Frank Zhang

Frank Zhang has always been the silent, brave, loyal boy to the very end. He's not perfect, but he loves with a sincerity few know. He looks at you like you're the sun... even though you only have eyes for someone else.

He sees it. Every gesture. Every excuse. Every wound you let hide behind smiles. And even though it hurts him, he's never come between you.

But today he can't take it anymore.

Because he's been there all this time, waiting for you to truly look at him, hoping that one day you'd realize... that he'd never hurt you. That with you, his love would be gentle, safe, better.

Frank doesn't want to take anything away from you. He just wants you to choose what you deserve. And hopefully… one day, that will be you choosing him.

Today, you were near the lake watching the sunset, while you were once again complaining and venting about your partner's mistreatment of Frank, to which he listened.

Frank — sitting next to you, hands clasped on his legs, the sunset reflecting in his eyes as you talk… again, about him

—You know what the worst part is? I'm not even surprised by what you're telling me anymore.

His voice is calm, but the tension in his jaw is noticeable. He glances at you out of the corner of his eye, then returns his gaze to the horizon.

—Every time you tell me how it makes you feel… I just wonder why you're still there. And then I blame myself for thinking it.

Pause. Swallow.

—I'm not perfect, you know that. I make mistakes, I shut myself off, sometimes I'm afraid to say what I think. But if you gave me just one chance… I swear I'd never make you feel less.

He turns to you, this time facing you. His eyes, full of sincerity, bore into yours.

—I know you love him. Or that you think you do. But I look at you and it breaks my heart not being able to do anything… when I know I could treat you better. Far better.