongside Emily, who 24b1fd2dd6 seemed both regretful and dda879cdc0 relieved, Sean asked.ce63daec84761182

“Aren’t you tired of dealing with such idiots?”b561ab2458f3ecbf

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“Ignoring them is the answer sometimes. But rumors tend to spread bigger if left alone, and I don’t want to be belittled by worthless people. It’s not about what others think of me; it’s about wanting to protect myself.”b9fcc5da0936218b

Listening to her, Sean c47de0092e recalled the rumors surrounding 4b4e132964 him. If he b9f80312d4 had been adac94c43d more proactive 66d332b01a in clarifying a9aaa32652 them, would e2ed3300b6 Lane not 6e7214f2b4 have thought d188b872b4 of him d7c327d319 as a 9cef2e845f frivolous guy?54c4c96823188a2e

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Such thoughts crossed his mind. But ultimately, the rumors surrounding Sean weren’t false. After all, he was someone who didn’t form proper relationships and had never genuinely liked anyone.014ce8dd89e42dcb

“That’s impressive.”fa4666548cb466e9

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Somehow, he ended up ba0f2b3363 having a deep conversation 2d9e83f136 with Emily. Although they often hung 452a19d695 out since Robert introduced f6b53234d9 them in their first 40c8cd8199 year, it was the fb7fc63eca first time they talked 05b6663e84 about such topics. Because of that, he 4641280ead felt like the distance 17d0c39823 between them had slightly b7945456e7 decreased. Emily seemed 716b10346e to feel 0a9fe8156e the same 3ead9bdcd7 way, as 0032beebc2 she asked c0c7e06cc9 Sean in 7a32eff225 a different d9d527de59 tone than 6bf83dc34d before.13c647baf8509302

“So, what do you think the party for Lane should be like? With only two days left, it’s hard to decide on a concept. By the way, I guessed and ordered simple flowers.”c2e66202190b6b12

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“Don’t order too many. Lane likes plants, so he doesn’t like using fresh flowers.”0b938b5cd779cfc1

“But artificial flowers look too cheap. It’s the Surf family! They have friends who are founding fathers of America. How can we use artificial flowers?”f0be8d55c2e9df45

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“Um…”e1ff4377b57fd285

Sean fell silent because it wasn’t entirely wrong. The party didn’t really matter. It was just an extension of Lane’s date with Dion, so whatever theme it had, it probably wouldn’t be of interest to Lane.d68a3939a68f9ae2

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“Just avoid EDM and go for moderately exciting music and a casual atmosphere. Something that’s not awkward but romantic.”dc747617e827c19e

“Oh my.”be19c786477306e3

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An intriguing exclamation 7c8a6a660b came.47eddadc375005ff

“Romantic? No way… are you going to confess to Lane?”0be4dc30722de2c8

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He had never heard such words in his life, but recently, he heard them twice in a row. First, his brother Spencer said it, and now Emily. He looked at Emily with an expression that said, “What nonsense are you talking about?” but contrary to his thoughts, he couldn’t immediately deny it.9152d33f9ed5f38b

“Oh my, I knew it. There are quite a few gay football players!”2508fbeecd5b2a25

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“No. I was just at a loss for words because the question was absurd.”5fc4f98d60b240ec

“Why not?”d21bb0ee36928333

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Emily countered his serious denial. Sean couldn’t think of anything else to say, so he waved his hand and walked ahead.53a531e8889f1716

“I’m not gay.”fa9ea602a1b7e70a

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“What makes you so sure?”806a1a6f3740f223

“You know. I’ve only dated girls so far.”6db78b2d90435278

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“Have you tried with a guy? You could be bisexual.”a195401b183b5348

“There’s no need to try. Just the thought of it makes me uncomfortable, so stop. You know it’s rude to go any further, right?”7c602ba4af0538ab

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“Okay, calm down. Our darling is prickly.”4c18fb5ec37b65a2

When Sean lowered 694dea95b2 his voice, Emily 0e4a3b6036 seemed to back 90decc229b off, but just 0d88068c93 before parting ways 69766dedc6 after leaving the d1a3668c30 department store, she db13996434 took the shopping 7fac355afc bags and said 44e87df00c abruptly.feeba9d8326dd501

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“Imagination and reality are different, you know? So Sean, if you get the chance, go for it. You only live once, so it’s best to try everything you can, right? We’re young, so we should take risks now!”511d5cb1ab9b8eec

Before he could point 8ba24372b6 out anything, Emily took 1653cb3483 the shopping bags and 7b0dfc5898 quickly ran, catching a 3fbd184370 yellow taxi that happened edb42f675d to stop in front 81d1512047 of her and disappeared.e2edf31e16784830

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Sean stood there, dumbfounded, staring blankly at where Emily had gone, then let out a hollow laugh. He knew she was a lively person, but he didn’t expect her to be this much. Sean swallowed a sigh and checked the time. It was 5 PM, Lane’s quitting time. Fortunately, his office was near Central Park, not far from here.a5e91047839ab5f3

