Jason Brooks sat on the cold, wooden bench by the old oak tree, staring at the cracked sidewalk in front of him. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves above, but he didn't notice. His mind was miles away, lost in memories he couldn't escape.
It had been three years since the accident. Three years since his parents had died, leaving him with nothing but the memories of happier times. Three years since his world had turned dark. The accident had been sudden, and there had been no warning. One moment, his parents were there—laughing, talking, living their usual busy lives. The next, they were gone. Just like that.
Jason had been the one to survive. He had been in the backseat of their car when it happened. But unlike his parents, he had walked away from the crash. No injuries. Just a broken heart. A broken life.
Since then, everything had changed. His friends, his relatives—they all drifted away. No one knew how to talk to him, how to help him through the pain. But there was one person who never left. Lily Carter.
Lily had been his best friend since they were little. When the accident happened, she was there. When Jason cried in his room for hours, she was the one who knocked softly on his door and sat with him, offering him the only comfort she knew how.
Now, they were both at the same university, the same place where life was supposed to start anew. But Jason felt like he was stuck in a place where time didn't move forward. He still felt the weight of the past, still heard the echo of his parents' laughter in his head.
Jason looked up. Lily was walking toward him, her long brown hair swaying with each step, her smile as bright as ever. She was everything Jason wasn't. Pretty. Confident. Popular. It wasn't just that she had the looks; she had the way of making everyone around her feel important, special. Everyone loved her. Everyone except him, it seemed.
"Hey," Lily said as she sat beside him, her voice light and carefree. "What's up with you today? You've been quiet."
Jason forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Nothing, just thinking."
Lily tilted her head, studying him with concern. "About what? You've been acting distant lately, Jason."
He didn't want to talk about it. He never did. There were too many things he kept inside, too many things that were too painful to say out loud. But Lily was his best friend. She deserved to know.
"Everything," Jason replied softly. "I just... I don't know what I'm doing here. I thought... I thought maybe I could start over, you know? But nothing feels different. I still feel like I'm stuck in that moment, in that car. Like I'm just waiting for something to happen, but it never does."
Lily's face softened. "I get it. But you're here, Jason. You're alive. And I'm here. You're not alone."
He glanced at her, his heart aching. She was always there for him. But what did she want from him? Was it really friendship she was offering, or was she just being kind out of pity? Jason had always wondered.
"Thanks," he said, his voice quiet.
Lily nudged him with her shoulder, trying to lighten the mood. "Come on, you're always so serious. You need to have more fun. Let loose a little. I mean, look at us—we're at university now! It's our time to do what we want."
Jason chuckled softly, though the sound was hollow. "Yeah, right."
"Seriously! I bet if you just tried, you could be as popular as anyone here. All it takes is confidence, and maybe a little work on that... fashion sense." She grinned, clearly teasing.
Jason shifted uncomfortably. He wasn't blind. He knew how people saw him. Tall, lanky, with messy brown hair and glasses that never quite fit right. He had never been what anyone would call "handsome." And Lily was beautiful. People admired her everywhere she went, always complimenting her smile, her style, her energy. But Jason? He was invisible.
He wanted to believe Lily, to believe that there was something more for him, that he could change. But he wasn't sure. What if she was just saying it to be nice? What if she was just trying to make him feel better?
The silence between them stretched on, broken only by the distant sounds of students laughing and talking as they passed by.
Jason's heart was pounding in his chest. He had kept his feelings hidden for years, but now, sitting here with Lily, something inside him pushed him to speak. He had to. He had to know.
"Lily, I need to tell you something," he said, his voice shaky.
She turned to him, her eyes curious. "What is it, Jason?"
He took a deep breath, the words coming faster than he could think. "I... I've liked you for a long time. I know you don't see me like that, but I have to tell you. I think about you all the time. You're the only person who's been there for me, and I... I don't know what I'd do without you."
Lily blinked, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then, a slight smile curved her lips. But it wasn't the smile Jason had hoped for. It wasn't warm or affectionate. It was almost... amused.
"Ewww! Why would I want to date you?" Lily said, laughing. "I'm just here to comfort you, Jason. That's all. You're like a brother to me. A cute, sad, little brother."
The words hit him like a punch to the gut. Jason's stomach twisted, his heart sinking. It felt as though the world had stopped spinning. He couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.
"W-What?" he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Lily tilted her head, looking at him like he was being ridiculous. "Come on, don't look so shocked. We're friends, Jason. That's all we'll ever be. I care about you, but not like that. I'm sorry, okay?"
The pain in Jason's chest was unbearable. He had never imagined it would feel this bad. This final. He had built up so much hope, so many dreams about a future with her. And now, it was gone in an instant. She wasn't the girl he thought she was. She was just... someone else. Someone who had never seen him the way he wanted her to.
Without another word, Lily stood up, brushing off her jeans as if nothing had happened. "I'll see you later, okay? Don't take it too hard. You're still my friend."
Jason didn't answer. He couldn't. His throat was tight, his eyes welling with tears he refused to let fall.
As Lily walked away, his heart shattered.
Alone.
That was all he was. All he would ever be. The boy who had lost everything.
And that was when it happened.
A sudden, strange flicker of light appeared before him. A blue translucent screen, hovering in midair.
Hey host!! Don't worry! I'm here to help!!
Jason blinked, his mind racing. Was he hallucinating? Was this part of his breakdown?
The screen flickered again.
You're not alone anymore. Welcome to the system!