Chapter 10: Second Chances?

After New Year’s, with a few days of vacation left, I was bored at home.

I spotted a flyer for a pizza place on the coffee table and my eyes lit up. I snapped a photo and posted it to my Instagram Story: “Tony’s Pizza Couples’ Meal Half Off! Anyone want to pair up with this poor single guy?”

Within two minutes, my comments blew up.

Melissa: “Always chasing these little deals. Wouldn’t eating with me at full price be better?”

Sarah: “How about we pair up?”

Friend 1: “Would you go with a guy?”

Friend 2: “Stop fishing—there aren’t any single girls left. I’m tired of your bait.”

Me: …

Not long after, Rachel unexpectedly sent me a Facebook message.

Rachel: “When?”

Mike: “?”

Rachel: “Aren’t you going for pizza?”

The heart that had finally calmed down after half a year started pounding again.

I didn’t know why she wanted to eat pizza with me, but I was still looking forward to it and couldn’t say no.

Mike: “When are you free?”

Rachel: “Anytime.”

I checked the time. It was already 8:30 PM.

Mike: “How about tomorrow afternoon?”

Rachel: “Okay.”

I stared at the chat, grinning like an idiot.

Maybe she didn’t hate me that much after all. Maybe she was just cold before because she was heartbroken. My imagination ran wild, and my mood soared.

I hummed as I got ready for bed. My cousin called, asking me to make some extra cash. I was reluctant.

She gritted her teeth and raised the price: “A hundred if you do it.”

She was offering too much.

I fixed myself up again and rushed over.

Easily made a hundred bucks. Thinking about having dinner with my crush tomorrow, I was so happy I could barely sleep.

I sighed inwardly. After being ignored by fate for so many years, maybe luck was finally turning my way.

I hugged my phone and slept till morning.

As soon as I woke up, I kept changing clothes and fixing my hair.

Then I kept editing and deleting messages to Rachel.

After agonizing forever, I finally sent a simple one: “Are you up?”

But…

Seriously?

She unfriended me…

That’s right—out of nowhere, she unfriended me.

I was full of question marks, both angry and amused.

The more nervous and excited I’d been before, the more disappointed and frustrated I was now.

My brain was spinning. I still couldn’t figure out—why did she play me like this?

I stared at my phone, wondering if I’d ever get a second chance—or if I’d just blown it for good.