New Love After Heartbreak

At the welcome party, my delusional disorder flared up again, and my childhood friend, Bentley, nudged me towards confessing to the city's prince.

"Your fantasies are curable; he's way out of my league. Go and dream about dating him!"

"Stop sticking to me with all this nonsense; it's really getting annoying."

I fell to the ground, and after regaining my composure, I picked myself up amid the laughter and ran away.

Bentley's mocking voice still echoed behind me: "Her fantasies are crazy. She actually thinks she's dating me."

"Just wait; she's so obsessed with me, she'll come crawling back soon enough."

But he was wrong. After that, I never chased after him again.

Later, he found out I had found a new focus for my dreams.

He barged in, "Even if you're making it up, couldn't you be a little more realistic? Who else could put up with you besides me…?"

He didn't finish because the city's prince, Dilan, suddenly emerged from the restroom and wrapped his arms around me.

"Don't leave. I'm in need of love, and you're just perfect for me."

During the welcome party, I suddenly felt lightheaded. Instinctively, I searched for Bentley Walker.

"Darling, I…"

As I reached out to him, he abruptly pushed me into the crowd towards a young man with a cool expression.

Bentley's eyes were filled with amusement.

"Maia, your fantasies need help. Dilan Rice is the city's prince, and he's much better than me. Go dream about being with him!"

"Stop clinging to me with your absurd notions. It's really annoying pretending I'm your boyfriend."

Dilan caught me just in time before I hit the ground. He looked like he wanted to say more, but I was focused on Bentley's face, which was full of disdain.

Is this how Bentley had always perceived me?

The secret wounds I'd hidden for so many years were suddenly exposed for everyone to see.

My throat felt dry and raw; I couldn't even ask him why. Growing up, I'd developed "romantic delusion disorder" because of childhood trauma, and had an odd fascination with Bentley, who was my constant companion. Deep down, I saw him as my boyfriend.

He never outright rejected me, always adopting a silent acceptance. But now, he was saying these things and wearing that expression.

It was like my heart was caught in a vise, making it hard to breathe.

Memories of our time together replayed in my mind, instantly becoming a source of mockery.

My body trembled with panic and betrayal.

Bentley knew how much his words hurt but chose to ignore it, making jokes about me to the people around him.

"This girl is out of her mind. Buy her breakfast once, and she thinks we're a couple, like she's lost it."

"Isn't it hilarious? If I gave her a gift, she'd think I'm proposing. Hahaha."

In his eyes, there was only ridicule and not a hint of understanding or regret.

For the first time, I wanted to walk away from him.

Bentley didn't notice.

I shifted, feeling the curious and judgmental eyes on me, making me feel hot and uncomfortable.

I desperately wanted to escape.

"What? Did I say something wrong?"

"You've been on my heels for years, acting like I'm your boyfriend. Out of politeness, I've let it slide, but did you really think I liked you?"

Bentley scrutinized me with mockery, and as soon as he finished, laughter erupted around us.

"Bentley, how could you say that about your childhood friend? She's been there all these years."

"Having a pretty little thing like that trailing after you, catering to every need, must be entertaining."

Bentley shrugged it off, "Easy for you to say. If you were constantly bothered like this, you'd get it."

"She's a complete nutcase."

"Maia, if you're unwell, get some help. I'm no doctor. Stop hassling me."

Perhaps his words were too harsh, even the onlookers went silent.

In this hush, my discomfort escalated.

The air felt thin, almost suffocating. Dilan seemed to say something beside me, but I couldn't hear it.

I turned to leave the room. As soon as I stepped outside, tears I'd been holding back finally fell.

Through the door, I could still hear Bentley laughing.

"Don't doubt it. Her delusion is completely insane."

"Bentley, that was a bit harsh. What if she really stops coming around? Wouldn't you miss it?"

"Ha, why would I care?"

"But, you know, apart from the clinging, Maia's really not bad. She's got the looks, the figure, and she even brings you breakfast every morning. Are you really willing to let her go?"

Bentley replied flippantly, "Just wait. She's so into me, she'll be back begging soon enough. She's just putting on a show. After all these years, I know her too well."

"Without me, she might do something desperate!"

I couldn't hear what else they said.

Nor did I dare stay and listen.

My hands trembled uncontrollably.

When I was a child, my parents divorced and remarried, shuffling me between them like a burden neither wanted.

I ended up living with my grandmother. I craved love desperately, even a tiny bit would suffice. But my grandmother always greeted me with coldness.

When I was just 16, she was already trying to marry me off to a foolish man from the next town over, who was over thirty.

Only Bentley stood up for me, protecting me.

He was young but spoke with certainty.

"If you don't want her, I do. If you won't support her, I will."

His family was well-off, and his father helped me through college.

He never rejected me. Several times when he was drunk, he'd hold me and whisper my name repeatedly.

So I believed we were on the same page.

My romantic delusion disorder had found its savior in him.

But only now do I realize that, to Bentley, our years of connection were all in my head, just an illusion.

Tears streamed down my face. It felt like my world was crumbling.

Suddenly, I wanted to leave.

I returned to Bentley’s house to pack my things. After college started, I'd been living there.

It didn't take long to pack up, then I reached for a box from the top of the wardrobe. Inside was a watch I'd bought with my entire summer's part-time earnings, meant as a birthday gift for Bentley.

But now, I'd probably never have the chance to give it to him.

I handed the watch to the housekeeper who was tidying up, then, carrying my suitcase, headed for the door. I stopped to look back, realizing for the first time that I was leaving Bentley behind.

But it didn't matter.

He was never truly mine to begin with.

Everything really was just my imagination.

When I returned to the dorm, I found my bed piled with stuff. With no roommates around and not wanting to disturb anything, I hauled my suitcase back downstairs.

Outside, rain was pouring.

I stood in the storm, unsure of where to go next. I felt an overwhelming sense of despair.

My body trembled from the cold and wetness. I longed for someone to hold me.

In the past, Bentley would have been there to comfort me.

I was sure he was my partner, that he loved me, and I'd quickly recover.

But now, my hair was soaked by rain, and droplets trailed down my face, chilling me to the bone.

I was drenched and disheveled.

Then, an umbrella was suddenly held over my head.

I looked up, dazed, to find Dilan standing there.

I instinctively turned away, not wanting a stranger to see me so miserable.

Especially after the humiliation at the welcome party.

Dilan gently touched my shoulder, and the jolt sent a shiver through me.

"…Please don't look at me."

I spoke through sobs.

The young man behind me was silent for a moment before speaking softly.

"You can be as vulnerable as you need to be in front of me."

My heart trembled. I didn't understand his intentions.

I looked back at him blankly. He gently raised his hand to wipe the tears from my face.

I flinched slightly at the touch.

He seemed to realize he was being too forward, softly murmured an apology, and stepped back.

It was then I noticed his clothes were soaked.

From the start, the umbrella had been held to shelter me.

I remembered walking in the rain with Bentley, sharing an umbrella. He'd always walk fast, never slowing down for me.

I'd rush to keep up, often getting soaked but not caring.

Even then, he'd tease me: "What, can't you keep up? If you get wet, it's your own fault."

I didn't mind then. Just sharing an umbrella with him made me happy.

In hindsight, I realize how naive I was.

"Do you want to come back to my place? You'll catch a cold staying out here like this."