Hidden love fan fiction

A love to last

That word is chanting in my mind right now as I look at my mobile screen. No. I gaze at the i********: texts in front of me:

Duan Jia Xu:Let's meet.

Sang Zhi:What? No.

Duan Jia Xu:Sang Zhi, we've met so many times. What's the problem now?

Sang Zhi:I don't wannaaa...

Duan Jia Xu:I'm calling you in five minutes.

Duan Jia Xu has been in my life for three years since I moved in with my cousin brother, Sang Yan, for college. He's part of Sang Yan's close friends group—the kind that hangs out almost every day. I've talked to him, but always in a group setting.

Our texts began the day I messaged him to ask why Sang Yan wasn't picking up my calls. Since then, we've been getting to know each other and lightly flirting, though our behavior hasn't changed when we see each other in person.

My phone rings, and I pick it up, grunting. "Does this mean nothing to you, Zhi?" I hear Duan Jia Xu's voice, and guilt traps me.

"It does, Jia Xu, but I've never done this! I've never even talked to a guy alone at school or college," I say, lying on my bed.

"There's a first for everything, you know," he says softly.

"It's gonna be awkward," I whine internally.

"It's okay. We'll go through the awkward phase together."

"You promise you won't tease me about it?" I ask, biting my lip.

A laugh echoes from the other side. "I won't. Tell Sang Yan to drop you off at the library and come over to the small cafe beside it, okay?"

"Okay." I groan and cut the call.

Sang Yan is three years older than me, as is Duan Jia Xu. We haven't told Sang Yan about this yet, and I don't plan to until I'm sure about Jia Xu. I don't want their friendship to change because of me.

I get up and go to my room to look through my clothes. Jia Xu has seen me at my worst look—the "I just woke up, so my hair is a mess, and I haven't brushed yet, and I'm not even sure I'm awake" look. I decide on a pink and blue crop hoodie and ripped shorts. I wrap half of my wavy hair in a high ponytail while the lower half stays open, giving me a casual but good look. I apply lip gloss and a thin line of eyeliner, just to look more presentable. I slip my feet into my white sneakers, and a song pops into my mind.

It's 1 PM. I pick up my phone and call Sang Yan. "Hey, can you drop me off at the library at 2? I'm thinking of having a reading day."

It's normal for me to spend a whole day there once in a while, just reading and observing people, so he doesn't question me. "Be ready."

It takes us fifteen minutes to drive up to the library, and I wave Sang Yan goodbye as I enter the shop, the smell of books hitting me. I wait for five minutes to make sure he's gone, then head to the small cafe called Brittos beside it. My mind hopes Jia Xu isn't there or that our plan gets canceled. I'm one of those girls who texts and talks to guys in groups, but when it comes to meeting them alone, my mind goes into panic mode. I've never had my first kiss because of this. I do want all that romance and those clichés in my life. I've wanted them since I was sixteen. But I never had the guts to actually show up for a date.

I walk into the cafe, and my eyes catch his hazel ones. I WANNA GO HOME AAHHH. I try to stop my inner panic as I walk towards him. He smiles at me, getting up from his chair. We do a weird side hug thing. Why do I make things weird?

"Hey," he grins, and I drop the sunglasses resting on my head to cover my brown eyes, hiding my lower face with my hands.

"Hi," I mumble, and I hear him laugh. His black hair is messy, and he looks adorable in the red hoodie. Yes, I like cute guys more than hot ones. Fight me. I gasp as I feel him flick my forehead, and I glare at him through the sunglasses.

"Remove the glasses. It's weird," he says, smiling, and I obey. I blush as my eyes meet his, and I look down. "This is awkward," I mumble, and he laughs again.

"It's adorable," he smiles, making me melt. I order a pizza, and he orders pasta, and then it's awkward again as we wait. Do I look okay? Should I have worn a dress? I wanna go home.

"Stop thinking so much," Jia Xu says, and I blush. Why am I blushing? He moves his left hand and takes my right one in his. "Zhi, I know this is weird and out of your comfort zone, but I'm up for all the awkward dates and weird moments as long as you are." His thumb strokes my hand, and I smile at him.

"I'm up for it, even if I wanna run home right now," I say, resting my head on my left hand, my right still in his.

"Awkward dates are underappreciated. This is too adorable," he grins, and I turn red, kicking his leg under the table. This feels right.

As the days passed, Jia Xu and I met more frequently. Our interactions were filled with nervous laughter, lingering glances, and shy smiles. Each awkward date gradually became less awkward and more enjoyable.

