For a moment, he felt his heart stop. He definitely heard it right. Looking at his friend, he must also have heard it right. But none of them believe if they heard it right.

- ...David, just now... - He tried to confirm with his friend in hopes it as just a delusion.

- ...There is no way he did it...right? - His friend said it wasn't possible, but even him wasn't sure.

Altho they wanted it to be a lie, there was no mistake: it was a confession. It was obvious who it was, but they didn't know his reasons for it. Just one thing was clear for both of them right now:

((That idiot!))

His confession was out of blue without any sort of base nor enough interactions between them to develop any deep feelings. He knew that very well and still chooses to confess. Why not shut up and leave peacefully, you idiot? Thought Chris.

She just arrived in a new place far away from her hometown and he already put her in this sort of situation, not one day after she came here. Not to mention they just meet. Didn't he learn there are a time and place for everything? Thought David.

((Seriously, what were you thinking, Max?))

But nothing would change what was already done or said. They were so close to getting out without any problems, and he just went and did that.

They needed to stop his friend before he continued further with this nonsense. Quickly arriving at the kitchen's door, Chris turned the doorknob and...the door didn't open. It was looked from the other side.

- Dammit.

- What we do now? - Anxious, David asked at his side.

The boy thought. It was the only access from inside the house to the kitchen. The other one was in the backyard but that would take too much time before they arrive. If he continued to insist with this confession, then they wouldn't know what happened.

- Hey, Max, are you there? - Knocking the door, Chris asked his friend.

- Just a sec, man. Kinda in the middle of something here. - Max answered loud enough for him to hear it.

- I just need to grab something real quick there. Could you please open it up?

But he didn't respond back. It was clear to Chris now, he wouldn't open the door until this ends. The kitchen had a lock that only works from the inside, so there was nothing he could do to stop him.

- Darn it, how could this happen?

He was prepared for any sort of interaction between the girl and his friends, but never would he imagine a confession to happen, even more during the little time he got out of the room.

- Actually, Chris...

[][][][][]

It began with Max asking David.

- Hey, David, are you thirsty?

- Well, not really to be--

- Man, I'm thirsty. I think I gonna grab something to drink in the kitchen.

Without a care to what his answer was, the glassed boy stood up from his seat and turned to the girl sitting in his front.

- Midna, could you help me get some drinks to everybody? Pretty sure everyone needs something to gulp down.

To his question, the girl pondered. Max looked nervous while waiting for her answer. He thought it was a bit weird how his friend was acting, but David never thought he was doing it with bad intents.

- Sure, I will help you out. - Thankfully for Max, the girl accepted his proposal and stood up.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

- Great! Then, let's go! - Taking the lead, he walked to the kitchen followed by the girl not shortly after.

- Like I was saying, I'm not really--

Ignoring David trying to finish his phrase, the two of them entered the kitchen, without any other person with them.

[][][][][]

And that was what David told Chris.

- I thought it was just another one of Max's things, but for it to be a confession...

They knew their friend would come up with some weird ideas without much thought or reason every now and then, altho this one was the weirdest he ever had done that they know about.

- There is nothing to be done now.

The kitchen was one of the best places outside the bedrooms to have privacy. Unless you shout or talk loud there, nobody would hear you. Putting his ear on the door, Chris tried to listen to what was going on in there. If he can't enter there, at least he could know what was happening.

It was difficult to listen through the door but amidst the hardness of the wood, some words could be heard and placed in phrases.

- ut...wh...

- s...hat it...is...

- Why...con...

- I can...feel it...you and I...som...connection...I'm sur...

- I'm sorry...an't understand what you sayi...

- I know, I know...fficult to me too...to believe...but I think you and I could work.

- I mean...Chris and I are--

- Yeah, there is that, but I don't think he would be mad at a friend for dating his cousin.

Word for word, the phrases started to make more sense. Lucky, altho Max was trying to convince the girl, the situation was at normal levels.

- I know it's too soon, but can you please give a thought before responding?

And then came silence. Chris couldn't see her, but the image of the girl trying her best to think of something appeared in his mind, making him feel a bit happy. Even in this situation, she didn't stop acting like they planned.

- Hey, what happened? - Curious to see why his friend smiled, David asked.

- Nothing much. It doesn't look like something awful is happening there. - Chris said.

- It's good then. - Hearing that made David relieved. - What are they talking about?

- Max just asked her to think of it, altho I think he will get rejected. - After listening to the girl's reaction, anyone would think of that.

- What else would it be? Asking her out like that.

He didn't know if his friend would be heartbroken or not, but for sure David would say some things for him to realize what he did wrong, after consoling him a little.

- ...Ok, I thought about it.

After a brief wait, the girl finally talked. Seen his friend becoming more concentrated, David waited silently at his side.

[][][][][]

It was troublesome for her to think of an answer. Any other option she had wouldn't fit for her objective. But then, there was one answer she could say it here that would lead to the best outcome possible.

- I'm sorry, but I can't accept it.

First, she was needed to say it clear what her intentions. Following the interactions she did with this person before, this would result in:

- ...I see...no, I understand. I know it was too soon, but I have no regrets.

Second, wait for it to finish its dialogue. Its reaction was predicted to be of sadness, but Chris wouldn't want them to be sad. Altho it would be good to finish here, she added another step.

- Yeah, I'm really sorry, but since I already have Chris, I can't accept it.

Third, explain why she couldn't accept it. It would understand her position, would smile and wish them good luck. A perfect interaction and response to not accept its confession. This person would be happy, Chris would be happy, and she would be happy.

It was supposed to be so, but...this person wasn't smiling. Rather, it was confused.

- I'm sorry, what?

And it even said a different dialogue than the one she anticipated. Did it not understand her? There were no problems in her voice, so it should have. But there was no worth trying to think of an explanation.

- ...I already have Chris...so I can't accept.

It was better just to repeat the same line for the person understand what she meant, but it didn't stop looking confused for some reason.

- Uh...I mean...you two are cousins...right?

Now it was making the same questions as before. She already answered it, so she couldn't understand why it was repeating them.

- Yes, why?

Still, she couldn't stop with the setting now. She was a person, a person that was Chris's cousin. That was her role.

- ...That means you two are from the same family...you know it, right?

Of course, it meant that. Chris already explained all of that to her before, so you should know that. It was a simple line of thought that any two codes could figure it out. Its stupid questions made the girl wonder how does this person work.

- Yes, that is correct.

This was taking longer then it should be. It didn't felt good at all to be near this person, rather she was starting to feel something twirling inside her, telling her to end this soon as possible. But the girl still kept her facade.

- Well...I don't know how they do it where you came from, but...

It couldn't even finish his lines properly. Now, the girl was sure of it: this person was bugged and needed to be rid of. Altho it was against what Chris said, this was for the better.

But when she was about to act--

- ...Members of the same family can't date, you know?

Something snapped inside of her.