"In the early days of my school life, I didn't have any friends. Since I was a very shy girl, I couldn't start a conversation with anyone. I was all alone and felt so jealous when I saw other students happily talking and hanging out together. In my class, there is a popular girl who has so many friends. She was the center of attention because she was very beautiful, rich, and talented. Even though everyone came to talk to her, I noticed that they didn't stay long, and when they all left, she just sat there at her seat, all alone and sad, just like me. One day, she came to me and asked if she could sit next to me. I allowed her, after we hadn't talked to each other all morning, she started a conversation with me. She told me that all those students came to her because of what she had, not who she was, and she wanted a friend who understood her and accepted her for who she truly was. She asked to be my friend, and since I didn't have any friends at that time, I accepted her offer. After that day, we walked to school together, went home together, and hung out together. We stuck together like glue and did everything together. We got along so well, and we became best friends in no time. One day, I asked her why she came to talk to me. She answered it was because she noticed I didn't have any friends, and that reminded her of herself. So, she thought if two lonely girls came together, they wouldn't be lonely anymore. She was perfect in every way: beauty, skills, socializing. As time passed, her perfection became even more perfect. She got more beautiful, more talented, and more popular every single day, and I felt like I'm drifting farther and farther away from her. She became the attention of the entire school, made new friends—a lot of friends—and started to spend less time with me. When I was a freshman, I found a perfect boy and developed a crush on him. He was like a male version of my best friend: perfect in every way, with no flaws. With the help of my brother, who luckily was his friend, I had the chance to talk to him, become his friend, and join his group. I spent more time with my new friends, just as she spent more time with hers. But when I thought our friendship had come to an end, my best friend came back to me and told me that she still loved me and that I would always be her best friend, no matter what. That's when I realized that she had never forgotten about me, and it makes me feel very guilty for thinking of her in a bad way. We had a long and fun conversation that night. I told her about my crush, and she cheered for me. She told me that one day I would win his heart and become his girlfriend. Throughout the years in school, I had been doing my best to win his heart. We slowly grew closer and closer, until one day, we were close enough that he shared with me his secret—the secret I wished had never come out of his mouth. He told me he had a crush on my best friend and wanted me to help him win her heart. I was so shocked when I heard that. I often saw him looking at her, but I didn't realize that he had feelings for her. I was so afraid that if I refused, he would hate me, so I promised to help him. I helped him meet her, get to know her better, and become close to her. Meanwhile, I tried my best to make him love me instead of her. I exercised heavily, went on a strict diet, and trained and studied day and night. I did everything to make myself more beautiful, more talented, and more confident. Everything that would make me better and make him look at me. I believed that if I could be better than my best friend, he would give me his attention. I tried so hard, but in the end, I failed. I didn't have his heart, but he had hers. My crush succeeded in stealing my best friend's heart, and that hurt me so much. When I saw them kissing at the pier while we were on vacation, I couldn't believe my eyes and wanted to scream. That night, I ran away into the woods, hiding in the old, abandoned hut and crying alone. It was your father who found me, soothed me, and brought me back to everyone. When I returned, I found out that all my friends were worried about me and looking for me, even my best friend and my crush. I told them the truth before my best friend and my crush hugged me and apologized to me for breaking my heart. They told me that even though their hearts now belong to each other, they still love me and will always be my best friends. After I heard that, I didn't know how to feel. It was so sad but also heartwarming. So, I cried out loud and everyone cried with me, especially my best friend and my crush. That night, I realized that even if I didn't succeed in love, I still have friends who always care about me. After that day, I still hung out with my group, my best friend, and my crush. We couldn't look at each other without thinking of that sorrowful moment, but we tried our best to put it behind us for the sake of our friendship. After graduation, they got married and had a kid. They lived a happy life together, but I know that in their hearts, they still felt sorry for me. Even though I'm happy to see them together, deep down, I still hope that the woman he married is me."
"They weren't feeling sorry. If they were really sorry, they shouldn't have done that in the first place."