One Saturday afternoon, we decided to visit the city's art museum. I had always loved art but never found anyone who shared my interest until now. Jia Xu seemed genuinely excited about the idea, which made me even more enthusiastic.

We wandered through the galleries, discussing our favorite pieces. Jia Xu had a unique perspective on art, seeing meanings and connections that I had never noticed before. His passion was contagious, and I found myself getting lost in the beauty of the paintings and sculptures around us.

At one point, we stood in front of a large, abstract painting. Its bold colors and chaotic patterns seemed to reflect my feelings perfectly.

"What do you think it means?" I asked Jia Xu, curious about his interpretation.

He tilted his head, studying the painting for a moment before answering. "I think it represents the complexity of human emotions. Life is chaotic and unpredictable, but there's also beauty in that chaos."

His words resonated with me deeply. "I like that interpretation," I said, smiling at him. "It makes me feel better about all the confusion in my own life."

Jia Xu turned to look at me, his eyes soft and understanding. "You're not alone in feeling that way, Zhi. We're all trying to make sense of the chaos in our lives."

His reassurance made me feel a warmth in my chest. I realized that, despite my initial fears and insecurities, I was starting to feel comfortable around Jia Xu. He had a way of making me feel seen and understood, something I had never experienced with anyone else.

As the months went by, Jia Xu and I grew closer. Our dates became more adventurous, ranging from hiking trips to late-night stargazing sessions. Each moment spent together brought us closer, and my feelings for him deepened.

One evening, as we sat on a hill overlooking the city, I felt an overwhelming urge to tell him how I felt. The stars above us twinkled like little beacons of hope, encouraging me to take the leap.

"Jia Xu," I began, my voice trembling slightly, "I need to tell you something."

He turned to face me, his expression serious yet gentle. "What is it, Zhi?"

I took a deep breath, gathering my courage. "I... I've never felt this way about anyone before. You've become so important to me, and I think... I think I'm falling for you."

For a moment, there was silence. My heart pounded in my chest as I waited for his response. Then, a smile spread across his face, and he took my hand in his.

"I've been wanting to tell you the same thing," he confessed. "Zhi, you mean so much to me. I can't imagine my life without you in it."

His words filled me with a joy I had never known before. Without thinking, I leaned in and pressed my lips to his. The kiss was soft and tender, a perfect expression of the feelings we had both been holding back.

When we finally pulled away, Jia Xu rested his forehead against mine, his eyes closed in contentment. "I've wanted to do that for so long," he whispered.

"Me too," I replied, my voice filled with happiness.

From that moment on, our relationship blossomed. Jia Xu became not only my boyfriend but also my best friend and confidant. We faced the ups and downs of life together, supporting each other through every challenge.

Despite our growing closeness, there was one thing I had kept from Jia Xu—the reason why I had been so hesitant to meet him alone initially. It wasn't just about my inexperience with dating; there was a deeper, more painful truth that I had been avoiding.

One evening, as we sat on the balcony of my apartment, watching the sunset, I knew it was time to open up. The orange and pink hues in the sky seemed to mirror my conflicted emotions.

"Jia Xu, there's something I need to tell you," I began, my voice shaky.

He looked at me with concern. "What is it,

Jia Xu?”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. “The reason I was so scared to meet you alone at first… it’s not just because I was inexperienced with dating. There’s something else—something that happened to me in high school.”

Jia Xu’s expression softened, and he reached out to hold my hand. “You can tell me, Zhi. Whatever it is, I’m here for you.”

Feeling the warmth of his touch gave me the courage to continue. “Back in high school, I had a close friend. His name was Wei. We were inseparable, and I thought he was someone I could trust completely. But one day, he… he betrayed that trust in the worst way. He tried to take advantage of me.”

Jia Xu’s grip on my hand tightened protectively. “Zhi, I’m so sorry you went through that.”

I nodded, tears welling up in my eyes. “It shattered me, Jia Xu. I felt so violated and scared. After that, I built walls around myself, afraid to let anyone get too close. That’s why I’ve never been alone with a guy or gone on a real date. I didn’t want to risk getting hurt again.”

Jia Xu pulled me into a gentle embrace, his arms providing a safe haven. “Thank you for trusting me enough to share this, Zhi. I’m here for you, and I’ll always be here to protect you. You don’t have to be afraid anymore.”

