The Queen's Blunder

I wanted to tell Naomi that I had no idea what she was talking about, as I didn't even know how to play checkers and certainly wouldn't know chess jargon.Naomi, however, didn't seem to notice and excitedly told me about everything going on between her and Carl.At first, I would listen to her patiently, but that patience eventually grew thin as I sensed things changing ever so subtly, and there was nothing I could do to change it.I once complained about it to Naomi, only for her to tell me, "He's a prodigy. He's different from normies like you."Indeed, which was why she found a kindred spirit in him, while I remained a normie.In fact, I lost interest in watching the Spring Orchid Cup final when I found out that Carl was Naomi's opponent.However, our parents didn't know and even called me home to watch it, so I had to.As they sat on their couch and the emcee announced the third round, I was on my phone, utterly distracted and only looking at the TV occasionally.Soon, I he

Beside Naomi, Carl pouted. "I'll definitely surpass you!""For sure," Naomi giggled. "I'll definitely let you win.""You don't say! You actually blundered seven times when I'm not that bad! Don't you ever do that again!""Yeah, yeah. If you say so."On the other end, I hung up in annoyance.I was mentally prepared for it, but it still hurt that Naomi and Carl flirted like I wasn't on the phone.Moreover, I was reminded of the way Naomi smiled at Carl—it was the same smile she gave when she beat me at chess before.Now, that smile belonged to someone else, and she was clearly so obsessed with Carl that she couldn't be bothered to talk to me.-The next day, I didn't wait to tell my parents and headed straight to my college.Last night, Naomi did call me back after a while, but she didn't try again when I didn't answer.She really wasn't worried that I hung up on her.When I reached the college dorms, I saw a message she sent in the morning.[I'm a little busy lately and can

I was annoyed that the question in my mind didn't even have to be asked and flung the watch on the floor.At this point, it was exactly what I wanted to do. "What am I to you, when you can't stop talking about Carl? Do you even have a brain, doing everything he says? If you find him that much better and 'different', then go out with him!"Naomi frowned, her eyes flashing angrily. "Don't be so unreasonable! There's nothing between us—he's like a brother to me! And he's been kind enough to save our relationship, spending his precious time picking a gift for you! "Forget not being grateful—you have to insult him?! When did you become like this?! It's like I don't know you anymore!"I laughed. "I never changed. But you did, so I had to adapt. Also, should I be grateful? For what, driving us apart? If you even had a heart, you would remember that I hate green!"Naomi was ready to argue but was cut short when her phone rang—it was a special ringtone instead of the default one, which sh

I actually felt frustrated the last time I heard Naomi and Carl talk like that, but now, I simply found it amusing.What even was that? Bipolar drama?Hanging up right then, I sent Naomi a text instead. [I've made up my mind. Let's break up.]She seemed to be worried enough to call me repeatedly right after, so I simply turned my phone off.-Early next morning, my roommate nudged me while I was still asleep. "Wake up, man. Your girl… I mean, your ex is here."I peeked downstairs to see that Naomi really was standing there—heaven knew how she made the time to rush over.Sighing, I freshened up before going downstairs.I could personally tell her since she had traveled all this way.However, I had just arrived downstairs when Carl appeared out of nowhere, dragging Naomi toward the gates as he cried, "Let's just go back! He doesn't love you anymore—you don't have to waste your time here cheapening yourself! You'll break my heart!"I was disgusted and wasn't interested in bein

If anything, Steve and Alice were treating me like their own son, even getting standoffish against their actual daughter, Naomi.Squeezing Alice's hand in turn to convey my gratitude, I watched as Naomi pursed her lips awkwardly and quietly coaxed Carl back to his seat.When both of them tried their best to initiate conversations over food, my parents were simply silent, while Steve and Alice were as sarcastic as could be, finding issue in almost everything. As they kept playing up their roles as evil in-laws, Carl ultimately left, glowering. I had no idea how Carl or Naomi felt, but my parents and the Wilsons were in a fine mood, dragging me along to their poker table after filling their stomachs.I was almost unsurprised to see them whip out their usual deck of cards, but I eventually got bored staying with them and left for a stroll.Before long, I spotted Carl and Naomi fighting by the curb and regretted everything.And before I could turn to leave, Carl noticed me and rus