Oohs and awws rippled through the crowd. Students brought out their phones and started recording. Scenes like this weren't exactly rare on campus, but no member of staff had ever been involved in a public love confession.
"Is he talking about the entomology teaching assistant?" someone whispered.
"Which one?"
"The adorable one with glasses," a voice answered, muffled by the clicking of cameras and shuffling of feet.
"Mom, help, I'm heartbroken. I never even got a chance to confess," another groaned dramatically, clutching their chest.
"Tsk, even if you did, he wouldn't have looked at you."
"I can't believe he has a boyfriend."
"I've seen him come to pick Mr. Quinn up often."
"Their relationship is that good?"
"Naturally. If your boyfriend were Mr. Quinn, wouldn't you treat him well?"
"True. I'd give him the sky if he asked. So what's going on now? They broke up?"
"Seems like it. But he's here to win Mr. Quin back, isn't he?"
"I can't believe he had the nerve to show up here–"
Alex's jaw tightened. "That scumbag." He rolled up his sleeves and took a step forward, ready to beat the living daylights out of Cole.
"Alex," Ryan held him back, his voice low but firm. "There are security cameras everywhere. He's not worth it."
"But he needs to be taught a lesson."
"No buts. I'll handle it— no violence involved."
Alex's glare didn't soften, but he reluctantly stayed beside him. "Fine."
"Ryan Quinn. Please forgive me," the voice boomed again, accompanied by the cheap static from the megaphone.
The murmurs grew louder as the students started looking around."Where's Mr. Quinn? Why haven't we seen him?"
"That's true, the main character hasn't shown up yet."
"Maybe he's shy."
"He might have gone home already."
"He was still in the lecture hall when we left, though."
Ryan's patience had finally snapped. He marched forward, eyes blazing. "Excuse me," he said to no one in particular, pushing his way through the human wall.
More and more students shuffled to the side when they noticed Ryan, the crowd parting like water.
In the center of the circle, Cole stood holding a bouquet of roses in one hand and a megaphone in the other.
"Ryan," Cole called out as soon as Ryan walked in. He placed the megaphone on the ground, reaching out for a hug. "I tried to reach you all weekend but couldn't. Are you still angry with me?"
Alex scoffed, muttering under his breath. "The nerve of this fool," taking a step forward.
"What do you want?" Ryan asked coolly, holding an arm to keep Alex back. "We already broke up."
Cole wasn't deterred by Ryan's cold response. He reached into his pocket and got down on one knee, the bouquet fluttering as her fumbled to bring out a small velvet box.
"Ryan, I've thought it through," He held up the open ring box with a smile, revealing a silver white ring that caught in the setting sunlight. "Will you marry me?"
The crowd collectively gasped, and cheers rang out in the air. Some people even squealed in excitement.
"You–You–" Alex's voice went up a pitch as he turned to Ryan. "Can I beat him up now?"
Ryan shook his head with a soft smile. "I'll handle it."
Then, facing Cole again, his smile dropped and his gaze hardened. "Let's go somewhere else to talk."
Cole's face brightened. "Does this mean you accept my proposal?"
"Dream on," Alex shouted angrily.
"This is between me and Ryan," Cole shot back.
"No," Ryan cut in sharply. "Come with me."
He turned and walked away from the whispering crowd, not checking to see if Cole followed, and headed towards the lecturer's parking lot.
Alex went with them, standing a little far off, but still within sight.
When they reached a relatively quiet part of the lot, Ryan stopped and faced him.
"Ryan." Cole started.
"Didn't you say I was embarrassing? What are you doing here now?" His gaze flickered to the ring box still in Cole's hand. "Does your boyfriend know about this?"
"I already broke up with him, and he wasn't my boyfriend."
"Whatever happens in your love life is none of my business," Ryan said bluntly.
Cole's mouth tightened. "About what I said… I didn't mean it." He reached out to hold Ryan's hand, but Ryan stepped back immediately, the rejection clear.
Don't touch me.
"What exactly didn't you mean?" Ryan's voice was steady, all the anger gone. "That I only cared about my stupid bugs? Or that your friends think I am embarrassing?"
"It's not like that. My friends like you—"
"The words you said in anger are a true reflection of what you really think." Ryan interrupted. "And as for your friends, it doesn't matter to me what they think. You and I are over."
"Come on, Ryan, don't be like this. At least we've been together for 3 years. Every relationship has its ups and downs. One little argument doesn't mean we should break up. If you accept my apology, we can get married."
"Are you done?" Ryan's eyes narrowed. "You cheated and disrespected me. That wasn't one little argument."
"I promise from now on it won't happen again," Cole went back down on his knee. "Will you marry me?"
Ryan's reply was quick. "No, thank you."
Cole turned desperate. "Don't tell me you're willing to throw away our 3 years of love."
Ryan arched a brow."First, you were the one who disregarded whatever type of love was between us. And also, there wasn't really any love between us. You pursued me for months until I finally agreed to date you. I told you I wasn't cut out for a relationship but would try my best."
"Yes, but—"
"And I tried," Ryan said, cutting him off. "I thought we at least had a stable partnership."
"We can still make it work."
"No thanks. I won't be getting married to you or rekindling our relationship, for that matter. We are not suitable for each other. If you come by the school again, I'll have security escort you. I hope this is the last time we have this conversation."
Ryan stepped around Cole, heading toward Alex.
But Cole reached out and grabbed his arm.
Ryan stilled, his anger rising. Even though he had stopped Alex from making a move. Alex was right, Cole needed to get beaten up.
He turned around, ready to throw a punch.
But before he could take action, someone else did.