Beck shook her head, her eyes filled with something like pity. “I’m sorry, Yesoh. You need to go.”
I glanced past him, toward the door that stood between me and Wynter, and for a moment, I thought about pushing past them, about forcing my way in. But then I saw the resolve in Bae’s face, the quiet firmness in Beck’s voice, and I knew.
Wyn didn’t want me here.
I nodded slowly, my shoulders slumping as I took a step back. “Okay,” I said, my voice hollow. “I’ll go.”
Bae watched me carefully, her arms still crossed, while Beck gave me a small, almost imperceptible nod.
Without another word, I turned and walked away, my footsteps heavy on the stairs as I made my way back to the street. The cold air hit me like a slap, but it did nothing to numb the ache in my chest.
I had come here hoping to make things right, but instead, I’d only confirmed what I already feared. Wyn didn’t want me in his life, and maybe he never would again.
As I walked down the crowded street, the world blurred around me, the noise of the city fading into the background. All I could hear were Beck’s words, echoing in my mind like a broken record:
“He doesn’t want to see you.”
And for the first time, I let myself believe it.
Back at the dorm, it felt smaller than usual, like the walls had closed in on me. I sat cross-legged on the floor, the faint scent of Sydney’s lavender candle lingering in the air. Remi perched on the arm of the couch, flipping her hair over her shoulder while Sydney leaned against the desk, arms crossed and watching me with an intensity that made me squirm.
I hadn’t meant to tell them everything. I hadn’t meant to let the words pour out like they did. But once I started talking, it all came tumbling out—every detail, every mistake, every moment that had led to Wyn walking out of my life.
“And now he’s gone,” I finished, my voice hollow, staring at the frayed edge of the rug beneath me. “He flew back to the US, and won’t look at me. I ruined it. I ruined everything.”
Remi scoffed, her perfectly arched brow rising. “You’re crazy,” she said, her tone sharp but not unkind. “But you’re myfavoritecrazy girl, Yesoh Yeo. I just cannot comprehend how the fuck you had an Olympic champion wrapped around your finger, and you fumbled him? Do you know how rare that is? He was just onForbes’30 Under 30 list.”
“Thanks, Remi,” I muttered, dragging my hands down my face. “That really helps.”
“Seriously,” she continued, flipping her hair again. “Do you know how many people wouldkillto have what you two have? And you’re just…giving up? It was the childhood friendship to lovers story of the damn century, like something out of a film, and you’re letting that go ?”
“I don’t think I have a choice,” I said, my voice cracking. “He won’t even see me. Beck said he left instructions to stay away from me. What am I supposed to do with that?”
Sydney stepped forward, uncrossing her arms and sitting beside me on the floor. “Okay, but let’s back up for a second,” she said, her tone calmer than Remi’s but no less insistent. “You can’t seriously be ready to just give up.”
I looked at her, my throat tightening. “Maybe I should,” I said quietly. “Maybe it’s better if I just let him go. I messed up, Syd. I broke his trust in the worst way. Maybe there’s no fixing this.”
Sydney’s eyes softened, but she shook her head. “That’s not you talking,” she said. “That’s your guilt. You’ve been in love with Wynter since you were thirteen, Yesoh. You don’t just give up on someone like that because it’s hard.”
My stomach twisted at her words. “It’s not just hard,” I said, my voice trembling. “It’s damn near impossible.”
“Nothing’s impossible,” Sydney shot back, her voice gaining an edge of determination. “You think Wynter doesn’t feel anything for you? You think he’d be this upset if he didn’t care?”
Remi smirked, leaning back against the couch. “Exactly. You don’t get that kind of reaction out of a guy who doesn’t give a damn.”
Sydney nodded, her gaze steady. “What you did hurt him. And yeah, he’s angry, and he has every right to be. But humiliation? That’s what you’re dealing with here. You made him feel vulnerable, exposed. You broke his trust, but you also shook his pride.”
I swallowed hard, the weight of her words sinking in. “So what do I do?”
Sydney’s lips twitched into a small, knowing smile. “Youeventhe playing field,” she said simply.
I frowned, confused. “What does that mean?”
“It means you embarrass yourself,” Sydney said, her smile widening slightly. “You let yourself be vulnerable too. If he feels humiliated, then show him you’re willing to put yourself out there, just like he did. Show him you’re willing to risk something for him.”
“That’s insane,” I muttered, shaking my head.
“No,” Remi interjected, her voice light but firm. “It’s genius. Guys like Wynter? They're hardcore athletes, they don’t need you to grovel. They need to see that you’re all in, that you’re not afraid to look stupid if it means getting them back.”