His words wrapped around my heart like a comforting blanket, and I realized that for the first time in a long while, I truly felt safe. Jia Xu wasn’t just saying the words—I could feel the sincerity in his embrace, the genuine care in his voice.

“I know it’s not easy to open up about something like this,” Jia Xu continued softly. “But you don’t have to face it alone. We’ll get through it together.”

I pulled back slightly to look into his eyes, the sincerity and warmth in his hazel gaze overwhelming me with gratitude and love. “Thank you, Jia Xu. I feel like I can finally start to heal with you by my side.”

With my past laid bare between us, Jia Xu and I moved forward with a newfound sense of intimacy and understanding. We spent our days exploring new places, laughing over shared jokes, and finding joy in each other’s presence.

One weekend, Jia Xu suggested a trip to a nearby coastal town. It was a place neither of us had visited before, and the idea of a mini-adventure excited us both. The town was known for its beautiful beaches and charming seaside cafes.

We arrived in the early afternoon, the salty sea breeze greeting us as we stepped out of the car. The town was picturesque, with cobblestone streets and colorful houses lining the waterfront. We checked into a quaint little bed-and-breakfast, the cozy atmosphere setting the perfect tone for our getaway.

After settling in, we decided to take a walk along the beach. The golden sand felt warm under our feet, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore was soothing. As we strolled hand in hand, we talked about everything and nothing, our conversations flowing effortlessly.

At one point, we found a secluded spot where we could sit and watch the sunset. The sky was a canvas of vibrant colors, the sun dipping below the horizon in a fiery blaze of orange and red. It was a moment of pure magic, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for Jia Xu’s presence in my life.

“Jia Xu,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, “I love you.”

He turned to me, his eyes reflecting the hues of the sunset. “I love you too, Zhi.”

Our lips met in a tender kiss, the world around us fading away as we lost ourselves in each other. It was a kiss filled with promise and hope, a symbol of the new beginning we were creating together.

As our relationship deepened, I introduced Jia Xu to my family. Sang Yan, my brother, had always been protective of me, and I knew he would have strong opinions about Jia Xu. I was nervous but also hopeful that he would see the wonderful person Jia Xu was.

We arranged a family dinner at our house. The table was set with my mother’s best china, and the aroma of home-cooked dishes filled the air. Jia Xu arrived on time, looking both confident and slightly anxious.

“Jia Xu, this is my brother, Sang Yan,” I said, introducing the two most important men in my life.

Sang Yan sized him up, his expression unreadable. “Nice to meet you, Jia Xu.”

Jia Xu extended his hand, a polite smile on his face. “Nice to meet you too, Sang Yan. Zhi has told me a lot about you.”

The dinner started with polite conversation, but as the evening progressed, the atmosphere became more relaxed. Sang Yan began to see the genuine care and respect Jia Xu had for me, and by the end of the meal, he seemed to warm up to him.

After dinner, Sang Yan pulled me aside. “Zhi, I can see that Jia Xu makes you happy. Just know that I’m here for you, no matter what.”

I hugged him tightly, grateful for his support. “Thank you, Yan. It means a lot to me.”

With my family’s acceptance, Jia Xu and I felt more confident about our future together. We continued to build our relationship on trust, love, and mutual respect, knowing that we had overcome significant hurdles to be where we were.

A year had passed since our first awkward date, and our relationship had grown stronger with each passing day. Jia Xu had become my rock, my confidant, and my greatest source of happiness.

One evening, he took me back to the hill where we had shared our first kiss. The night was clear, and the stars shone brightly above us. We sat on a blanket, reminiscing about our journey together.

“Zhi,” Jia Xu began, his voice filled with emotion, “this place holds a lot of special memories for us. It’s where I first realized how much you mean to me.”

I looked at him, my heart swelling with love. “It’s special to me too, Jia Xu.”

He took a deep breath and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. My breath caught in my throat as he opened it to reveal a beautiful ring.

“Sang Zhi, will you marry me?” he asked, his eyes shining with hope and love.

Tears filled my eyes as I realized the depth of his commitment to me. “Yes, Jia Xu. A thousand times, yes!”

He slipped the ring onto my finger, and we shared a kiss that sealed our promise to each other. In that moment, under the starlit sky, I knew that our love was strong enough to overcome any obstacle.

Our journey from awkward beginnings to a deep, unwavering love had been filled with challenges and growth. With Jia Xu by my side, I felt ready to face whatever the future held, knowing that our love would guide us through.