"Love is complicated. We can't force two people to love or not to love each other, and when love is strong enough, they can do anything to be with each other, even breaking their best friend's heart. Honestly, I understand them. They had to choose between accepting each other's love and breaking my heart or refusing and fulfilling my dream. And in the end, they chose each other, instead of me."
"Why didn't you object to their love?"
"Because I knew that it wouldn't change anything. She got his heart, and he got hers. No matter what I do or say, their hearts will always be with each other."
"You must be so hurt."
"Actually, it wasn't that bad. Even after they entered into a relationship, they still be nice with me. We still remained good friends, hung out, and supported each other in every way. I was envious every time they spent time together, but compared to what they offered me, it was just a little pain."
"Trust me, you'll be happier, as soon as you forget about them."
"I think you're right. It's time to let them go. They're my best friends after all. I shouldn't be jealous of them. I should be happy… to see them living happily together. While she was saying the last sentence, tears welled up in her eyes and she started sobbing.
Arthur looked at his aunt with pity. He knew that it wasn't easy to let a bitter past go. He wanted to console her, but he didn't know what to say.
Arthur softly touched her shoulder and said, "It's okay, Aunt. I know how much it hurts to be disappointed in love. But I want you to know, no matter what happened, you still have me. You're family after all, and I will do anything to protect you and make you happy."
After hearing Arthur, Rosalia broke into a smile. She wiped away her tears with her hands and said, "Why am I sad when I have a lovely nephew by my side?"
Arthur returned the smile. "Thanks, Aunt. Don't worry, I believe you'll find a man better than him in the near future."
"I hope you're right."
"Please get a husband quickly. I can't wait to play with your children."
"This boy is good at teasing!" Rosalia put Arthur in a headlock and ruffled his hair.
"No! Not the hair!"
They laughed.
"Come on, Arthur! Your breakfast won't finish itself!" said Rosalia.
They returned to the dining table. After swallowing the last whit of his toast, Arthur took all the dishes to the sink in the kitchen and washed them. When he returned to the dining room, he snatched his backpack and headed to the front door. While he was tying his shoes, Rosalia walked to him and said with a smile, "Have a nice day at school, pumpkin."
"Thanks, Aunt. Enjoy your day!" said Arthur with a smile as well.
Arthur stood up, opened the door, and left the house.
"Oh, I almost forgot!" Arthur turned around in the middle of the stairs and ran back to Rosalia.
"Is something wrong?" asked Rosalia.
"Do you have a twin, Aunt?"
"A twin? No, not even your father looks that much like me. Why do you ask?"
"Because of this." Arthur showed Rosalia a photo on his phone.
Rosalia looked at the image and gasped in shock when she saw a photo of a woman in a suit who looked exactly like her.
"Wait, what!" exclaimed Rosalia, taking Arthur's phone and scrutinizing the photo.
"Surprised, right? She's my new teacher. At first, I thought you were bored with your job and came to my school to work as a teacher."
"How is this possible?"
"I don't know, maybe she is your long-lost sister."
"That's impossible. I don't have a sister."
"Maybe your parents have another kid and kept her a secret from you."
"No way. Why did they do that?"
"Who knows?" Arthur shrugged.
"I think I have to go check my family tree."
"Are you sure you don't have a sister?"
"Absolutely! Whoever she is, I don't know her. But she has my face, so we might be connected in some way. I want to meet her."
"I'll show her your photo and tell her you want to meet her when I see her again. I'm certain she will make the same expression as you did."
They chuckled.
"Okay! See you later, Aunt!"
"See you soon, Arthur."
Arthur sprinted down the stairs. But after running along the sidewalk for a few steps, he stopped and stood still.
"Forgot to show me my other twin?!" shouted Rosalia.
Arthur ran back to Rosalia and embraced her. "No, I forgot to hug you."
Rosalia's face reddened. She smiled gently and returned the cuddle.
They closed their eyes and opened their hearts.
"I love you, Aunt," said Arthur.
"I love you too, sweetheart," said Rosalia
After recharging their hearts with joy, they let each other go.
"See you again this evening!" shouted Arthur, running off to school and waving at her.
"Take care of yourself!" shouted Rosalia, returning the wave.
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