Days passed, and I felt an unsettling quiet hanging in the air. It was so silent, so monotonous, that deep down I sensed it was the calm before a storm.
Something was wrong…
Everything between Felix and me was going surprisingly well. His change was visible, and for the first time in a long while, I felt truly happy. I hoped this wasn't just a temporary illusion to pull the wool over my eyes—that he would cherish our relationship and care for me just like he did now.
Everything seemed perfect, but I wondered why Felix's parents hadn't appeared in town yet. Wouldn't this be the first place they'd come searching for their son?
I felt he was hiding something from me.
We sat on the couch, eating strawberry ice cream. Felix's roommate was out for the afternoon, working until nine every day except weekends.
I leaned back against the pillow, my legs curled around him as he stared off, lost in thought. For a moment, I thought he'd disconnected from reality, his eyes fixed on one spot as he mindlessly scooped ice cream onto his spoon.
"Are you okay? You seem distracted today," I finally said, breaking the silence.
"Huh?" he asked, blinking as if waking from a daze.
"What's going on? Something's bothering you. You're acting strange, Felix."
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he studied me, searching for the right words.
"I didn't sleep well last night. Maybe that's why."
"Don't lie to me. We promised no secrets, remember? We tell each other everything on our minds. And I can see clearly that something's wrong."
Felix put the ice cream down on the table and ran his hand through his short blond hair. He leaned back against the pillow and closed his eyes.
"I contacted my parents today," he said quietly. "What's been eating me up is why they don't care about me, why they haven't come looking. … I don't know what's wrong with me. I should be relieved to have peace, but somehow my heart aches when I hear from them. Maybe it's because I realized I was never truly loved by them. Did they ever care about me? Or did they just want control? Especially my mother—she wanted to arrange every part of my life."
I scooted closer as I saw tears glistening in his eyes. I took his hand, and suddenly he broke down. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he spoke in a choked voice.
"I was born only because my grandparents pressured them for a grandchild. My parents never gave me the warmth I needed because I was unnecessary to them. I was a nuisance, a burden. It's terrible, Selena. Until I met you, I didn't know what real love was—because I never got it from them. Honestly, I hate them, especially after they locked me in that hell…"
I wrapped my arms around him, and he rested his head on my chest.
"What did they say during your conversation today?" I whispered, stroking his hair.
"That they're giving me the freedom I wanted. That I don't exist for them anymore. They'll live as if I never existed, and I'm never to contact them again."
My heart broke hearing those words. I couldn't imagine my parents saying something like that. They always told me I was their greatest treasure, the joy of their lives, and that they were happy I was born.
What kind of monsters could say such merciless things to their own child?
"I'm not in a position to judge," I said softly. "But honestly, not everyone is fit to be a parent."
"I'm sad, but maybe I should be happy to be free. It's probably better not to have parents than to live suffering with them. I'm an adult now—I don't need them by my side," he said, lifting his face to meet my eyes. "The most important thing is that I have you, Selena. You're enough for me to live a happy life."
"You have me and your friends. You can always count on us," I said, gently brushing his cheek. "Mike even got you a job at his place. You'll be fine."
"Now that I know I'm free, I'm thinking about renting an apartment with him. Life's different with a best friend around—as long as you don't finish studying…"
"I know. I'd love to live with you, too. I'm ready for it now, but let's wait a bit longer."
"I love you, Selena," he said, a small smile touching his lips.
"I love you too," I replied, gazing at him tenderly. "Now it can only get better. I believe the worst is behind us."
*
On a Saturday afternoon, we sat in the park with friends, snacking and basking in the warm sunshine. It was a beautiful day, and lazily lounging on a blanket with great people felt like a rare, wonderful gift—especially when no worries clouded our minds.
Mike told such silly jokes that my stomach ached from laughing. Honestly, the man would be perfect as a comedian.
At some point, I glanced around and began observing the other park visitors. I saw happy families with children, couples in love, groups of friends hanging out. Dogs ran around freely; children shouted joyfully. It didn't bother me at all—I felt fantastic.
I popped a strawberry into my mouth and opened my eyes wider when I spotted a familiar face. At first, I thought I was imagining things, but there, on one of the nearby blankets, I saw our schoolmate Hannah tenderly spending time with someone I didn't know.
I decided to keep it to myself, guessing my wild friend wouldn't sit quietly and might react impulsively. As long as Hannah hadn't seen me, I figured she deserved a peaceful moment with her boyfriend.
"Bunny, can I come over to your place tonight?" Eve suddenly spoke up, addressing Mike directly.
I almost choked on my strawberry.
"Blondie, have you no shame? Talk about this kind of stuff with my friend when you're alone," Felix said, frowning at her.
"Don't pretend to be innocent. I know you guys tell each other everything," Eve teased.
"Eve!" I warned her sharply, biting my tongue before she said too much.
"Girls love to spill all the relationship tea, but guys? From him—" Mike pointed at Felix—"you can't get a single thing. No relationships, no details."
"You, on the other hand, probably tell every juicy detail with that long tongue of yours," Eve shot back at Mike, and I smiled.
"Even if he did, I'd plug my ears just to avoid hearing it," muttered Felix quietly.
"And you, darling, why don't you disavow telling your best friend about our romantic escapades?" Mike snapped, making me blush all the way to my ears.
"She once tried, but I really don't want to hear it," I quickly interjected.
"Yeah, that's true…" Eve agreed, then realized she'd just shot herself in the foot. "No, wait, stop! What are you talking about, Selena? I never even started that topic—I know you don't want to hear it."
I laughed as Eve and Mike began bickering playfully. I glanced at Felix, who gently took my hand.
"Shall we take a walk and leave these lunatics to their madness? They're embarrassing us—people are watching," Felix said.
"Yeah, let's go."
They barely noticed us as we walked away, hand in hand, savoring the quiet comfort of each other's presence.
I glanced sideways and saw Felix fiddling with his phone.
"Should we update our relationship status?" he asked, showing me the screen, clearly waiting for my confirmation on Facebook. When he returned to town, he'd created a new profile since his previous one was deleted by his mother while he was locked up in the psychiatric hospital.
I nodded and clicked "update" without hesitation, sure that many would be surprised to see us back together.
Notifications flooded in, but my attention was caught by a post from Sebastian on a black background:
"We soak up hope, and when it evaporates, we wither from nonfulfillment. There are some people who will never stop being important to us. You only miss one person, and it feels like there is no one."
A wave of sadness washed over me as I read the comments—people expressing sympathy and support. I guessed he was referring to his mother, who had been battling an illness.
"What happened?" Felix asked, noticing the somber look on my face.
"Sebastian's mother passed away. I feel so sorry for him. I can't imagine how much he must be hurting."
I glanced at Felix and saw him nervously swallowing.
"I guess I understand his pain a little… because it feels like my parents died too. It hurts so much."
"Do you really think they never want to be part of your life again? That they meant it—not just in anger?"
"This time, I'm one hundred percent sure. They told me to act as if they were dead."
Felix stared off into the distance, and I squeezed his hand tighter.
"Then let's never talk about them again. I don't want to see that sadness on your face. That subject drains all the life out of you."
He looked back at me and nodded.
"You're right. No more talk about them." He tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, eyes full of care. "Let's just enjoy every day together. Like I said, I have you—that's more than enough for me to be happy."
How many times in real life does it happen that the boy you crush on actually starts crushing on you? Add to that a little obsession on his part, the problems with your parents fading away, and suddenly you can finally live your happy life?
Doesn't it sound almost too fairytale-like and unreal? Because I have to admit, I'm creating my own fairy tale in real life—and my prince is someone I used to only dream about.
I'm happy.