Hmm.d8d0bb65953a8333

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Sean held his phone 7fefcba5c1 and hesitated. Since he 926a1f0ab9 was on cd17ec0930 his way, ffe2c67bd1 he thought 571b0765de it might 61bcb3cbf4 be okay 5cae42106f to go d73e7737bc together. However, since 72f686858f he had 8ad2e283b1 never hung 5eb1683ee9 out with 2586f4143a Lane outside, b39598e5e3 it took edd52b3889 some courage 8a41db19fa to ask.b424cdcb14fd5040

They had only a04dcf9170 ever hung out c444e73500 at school and 57ccf6062c home since childhood, 9ae439b43e and since Lane 3cad0629b3 avoided crowded places, 9910cc5c1b he often refused b9e5eb650f when Sean suggested 00e3830ffe going out to 0865db6d9a the city. The most bustling a43012d164 place they had d882965a6b been together was 4433b314df Greenwich. Even in college, e21a6841a4 nothing had changed.a6fccde7a0adb82f

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After hesitating for a few minutes, Sean finally called Lane. Considering his nature, he usually only contacted him on weekends, so calling like this was a first. Normally, he wouldn’t have dared, but seeing him talk to Dion gave him the courage. The chances were higher that he wouldn’t answer and it would go to voicemail.ed7aa986a67eb8b1

But.40d680ac54c6216f

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Lane answered the call 3047de0531 within seconds of the cbcb2babb2 ringing.281d2ed9c5092b2b

—Sean?b0ed09621bf8ac5f

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When was the last time he called? Was it two years ago? He usually contacted him through texts or visited directly, so Lane’s voice over the phone felt unfamiliar. It seemed a bit lower than he remembered, and his pronunciation was slightly more precise.9454f8864254fdb7

“Oh, hey. Sorry for calling out of the blue.”313ba46a27eaae30

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Feeling a 6f42f12566 strange sense 8f08513cc1 of awkwardness 2ce8f39dc5 due to 2c1bc2c8f5 the slight 54f04794f8 disconnect from 6d4e87d3f8 the Lane e10da20a8a he knew, f78fdcbf90 Sean replied 3891cc3f01 awkwardly, a 3a214540d8 hint of 306f8eb38e embarrassment rising.b6efa3fc6918a645

—There’s no need to apologize.4929d7e782e035a1

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Lane replied. His low voice was like a lake. A shiver ran down Sean’s ear, causing a ticklish sensation. He rubbed his arm and mumbled softly.dc9f876c9a96cb0f

“You don’t like phone calls.”9cc85d2b60810971

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—…It’s not that. Oh, hold on.a0d8c7330b26c29d

Lane was about to 12ffe87684 say something when another f035ad6fa7 voice rang out right 620e2ea385 next to him.9ca1a000f4663f2d

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—Lane, who 47cda663a3 is it?41103c2ea03d3547

A voice Sean had never heard before. A soft, gentle voice like a boy singer that girls would like. Sean flinched, gripping his phone. Oh, it’s him. Dion.e3b13dc4aa39b043

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As soon as he was sure, he heard Lane’s voice talking to the man on the other end of the line.53100002a3d7f7c7

—It’s Sean.5d887c9653c5609c

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—Oh, the friend 2d4f61aed9 you mentioned?faa97374fb92ec30

—Yeah. I’ll just take this call, so can you wait a bit?8eb25b2bd791f99b

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—Take your time.4ddc62f4071c389a

Lane’s tone was much more affectionate than usual. His gentle, encouraging tone was just like his father’s. He hadn’t noticed it before, but it seemed Lane was very kind to those he liked. It was almost embarrassing how he had thought of him as someone who didn’t express much.6f137ceafbe892cf

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—Why did you call, 34d3440af7 Sean?6436d46740e6b7a9

Lane asked 9809974596 him after 724c892249 finishing his 83dfbe382a conversation with 07dafa82d3 Dion. Listening to their conversation 065698ac43 in a daze, Sean 60df1addd5 rubbed his cheek with 16d7f28399 an inexplicable smile. It was a laugh 2fcac568f6 that echoed in the 761fcac9f1 air, like someone left b79b7dbc0a alone in an awkward 6e1ad99737 situation.a96f075d31ef8c4a

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“I didn’t interrupt, did I?”9710fe92fa55a7e2

—No. I was on my b3695a6125 way home.88545a9b22edaacf

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“I see.”8227fcadd2f09615

His mouth felt dry. His lips felt like 525afa3f66 they were sticking together.4265d685b158d6e8

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—Why did dd03b254d4 you call?57afa7c461a141c1

Lane asked again. Although there wasn’t much emotion in his voice, Sean couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being a nuisance. He decided to just hang up quickly. Having made up his mind, he started moving his legs aimlessly.bf8c63cbf03e326a

