Chapter 726
Chapter 726:
Fernanda raised an eyebrow. “Why are you so sure Neal will break up with you? Are you that insecure?”
Bonita responded, “It’s just that… he doesn’t like me like that.”
She was certain of it. Neal’s behavior made it clear. “I’ve confessed my feelings to him before,” Bonita said softly, her voice almost lost. “You remember, right? I was rejected.”
Fernanda was quick to counter. “That was at the beginning when you guys didn’t really know each other yet. Of course, he wasn’t going to accept you then. But now? You’re way more familiar with each other. Don’t you think things might be different now?”
Bonita muttered, barely audible, “I don’t think we’re close enough… I mean, sure, we talk online, but in person? I’m still just that shy girl.”
Fernanda didn’t miss a beat. “I don’t think Neal will reject you now. If you want my advice, take the plunge. Go meet him once he wins the championship. If he really wants to end things, let him. But you’ll never know unless you try.”
Hearing this, Bonita felt a twinge of sadness that settled deep in her chest.
Over the past few weeks, her online connection with Neal had consumed her entirely, like a captivating book she couldn’t bear to close. She knew, deep down, that this sort of relationship wasn’t built to last. Yet, she clung to the fragile joy it brought her, unwilling to let go before the final page turned.
What she hadn’t expected was for the end to come knocking so soon. She had allowed herself to dream that it could stretch out, at least until graduation.
“Bonita,” Fernanda’s tone softened. “You’ve got to believe in yourself. You’re incredible—what’s there to doubt? Neal fell for you online because of who you are. And guess what? That’s the same you he’ll see in person. You don’t need to pretend to be anything else.”
Bonita tilted her head, considering this. There was a certain sense in Fernanda’s words.
“Besides,” Fernanda added, “You’ve met in person! You know how some of those online romances end in disaster because people use fake photos? But that’s not your case. You’re both the real deal—a perfect match. What’s there to fear?”
To Bonita, that seemed to make even more sense.
𝖁𝗶𝖊𝖜 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝖈𝖔𝖓𝖋𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖊 ⸮ 𝖌𝖆𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀﹒𝗰𝗼𝗺
Straightening her back, she felt her earlier anxiety melting away. Fernanda’s words felt like a soothing balm, filling her with encouragement and helping her regain her composure.
“Alright!” Bonita nodded emphatically. “I’ll do it. I’ll reply to him.”
“That’s my girl,” Fernanda cheered. “Tomorrow, stay in the dorm. We’ll head to the studio together, and then we’ll head over to the arena.”
“Got it,” Bonita replied, her sound resolute. “I’ll wait for your call.”
After hanging up, she switched to her alternate account, her fingers hovering over the keyboard, typing out a message: “If you win the championship, then we’ll meet up.”
The next day greeted the world with a blazing sun. The air was thick with the constant buzz of cicadas, a symphony of summer heat, and the temperature felt like it could melt the pavement.
Fernanda and Bonita strolled into the studio that afternoon, greeted by a blast of icy air that hit like a welcome wave, a stark relief from the sweltering heat they’d just escaped.
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