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.”a3ad5a393a5d2da2

Somehow, something…94c277edc49a0cee

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As she said that, Lane’s words crossed his mind.4c64b1f5069201a0

‘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.’13768d46cfb918c1

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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…dce9512b6864fc86

It doesn’t matter at all.6753f2eca8dd6987

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“You never know until you try.”af5ca40e3975c952

“I’m not sure. At the last party, Idris saw me making a scene while drunk.”0457d7b9cc23e961

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“What did you do, Emily?”67cb2e89d1f3bff9

“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.”dc22292a64e26ad2

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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.546da85afa6d6eb7

“But even if I went back to that time, I’d do the same thing, so I have no regrets.”4c7a9902c12f084b

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Walking alongside Emily, b5e41b5e97 who seemed both 694a2cec2e regretful and relieved, 6f7178c743 Sean asked.6782b39a1f46f664

“Aren’t you tired of dealing with such idiots?”27fa71940782a2fa

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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.”1c61d31a6fb2959b

Listening to her, Sean a5a869d904 recalled the rumors surrounding 76d6dda0a6 him. If he 5b3e34ddff had been f66558d6d7 more proactive e61f985bba in clarifying 5604b46a72 them, would 7d9f6605f3 Lane not 67a82d5b7f have thought 07f9a2ea31 of him 14b288f0b0 as a 52ae8eff93 frivolous guy?ee86cbdc36e34b33

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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.42dbca41d2c207ac

“That’s impressive.”c275405a5aff6be9

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Somehow, he ended 6d50a5b1d4 up having a b53363275a deep conversation with a363d1bdec Emily. Although they often e7e38eb6bc hung out since ca61e03aed Robert introduced them 6f36ea472a in their first e7fd957548 year, it was 81966bce3f the first time e72af25081 they talked about 7fe73a23a6 such topics. Because of that, he c28e849f31 felt like the distance 52953a1fdf between them had slightly 492f288002 decreased. Emily seemed to feel d589d53e92 the same way, as e90e3942e6 she asked Sean in beae65469e a different tone than 80ad3d55b0 before.25463329015a4e9c

“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.”24106adc05236c20

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“Don’t order too many. Lane likes plants, so he doesn’t like using fresh flowers.”b68f980246ec8504

“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?”754a8ca69648cc0c

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“Um…”4cec27b885f39b10

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.58539381187670b5

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“Just avoid EDM and go for moderately exciting music and a casual atmosphere. Something that’s not awkward but romantic.”77cd171a77c6fac3

“Oh my.”8bf00c716b12f1f0

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An intriguing 76db0c893b exclamation came.83fdb999eed6e8bd

“Romantic? No way… are you going to confess to Lane?”d5b701f8716e7f7c

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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.cd7653d4c930d022

“Oh my, I knew it. There are quite a few gay football players!”f2301445de2cb34b

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“No. I was just at a loss for words because the question was absurd.”b9958dff922df29d

“Why not?”fdb27680cf1c69d8

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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.a972dbf74c6bea00

“I’m not gay.”f777f3297800e80a

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“What makes you so sure?”5e6f93d6643cc931

“You know. I’ve only dated girls so far.”b66ab92376832bbf

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“Have you tried with a guy? You could be bisexual.”ba66d500c3f4b389

“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?”3d9e74b639d9a556

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“Okay, calm down. Our darling is prickly.”f8a708292cf9a2dd

When Sean lowered his dd420cf0a3 voice, Emily seemed to 6eba898ae1 back off, but just 9ab88d0418 before parting ways after 10c9308999 leaving the department store, 86465f6384 she took the shopping 0c4842025c bags and said abruptly.1cf6076e2b129c45

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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!”9e1ba22c170adf11

Before he 537800537e could point 79998be91e out anything, 3f0d050530 Emily took f7c0474a9e the shopping 31978cd73f bags and 0c90bb1867 quickly ran, 41fd36f83e catching a f4826768a7 yellow taxi 95ddf6bbb6 that happened f5b4b34442 to stop 42bebb5c6b in front 1633cb79a4 of her 72e95d2435 and disappeared.8cbe71e9f6c15ea2

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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.fbcfec4acc5f5471

Hmm.11c3b3724ef765f8

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Sean held his b3b9559bfb phone and hesitated. Since he was on 3f9f2ab5af his way, he thought 161e3dcc9e it might be okay b5faf6ea35 to go together. However, since he had 6123d36864 never hung out with 2cc58d02f6 Lane outside, it took 8a9f4b6daf some courage to ask.3b519e589e360fc0

They had 99bbfc3027 only ever 8a4d7bef12 hung out 3b9549ade8 at school 39d9c14a32 and home 3d1d50b486 since childhood, 9c429eefe5 and since 09df478cc6 Lane avoided df021a4a60 crowded places, 8fa1afb8c3 he often 934ab8a96c refused when 393a075a20 Sean suggested 94fc5736df going out 5e74d8b3de to the 9dc2c5eb00 city. The most bustling 3c9129121c place they had 44f765e504 been together was 54d4db555d Greenwich. Even in d5479bfbcb college, nothing 5e29478fdd had changed.08f30a71d2236853

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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.f0b8e050afc58ad1

But.47205292acb213ea

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Lane answered 198e1c9302 the call d4be200561 within seconds eef0b1b0bb of the e7d54e81fc ringing.3413d403b77eee25

—Sean?8a9849049ba70419

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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.b3824ecbbc630f72

“Oh, hey. Sorry for calling out of the blue.”4f39ceb5b638fe41

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Feeling a strange sense d08807e528 of awkwardness due to 936db9120d the slight disconnect from 46fee106a3 the Lane he knew, a01ddd19bc Sean replied awkwardly, a ed04240d95 hint of embarrassment rising.442105c9368735bd