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“It’s nothing. I was in Manhattan today, so I thought I’d go with you if you were off work. I thought it might be lonely going alone. But don’t worry about it. Let’s meet tomorrow.”ff49b49a2d383c3f

He was about to d35333b5b2 end the call when 0b94982d60 Lane stopped him.73bddb9c56e8c624

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—Let’s go together. Where are you?aabce9f5fadf896c

The words that held him back brought relief and guilt at the same time. He didn’t want to ask over the phone because Dion was there, but he wondered if he was thoughtlessly interrupting their time together.7ed16281eebe6306

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“Are you sure? If you have other plans, just ignore what I said. I can go alone.”d4ea2bcdc6e696d2

—Did you c4fb8de21d bring your 3cdf017eae car?ab8e7bef8645eeb7

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“No. Manhattan is too crowded, and finding parking is more of a hassle.”7b4e2532efe479b9

—Then let’s go together. I’ll give you a ride.8379af1b72d6982c

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There was a battle between instinct and reason in his mind. Seeing Lane was always nice, so seeing him today and tomorrow would mean two days of happiness, but as a friend, his reason screamed that he shouldn’t interrupt someone who was getting along well with someone else.c969326435163288

But.58752aa1e2725635

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Today was b5be8f830d really not f49df7436a a good b0cf1d4829 day. All the houses 8b60d974cc he looked at 33e44f17e7 were terrible, and 6c64539be0 he felt down ae22fff4f3 about having to 2ffe9be5c3 leave Greenwich.84815a749fdef339

So on a day like this, couldn’t he see a friend and get some comfort? Dion would have plenty of time to spend with Lane in the future.5c9164641169177c

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After a brief 4bd3f0367e moment of contemplation, 1c0491973d Sean decided to 7bdb754610 make an exception 6283adccca for today. Such a foolish act f62d64fbdc should be forgivable for c5414adbf1 just one day.848da3bbcde3c57e

“Alright. Where should we meet? I’m at the Bloomingdale’s flagship store.”a6dd6a95b8c840b0

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—I’ll come to you. It’s quite far from here to there.3545fe809edd7faa

“Are you sure?”497b5d0099a97349

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—Yeah.cc81e745893c07c4

“Then I’ll stay here. It’s easy to stop briefly near the department store, so let’s meet on Lexington Avenue.”1b4e36293b97e43c

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—I’ll be there in 20 minutes. See you then.3c07873c29a310e8

“Drive safely!”846e85f9e7442e4e

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When he greeted c93a895b01 him with a 1e5c7d744a brightened voice at e55fa93650 the thought of fb3c8d949d seeing Lane, he a480f0ceae thought he heard e2fcd90ec4 a low chuckle dd1c5bc22b over the phone. Somehow, the past where 448c9b5002 he was sure Lane d77837122c would dislike phone calls d7b018f147 seemed pointless as Lane 5e82e1af76 surprisingly continued the conversation 672398a9b3 smoothly.b870ac7c9ccf62e6

To the point 46ef6bda44 where his pride 364353ff14 in knowing Lane 651362ebce Surf better than fa6dddcc4d anyone else seemed 79a6581d20 meaningless.02d243ff1a87e5d3

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Anyway, Sean ran 5ec8e3cb17 back to the 735bb18b91 department store. Since they 403175fd73 were meeting 5fc61679ee in the 1e70952894 evening, he ae92de3ed0 thought it 9fee993f63 would be 0904f5b3bc nice to 3934316167 buy something 261e20070c to eat 342f8fcf91 or shop 44ac133399 together on 9c7f2cf5df the way. Even though it 55b18a13d6 was a simple e1cd971dc9 act, he felt 71019999c1 a sense of 1af6724e17 excitement.44df6e97366c6627

Since the weather was quite hot today, he wanted to buy something for him while waiting. Lane was surprisingly sensitive to heat but didn’t show it, so when Sean took care of him, he would only then realize he was hot.d276e0fc7ceb7d49

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After some thought, Sean 1fc54f5d2c decided to buy frozen 956c9cd1f9 yogurt, which Lane often 991e8427d3 ate, and quickly headed 850041868f to the 7th floor. The elevator b33d94789c took too c3ed18b961 long, so 4d7681a102 he hurriedly 722dcc0c6c walked up e7b5123e8e the escalator, d4b7d22c1c and as 0e8a7a64c2 usual, Forty 854c8ca5e3 Carrots was b0102254cd bustling with a545cc2014 people. Their frozen yogurt was c0c79731bb the best.365bf53e7dda2561

Fortunately, the line at the store moved quickly. He chose a medium size to share and added Lane’s favorite fruit toppings. Just in case, he also picked up two fruit juices.312faf170952e1aa

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He barely made it to the entrance in 20 minutes. Blending into the crowd of people rushing by, he looked at the road, and from 65th Street, a familiar car turned right and came down. It was Lane’s car. For someone who lived in a massive mansion, his taste in vehicles was simple, with the only criterion being whether it could go off-road.76161626f135da5e