Fake Dates and Mooncakes

by Sher Lee

“My mom told me not to take favors because I’ll never know when they’ll be called in.”

“He seems like a great catch. Feel free to tell your nosy aunt to mind her own business…but what’s holding you back?” I shrug. “He lives in a huge mansion and drives a Ferrari. I ride a bike with a squeaky front wheel. Our worlds are as far apart as the sun and the moon.” “They align every now and then,” Aunt Jade points out. “Eclipses are pretty memorable.” But they’re over before you know it, I don’t say.

“There’s a Chinese saying my aunt loves: yǒu yuán qiān lǐ lái xiāng huì.” “What does it mean?” Catherine asks. “ ‘We have the destiny to meet across a thousand miles.’ ” I don’t dare to look at Theo. “That’s kind of how I felt when we met. The way our paths crossed was so out of the blue that I couldn’t help but think something in the universe must’ve aligned.”

“Pretty sure Theo’s got more than takeout in mind.” She grins. “You know, Netflix and chill. Or should that be IMAX and climax?”

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“If two people have the destiny to meet, not even a thousand miles can keep them apart.” My composure threatens to crumble. I can’t let him see I’m dying inside. “But if they don’t, their paths won’t cross even if they’re right in front of each other.”

“Giving your heart to someone is like learning to ride a bike. You’ll skin your elbows and knees, but the pain will pass. You’ll heal. And one day, the scars will be a memory, not of falling, but of getting up again.”

“Because every story can have a different ending.” Aunt Jade’s expression is meaningful. “It all depends on which one you want to believe in.”