—There’s no need to apologize.e0b521e547a19ec2

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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.24345ea064fabe7d

“You don’t like phone calls.”93a8d2126b1250cc

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—…It’s not that. Oh, hold on.0aa8784ec45cb676

Lane was about to ec67e585b9 say something when another 8a65f0ae9c voice rang out right 488fe34a63 next to him.71ad1c6ad8b17477

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—Lane, who is it?708e2a9509d4d79d

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.b255671c67d982cb

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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.cb883ddeaf12c60b

—It’s Sean.983ad20c957a16cd

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—Oh, the friend you 2551b991c6 mentioned?12de5e90228c67ba

—Yeah. I’ll just take this call, so can you wait a bit?2d037fae1cfd73cc

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—Take your time.a2f5047268c9a1a1

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.d8a097d13100ae1c

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—Why did a13dc8d265 you call, d98a794f40 Sean?d5038497df403da4

Lane asked him 1ae3b9dd43 after finishing his 9c2399b84f conversation with Dion. Listening to their 1fee2a81e9 conversation in a cef0c22687 daze, Sean rubbed a756a590ec his cheek with f5ac4ee18c an inexplicable smile. It was a 4d081ef53a laugh that echoed 894699998b in the air, d5761ebea1 like someone left 4e6aceaab0 alone in an 602c75174a awkward situation.0d3a5b31fe853da7

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“I didn’t interrupt, did I?”a18ae83618871fa0

—No. I was on my edb2dc7839 way home.55dc4e432a75f7b4

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“I see.”1192719a6805c200

His mouth 6ce0932ac1 felt dry. His lips felt e74ef6593a like they were 62501a0c6e sticking together.6c745ce1ab46d133

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—Why did 3418c45175 you call?0ba5fe72ee4b3a2b

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.44fe7f1877db287e

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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.”1cd947dd85b4b667

He was about to 987e38e0ba end the call when 175883f397 Lane stopped him.1a2410df00c403a8

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—Let’s go together. Where are you?9156ff4f7cdf1383

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.752a525f54ed820f

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“Are you sure? If you have other plans, just ignore what I said. I can go alone.”13991a921fdef8b3

—Did you bring your e6943aaf6b car?de49b1bbf379967b

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“No. Manhattan is too crowded, and finding parking is more of a hassle.”f1f6a2d82ac08fe6

—Then let’s go together. I’ll give you a ride.a1ee97c325a8953d

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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.033d89e15277aefc

But.5482a60e9a2cb042

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Today was really not e063894048 a good day. All the houses da9b87c815 he looked at 390fb6e414 were terrible, and 7f06fca8cf he felt down b4d7b88921 about having to 6778b650c2 leave Greenwich.3bc6450cb90c6d9b

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.9f96b5aa73b39b08

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After a brief moment 94a295186a of contemplation, Sean decided 8f0e6626dc to make an exception 662af71c50 for today. Such a ac22dd7bf4 foolish act dc7f82b5b8 should be 3b70422638 forgivable for 298f20dde3 just one 77f4597715 day.59d9e79cd3ed3436

“Alright. Where should we meet? I’m at the Bloomingdale’s flagship store.”d63ddf42fcffc9c3

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—I’ll come to you. It’s quite far from here to there.4285a0a73e4fc5a9

“Are you sure?”d725f8da7831af20

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—Yeah.8f6694cad87e121f

“Then I’ll stay here. It’s easy to stop briefly near the department store, so let’s meet on Lexington Avenue.”bafe748d1fafbb03

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—I’ll be there in 20 minutes. See you then.249e78f001751e5c

“Drive safely!”93cad5f3651aa89f

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When he greeted 35bb531fee him with a fc8f822c09 brightened voice at df72c1643b the thought of cd9c7df45f seeing Lane, he 935c71a049 thought he heard 1390e26ee9 a low chuckle 827bd72669 over the phone. Somehow, the past a35d7339bf where he was 38c5eedf0c sure Lane would 9d3f362249 dislike phone calls 1ca6de39e7 seemed pointless as fa0f5b2131 Lane surprisingly continued c52bb3d37d the conversation smoothly.5a71e62840bc3e03

To the b153f635d9 point where 08664bc7d3 his pride 34d7a4c585 in knowing dec31b6fe5 Lane Surf 9187d89e52 better than b8bc48fbf6 anyone else 5f04419404 seemed meaningless.57522d59d434a1d6

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Anyway, Sean ran back ee6a65a7f0 to the department store. Since they 9bb57cb1fc were meeting ac06243db0 in the 00ce6a6cec evening, he 9fb9b1912c thought it 82d7ebbbc3 would be d5a5822d24 nice to bf1f986b0c buy something c8edeacc75 to eat bce3020fee or shop e10b63f6ac together on 45aa128631 the way. Even though a4ddeb5a7d it was c0d7ea86cc a simple 29e49283d0 act, he abd0f8fcc8 felt a 4993d67b72 sense of 9601945bca excitement.f2e839892cbadee8

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.8e97cb47fc543b0d

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After some thought, Sean a743dbffa9 decided to buy frozen a01b01f619 yogurt, which Lane often c2bace7120 ate, and quickly headed fa86cab16d to the 7th floor. The elevator took too 3cc168fb94 long, so he hurriedly 04f77e71f2 walked up the escalator, 1bc38c982c and as usual, Forty 0cd9745c02 Carrots was bustling with b0acf9fa0a people. Their frozen yogurt 3d2b72924a was the best.3638e72da1e4fd20

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.8c87bd754b0cd7a8

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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.ecdf861e546671e3