He’d Marry Me Only If His Friends Gave Me a Perfect Score, So I Quit the Game Chapter 02
Claire started telling everyone about something funny that had happened during training at the ski resort the week before.
Everyone at the table listened closely.
Every so often, Ethan added more food to my plate until it was piled high, yet he never once noticed that I hadn’t taken a single bite.
After dinner, Claire said she wanted to check out a new bar nearby.
Naturally, everyone followed her.
Ethan drove.
Claire sat in the back, but piled her bag, water bottle, and jacket onto the passenger seat.
I stood beside the car for a moment, staring at all of it.
She laughed.
“Isn’t that what the passenger seat’s for? Dumping your stuff on?”
Everyone in the car burst out laughing.
Ethan didn’t correct her.
In the end, I gathered all her things into my arms and climbed into the passenger seat with them.
The entire drive, Claire and Ethan talked about old memories.
They talked about junior tournaments, someone falling into a swimming pool when they were kids, and a holiday when the whole group had sneaked off to watch a game.
Before, I would always try to join in.
“Who was that? What happened afterwards? Whose nickname was that?”
I had always tried to remember every story from their past.
I thought that if I understood them well enough, maybe it would be easier for them to accept me.
But this time, I just sat there quietly.
As we got out of the car, Ethan reached over and ruffled my hair.
“You were good today. You’re finally learning not to keep firing questions at people while they’re talking.”
He smiled at me like he was rewarding a child.
“I’ll give you a point for that, then.”
My hand froze on the seat belt.
“Ethan, was I really that annoying when I used to ask about those things?”
The smile on his face faded.
“I give you one compliment and you’re already overthinking it. Don’t spoil the mood tonight. And whatever you do, don’t upset Claire, or you’ll be back on zero next year.”
They had reserved a partially enclosed seating area at the bar.
Claire was in a great mood and patted the seat beside her.
“Erin, sit here.”
I didn’t want to.
But someone shoved me towards her before I could refuse.
“Claire asked you to sit down, so sit down. Don’t stand there pulling a face like we’ve done something awful to you.”
Claire raised her glass with a smile.
“Here’s to Erin. Maybe next year she’ll finally get full marks and be one of us properly.”
Someone immediately laughed.
“So does that mean we finally get an engagement party next year? Claire’s already picked the bridesmaid dresses, hasn’t she?”
Of course she had.
And not just the bridesmaid dresses.
She had even picked out wedding dress styles for me long ago.
Last year, she had even sat down with Ethan to go over the wedding plans.
From the entrance music to the seating plan, the two of them had gone through everything as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Meanwhile, I, the person who might actually marry him, had been the last one to hear about any of it.
I had argued with Ethan about it once.
He thought I was making a big deal out of nothing.
“Claire just likes planning weddings. Why do you have to turn everything into an issue?”
“I’ve told you before, my friends’ opinions matter to me. If you can’t live with that, maybe we shouldn’t be talking about a future at all.”
Back then, I had convinced myself that because he cared so much about his friends, he must care deeply about the people in his life.
I had even imagined that once we were married, he would defend me in front of other people the same way he always defended his friends.
Looking back, it was ridiculous.
Claire held her glass out towards mine.
I didn’t drink.
The smile on her face slowly faded.
“Erin, have I said something wrong?”
Ethan immediately reached for my glass and filled it again.
“Say sorry to Claire.”
He poured too much.
The dark liquid spilled over the rim, ran across the table, and dripped onto my dress.
I had saved for a long time to buy that dress.
I had planned to keep it for my graduation photos.
Now the skirt was covered in ugly stains.
I stared at the stain before looking up at him.
“I didn’t do anything. Why should I apologise?”
Ethan frowned.
“Does it matter? Just say something nice so she doesn’t feel bad, and we can leave it there.”
Claire lowered her eyes.
She didn’t say anything, but she was clearly waiting.
I froze.
Ethan leaned closer to me.
“Just go along with it. Don’t ruin everyone else’s night.”
The entire table was watching me.
In the end, I picked up the glass and drank it in one go.
The drink was strong, and afterwards both my throat and stomach felt awful.
I lowered my head and spoke quietly.
“I’m sorry.”
Claire finally smiled.
The moment she smiled, everyone carried on talking and drinking as if nothing had happened.
Someone even patted me on the shoulder.
“There you go. Maybe we’ll give you a few more points next year.”
That kind of comment used to keep me happy for ages.
Now I couldn’t even force myself to smile.
Later, everyone shifted their chairs around to watch replays of the game.
Little by little, I was pushed farther and farther towards the edge.
When someone stood up, they bumped hard into me.
My side slammed into the stone edge of the bar.
The pain was so sharp I could barely speak.
The person who had knocked into me merely raised an eyebrow.
“Sorry. Claire needs a bit more room. Budge up, will you?”
Someone nearby laughed.
“She never says anything anyway. What’s one more time?”
