C35 You Spend Your Whole Life Worrying About Failure

For the first time that afternoon, I felt nervous. I had not thought about any of those things. Not the possibility of rejection. Not Team Manager Josh. Not the complications that could come from liking the daughter of someone I respected.

Seeing my expression change, Chris sighed. “See? This is why I asked.” Alicia nodded. “You always overthink after the problem arrives instead of before.”

I rubbed my forehead. “Thanks. That really helps.” “It wasn’t supposed to help.” “Then why say it?” “Because it’s true.” Chris immediately laughed.

I looked at the two of them and felt completely defeated. After teasing me for a while, both of them finally became serious.

Chris placed a hand on my shoulder. “Brother, listen.” “If you spend your whole life worrying about failure, you’ll never do anything.”

Alicia nodded in agreement. “Exactly.” She smiled warmly. “If she rejects you, then she rejects you.” “The world won’t end.” “And if Team Manager Josh gets angry?” I asked.

“Then we’ll deal with it when it happens,” Chris replied. “You haven’t even confessed yet and you’re already imagining ten disasters.” Alicia laughed. “That sounds very Nerd-like.” I couldn’t help smiling.

For some reason, hearing them say those things eased the pressure in my heart. Chris pointed at me. “Whatever you decide, we’ll support you.” Alicia immediately raised her hand. “Me too.” She smiled.

“Whether you succeed or fail, your older brother and younger sister will still be here.” A strange warmth spread through my chest. I looked at them and nodded. “Thank you.”

Chris grinned. “Don’t thank us yet.” “Why?” “Because now we need a plan.” The moment he said that, Alicia’s eyes lit up. “A plan!” I suddenly had a bad feeling.

The two of them looked at each other. Then they looked at me. I felt like prey surrounded by hunters. Chris spoke first. “You shouldn’t rush to confess.”

Alicia nodded. “Definitely not.” “Women don’t like being rushed.” I stared at her. “And how would you know?” She immediately froze. Chris started laughing. “Good question.”

Alicia coughed awkwardly. “I read about it.” “Where?”

“Books.” Chris laughed even harder. “What books teach that?” Ignoring him, Alicia continued. “You should spend more time with Laura first.”

“Get to know her.” “Become closer and see what kind of a person she is.” Chris nodded. “For once, Little Sister is making sense.” Alicia proudly raised her chin. “I always make sense.” “No.” “Yes.” “No.” “Yes.” Watching them argue again made me laugh.

Eventually Chris turned back to me. “Invite her somewhere.” “Somewhere simple.” Alicia suddenly snapped her fingers. “A picnic!”

Both of us looked at her. “A picnic?” “Yes.” She smiled. “The weather is nice this weekend.” “You can invite Laura.” Chris immediately understood. His eyes widened. “That’s actually not a bad idea.”

I was surprised. “A picnic?” Alicia nodded excitedly. “Not just you two.” “You invite her.” “Chris and I will be there too.” Chris pointed at himself. “Why am I involved?”

“Because if she becomes our sister-in-law one day, we need to inspect her first.” Chris almost choked. I nearly dropped my drink. “Alicia!”

She laughed loudly. “I’m joking!” Then she paused. “Mostly.” Chris shook his head helplessly. “You’re impossible.” Alicia grinned.

“So, Brother.” She pointed at me. “Your mission is simple.” “Ask Laura to join us for a picnic this weekend.” I looked at both of them.

The more I thought about it, the more reasonable it sounded. It wasn’t a confession. It wasn’t too forward. It was simply an opportunity to spend time together.

Maybe Chris and Alicia could even help break the awkwardness. After thinking for a while, I finally nodded.

“Okay.” Both of them immediately smiled. “Good.” Chris stood up. “Then it’s decided.” Alicia raised her juice like a toast. “To Brother Michael’s new love.” I nearly died from embarrassment.

The two of them laughed so loudly that people at nearby tables turned to look at us. For the first time in many years, however, I didn’t feel burdened by thoughts of Samantha.

Instead, I found myself wondering whether Laura would accept the invitation. And for some reason, that thought alone was enough to make me smile.

Seeing that both Alicia and Chris agreed with the picnic idea, I eventually agreed as well. Taking a deep breath, I pulled out my phone and opened Laura’s chat.

After staring at the screen for almost a minute, I finally typed. “Hi Laura, are you free this coming weekend?” The message was sent. To my surprise, the reply came almost immediately. “Yes, I’m free. Why do you ask?”

The moment I saw her response, excitement surged through me. I quickly showed the message to Alicia and Chris while pretending to remain calm.

Chris glanced at me and laughed. “You look like someone who just won the lottery.” I ignored him and quickly typed another message.

“My friends and I are planning to have a picnic this weekend. If you’re free, would you like to join us?” I pressed send. Laura read the message. Then she went offline.

My smile instantly disappeared. The three of us stared at the screen. Five seconds. Ten seconds. Thirty seconds. Nothing. Panic immediately filled my heart. “Did I overdo it?” Chris nearly choked on his drink.

Alicia laughed so hard she held her stomach. “Nerd, if you panic this much you’ll die young.” “But she was online!” “People have lives,” Alicia replied. “Maybe she’s busy.” “Maybe she dropped her phone.” “Maybe she’s thinking.” “Maybe she’s eating.” “Maybe she fainted.”

Chris immediately turned toward her. “Why would she faint?” Alicia shrugged. “I was just helping.” Neither of them looked worried, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The rest of lunch passed without another message. The more she didn’t reply, the more convinced I became that I had messed everything up.