After crying, we both wiped away our tears and even began to try to cheer Ariel up. She was moved by my story, which touched her deeply, and she cried as if she had had a similar childhood experience. She later cheered up, and we changed the subject.
Sarah even forgot why she had come dressed the way she was, due to hearing my story again. We didn't know that during our badminton game, when a sizable crowd gathered to watch us play, she was there, feeling jealous of Ariel. So she thought that dressing nicely might draw Cedric's attention away from Ariel, if he had fallen for her.
"It's ironic that Sarah, my best friend, had fallen for me, while Chris was in love with Sarah, though she was unaware of his feelings. If this truth came to the surface, I wondered, would we still be able to maintain our friendships?
Ariel, with her vibrant personality, skillfully shifted the mood from sadness to laughter. She knew just how to throw in a good remark to keep the conversation engaging. And so, she asked, 'Um, guys, I have a question. What kind of food would you eat on your first date?'"
There was a moment of silence as everyone pondered how to answer. I gave a warm smile and said, 'Well, as for me, let me be honest. I don't think I can be shy. I'd go for Mexican wraps. I mean, it must be juicy, so my hands would be a mess, or I'd opt for a burger.'
Peter looked at me, his eyes lit up with joy, and he couldn't hold himself back – he burst into laughter. His loud laugh echoed through the room and drew everyone's attention to us. He sprang to his feet, and pounced on the table so hard that the plates on the table shook creating a commotion like a mini earthquake.
He looked at me in disbelief, and placed his hands over his mouth. He glanced at me again and couldn't contain himself, laughing out loud. Everyone ended up laughing because of Peter's reactions and the way he laughed.
He then said, his voice deep and electrifying the air, 'Dude, that's embarrassing! You shouldn't do that!' They all looked at me, surprised, their eyes conveying a message that they weren't expecting such an answer from me.
Chris then said, 'Ah, as for me, guys, I think I won't eat. I'll just go for drinks to save myself from embarrassment.' 'What if my date dumps me straight after I've embarrassed myself?'
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Charlotte and Sarah nodded in agreement, and we all burst out laughing. Charlotte then said with a bright, shy smile, 'I think I won't eat anything that might make me look like a loser. I don't want my date to think I eat too much or feel embarrassed by the way I eat. So, I'll just have a milkshake."
The room fell silent, with all eyes on Charlotte in disbelief. No one wanted to be that open and vulnerable, but she had bravely aired out her thoughts, laying her insecurities bare for all to see."
The question, the laughter, and the jokes being cracked warmed my heart. For a moment, I was taken aback by the realization that I had people around me who genuinely cared and loved me. This moment was a relief to my soul, erasing the painful thoughts of my past that had resurfaced. I felt grateful for this sense of belonging.
Ariel's numerous questions transformed our mood, creating one of the most unforgettable life experiences. However, this newfound joy left Chris's heart in turmoil.
He had been daydreaming about Sarah, but Ariel's charming character, openness, love, and her social butterfly nature captivated him. Despite their short acquaintance, they seemed compatible. Now, Chris faced a difficult decision: should he pursue Sarah, his long-time crush, or Ariel, the captivating newcomer who had stolen his heart?
Chris's face became pale and I could sense that something was amiss. He abruptly stood up and walked away without a word. I quickly followed him just to check on him and find out what could be happening to him.
As we were outside, I stood beside him and gently tapped his shoulder, offering comfort and support. "Chris, what's wrong?" I asked softly, my voice filled with genuine concern.
"'I'm...I'm kind of confused, brother," Chris admitted, looking perplexed. "I haven't told you this, but I've had a crush on Sarah for ages. I've been too afraid to ask her out, worried that it might ruin our friendship." He paused, collecting his thoughts. "And now, with Ariel...I don't know, man. I feel like I've fallen for her just now. I know it sounds weird, but I think I really like her.'"
He looked at me with total confusion, leaving me speechless for a moment. Then, I spoke up in a gentle and reassuring tone, "Listen, it's just between us now. You have a crush on two amazing people. Take your time, decide who you truly want, and be bold, brother!"
"Remember how you encouraged me when I chickened out last time? Now it's your turn to be bold, okay?" He nodded his head in agreement, and we headed back inside, ready to face whatever came next.
After supper, we were notified that an evening session would commence in thirty minutes, and everyone was encouraged to prepare. With my friends' help, we quickly got ready and headed to the conference room, all set for the session.