A Game of Hearts

Selena's face flushed bright red. "Do you not remember me? I actually knew you before Jess did. I've liked you for a long time, but it always seemed like you only had eyes for her…"

As her friend spoke, Jessica cleared her throat, clearly uncomfortable. "Lena, what are you talking about?"

It was only then that Selena seemed to remember Cameron was standing next to her.

"Cameron, it's just my personal opinion. Jess and Sebastian are only friends!" she explained hurriedly.

Cameron chuckled and affectionately ruffled Jessica's hair. "I won't read too much into it. I've known since university that my girl is never going to fall for anyone but me."

I remained quiet, just standing there.

At that moment, I felt a wave of failure wash over me. I had been living with Jessica as her boyfriend for five years, yet our relationship was so unremarkable that even her best friend was completely in the dark about it.

Seeing me lost in thought, Selena waved a hand in front of my face. "Sebastian, don't feel embarrassed! If you're not interested, that's fine—we can just be friends!"

Jessica was watching us while sipping her juice with a thoughtful expression.

I smiled. "I'm not embarrassed at all. You seem really great."

After a moment, Selena seemed to gather her courage to say, "I know it's a little forward for a girl to say this, but if you're open to it, I'd like a chance to be your girlfriend."

I noticed how Jessica set down her juice, her fingers idly tapping against the glass. Selena's gaze was intense, and I felt a strange warmth radiating from it.

I chuckled. After ensuring that there was no bitterness or desire for revenge in my heart, I replied calmly, "Sure, let's give it a shot!"

The sound of tapping fingers stopped abruptly.

"Give it a shot? What does that mean?" Selena asked, momentarily taken aback. But she quickly regained her composure, her cheeks reddening even more. "Okay… that's fine!"

"Since I don't have much experience with dating, let's just start as friends," I added.

Jessica took another sip of her juice, her tone light and teasing as she chimed in, "Yeah, he really doesn't have any experience."

Her comment casually dismissed the five years I had poured into chasing after her.

After dinner, I naturally offered to drive Selena home. Jessica watched as she climbed into the passenger seat. When I opened the door, Cameron and Selena noticed the sticker on my dashboard that read 'Sebastian's Lover's Seat'.

The last time Cameron was in my car, it had been dark. Also, he was sitting in the back, so he hadn't caught sight of it.

"'Sebastian's Lover's Seat'? Nice touch, man! You've got a flair for romance," Cameron joked. "But honestly, you should be more direct—just slap 'Selena's Seat' on there."

Selena's cheeks turned crimson at his comment. I couldn't help but remember the moment I bought that sticker. My intention had been to surprise Jessica, hoping it would touch her heart. I thought she would be thrilled. But instead, she had found it childish.

Later, when I was upset about her reaction, she'd tried to cheer me up by posting a picture on social media with [Sebastian says this is my special seat] as the caption. At the time, I'd been genuinely moved.

It wasn't until three months later that I stumbled upon the fact that her post was only visible to me. It was a sobering realization that, from the very beginning, I had been a complete joke in her eyes.

I reached over and ripped the sticker off, hastily concocting an excuse, "I lost a bet playing Truth or Dare with some friends and just forgot to take it off."

I smiled, hoping to deflect any further questions. Besides, Jessica probably didn't care about it.

As I closed the door for Selena with care, Jessica pursed her lips, then said in a lighthearted tone, "Lena, Seb's got the worst insecurity. Now that you've claimed his passenger seat, you can't sit in another guy's passenger seat ever again!"

Knowing Jessica's personality, I didn't take her words as mockery. At that moment, I realized she felt a flicker of guilt towards me. She was at least somewhat aware of the pain and anxiety I had experienced over the past five years in our relationship.

But Cameron had always been her first choice. She had made up her mind before ever really considering me.

As I started the car, Jessica and Cameron took a few steps back. Unexpectedly, she looked up and glanced at me. After driving a certain distance, it struck me that she was watching as I drove off, her gaze locked in the direction I was heading.