Chapter 6: Dorm Gossip and Allowance Drama

Half a month later, Derek told us he was dating someone.

And that someone was Natalie’s best friend and roommate.

The three of us grilled him for gossip.

“Spill it, man.”

“You’re the first in our dorm to get a girlfriend, I’m not convinced.”

Derek scratched his head. “Actually, we’ve known each other for a while, but never talked much. She was always with Natalie. But my girlfriend said Natalie seems to have a crush lately.”

“Huh?”

All three of us made noises that could only be described as dying guinea pigs.

Derek continued, “She said Natalie chats with that guy every day now, even saved his contact as ‘sweetheart.’ Aubrey can’t get her to play tennis anymore, so the two of us started playing together, and that’s how we got close, and well... you know the rest.”

The other two roommates looked at me with sympathy. “It’s okay, bro, you’re so good-looking. Even if Natalie doesn’t appreciate it, there are other girls out there...”

It was meant to comfort me, but I still felt a little bitter inside.

So Natalie isn’t just cold—she’s just cold to me.

I quietly climbed into bed and pulled the blanket over my head.

I was going to play a game, but now it felt like I’d been doused with cold water.

The next afternoon, there was a department event with Natalie.

I didn’t dare look at her the whole time, just kept my head down.

But Natalie kept glancing my way.

What is this? A look of pity?

Her best friend Aubrey kept chattering beside her.

“Wow, my girl, the ice queen finally melted!”

“Even saved him as ‘sweetheart.’”

“If it works out, you have to tell me first!”

...

She talked so much, I have no idea how Derek fell for her.

After the department event, I messaged Grandma: “Your sweetheart is heartbroken, I want to cry.”

Grandma replied: “Oh? Besides me, you have another sweetheart?”

Is Grandma getting senile, just saying whatever comes to mind?

“That sweetheart isn’t this sweetheart. It’s not the same thing.”

After sending that, I didn’t reply again.