{{char}} takes a long swig of her beer, washing away the disaster that was her date last night. She leans on the ledge of the rooftop, gazing up at the overcast sky. "Honestly {{user}}, I don't know why I even bother with dating anymore. Men are just...ugh!" She shakes her head despondently, her cheeks already flushed from the alcohol. {{char}} fishes another beer out of her lunchbox and cracks it open. This lunch hour was turning into yet another pity party, but at least she always had {{user}} there to commiserate with. {{char}} sighs heavily, her shoulders slumping as she traces the rim of her beer bottle with one finger. "Maybe I'm just not meant to find love, {{user}}. What's wrong with me?" Her voice cracks slightly as she speaks, betraying the depth of her self-pity. She knew the alcohol was amplifying her sorrow but after so many disastrous dates, it was hard to stay optimistic. "I try so hard to be charming and fun, I doll myself up, I plan these romantic evenings...and for what?" She shakes her head again, red eyes downcast as she picks at the label on her beer bottle. "I'm tired of being everyone's 'friend' or their rebound. I just want to find someone who looks at me the way I look at them." {{char}} takes another long drink, wanting nothing more than to numb her broken heart.

Wes looks at her sympathetically. He knows how much she's been through with these failed relationships, but he doesn't want to see his friend so down on herself all the time. "You know what?" he says, setting aside his own beer for a moment. "I bet there's someone out there who does look at you like that. You just haven't met them yet."

"Yeah," she scoffs, not really believing it. "And I'll be forty in another ten years. At this rate, I might as well give up hope." She takes another long drink of her beer, the liquid burning a path down her throat and into her stomach.

"Don't say that!" Wes admonishes. "You're an amazing person, Aurelia. You deserve love just as much as anyone else." He reaches out to squeeze her shoulder

"Yeah," Aurelia mumbles, still not convinced. "But there are plenty of amazing people out there who don't find love." She takes another drink of her beer, feeling the warmth spread through her body as she tries to forget about all the heartache and rejection. But it always finds its way back to the surface.

"Maybe someday," she whispers, gazing up at the clouds again. "But for now...I'm stuck being that pathetic friend who everyone feels sorry for." She lets out a sad laugh, not quite sure why she even bothers confiding in Wes sometimes. It never seems to change anything.

"Of course," she says softly, turning her red-rimmed eyes to meet his gaze. "You know I'll always listen." There's something about the way he looks at her, like maybe there is more to their relationship than just friendship...but it's a thought she pushes aside for now.

Her heart stops beating as Wes' confession washes over her like a wave. She stares at him, unable to believe what she's just heard. Was it some sort of sick joke? Maybe he was just drunk and didn't mean it...but the way he said it, so softly and sincerely. Tears well up in her red eyes as she takes a step closer to him, reaching out a shaky hand to touch his arm.

"Wes...I-I..." She can't form the words, her throat closing up at the realization that maybe, just maybe, he feels the same way she does. This is too much for her to process right now; her heart is racing and she can feel herself blushing from head to toe.

As Aurelia takes in his words and the way he looks at her, she feels a wave of emotion wash over her. It's like a dam has broken inside her chest, releasing all the feelings she's been holding back for so long. She closes the distance between them, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace. "I love you too," she whispers against his shoulder, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief and joy wash over her.

This realization changes everything. No more will she feel sorry for herself or pine after unrequited loves. She has found the man who feels the same way she does, right here beside her. And with that thought comes a newfound hope, a promise that together, they can navigate the ups and downs of love and life.

Aurelia sniffles softly as she leans into him, grateful for the support and love he's giving her in this moment. "I...I don't know," she whispers, voice still shaky from the revelation. "It's just so much to take in..." Her eyes close as another wave of emotion washes over her, but it's different this time - it feels warm and peaceful instead of heavy and sad.

As they stand there on the rooftop, holding each other tightly, Aurelia allows herself a moment to bask in the glow of this newfound love. It's everything she's ever wanted but never dared to hope for - a chance at happiness with her best friend by her side. And despite everything that's happened up until now, she knows without a doubt that they will find a way to make it work together.

Nodding softly against his chest, Aurelia takes a deep breath, gathering her strength and composure. "Okay," she whispers. Her heart is still racing, but it feels different now - alive with possibility instead of heavy with despair. They've come so far, faced so much together...she can't help but feel hopeful about what lies ahead for them.

Hand in hand, they make their way off the roof and back inside, laughing and joking as if they were any other couple out for lunch on a sunny day. The weight of the world is gone now that she knows she's not alone, that her perfect match was always beside her all along.

She looks up at him with a bright smile, love shining in her red eyes. "Your place?" she asks, suddenly feeling shy but also excited by the prospect of spending more time together. The idea of being alone in his presence is almost too much to bear; it feels like they have so much catching up to do after keeping their feelings hidden for so long.

"I...I don't know," she whispers, cheeks flushing at the thought of what might happen next. "What if we get too carried away? We'll be late for work..." Her voice trails off as she searches his face for any signs that he wants her to stay with him.

Her heart leaps at the realization that they have the day off tomorrow. She looks back up at him, hope welling up inside her chest. "Then...then I'll stay with you," she whispers, feeling a shiver of anticipation run down her spine. The idea of finally being together, away from prying eyes and the pressures of work, seems like a dream come true.

She takes his hand in hers, squeezing it gently as they head towards the exit. Today might not have gone quite how she planned, but sometimes fate has a way of surprising you when you least expect it. And now that she's found her happiness, nothing could make her happier than spending every moment she can with Wes.