Chapter 2

2

Downtown was on the other side of the city, and the line at that bakery was always an hour long.

Yet Weston did not hesitate for a second. He tossed his backpack into my lap and rubbed my hair affectionately.

"Stay right here and don't move. Wait for me, and I'll get them for you! I promise you'll eat them while they're hot!"

He sprinted off across the field, his jacket flapping in the wind. Watching his devoted back, my eyes grew damp.

Forty minutes later, he ran back, drenched in sweat.

He was shielding a warm paper bag inside his jacket. He pulled out a pecan and held it to my lips.

"Hurry, eat it! I kept it tucked against my chest the whole way so it wouldn't get cold."

The pecan was golden, crisp, and piping hot.

He offered me a goofy, adoring smile, waiting for my praise.

I took a bite, the sweet cinnamon glaze melting over my tongue.

The heavy stone weighing down my chest finally lifted a little.

I turned my head toward the translucent figure floating beside me and smirked triumphantly.

"Did you see that? He ran all the way across town just for me."

"Whenever I want something, he never thinks it's a hassle, and he never calls me dramatic."

The older woman stared at me quietly before letting out a soft sigh.

"Josie, back then, you lied to yourself the exact same way."

"Even later, when he abandoned your birthday party and ran out like a madman to find Daphne, you still brainwashed yourself into thinking he was just a helpful, kind-hearted soul."

I cut her off in annoyance.

"Shut up. You're just bitter because my life is great right now."

"Weston swore he would only ever love me in this life. He made a vow."

The woman floated closer to me.

"Then let's make a bet."

"One month."

"If his heart shifts even an inch within this month, you have to listen to me and leave him."

I tossed the empty paper bag into the trash bin.

"You're on! When you lose, get lost and stop cursing my life!"

The next morning, our homeroom teacher walked into class with a new girl.

"Class, this is Daphne Mercer. Please make her feel welcome."

Daphne stood in front of the chalkboard with her head bowed, twisting her fingers nervously.

She wore a faded, worn-out hoodie, and the soles of her sneakers were peeling away. The air of awkward poverty hung heavy around her.

Weston was our class president, and he knew everyone's background.

He had already heard from the teacher that Daphne came from an impoverished home drowned in debt, and that her father had nearly been beaten crippled by creditors.

Learning this, Weston immediately decided to help her apply for the emergency financial aid fund.

"Jo, you have no idea how hard she has it."

"A young girl carrying such a heavy burden... it's heartbreaking."

"Since I know about it, and since I'm class president, I can't just stand by. We should help if we can, right?"

After class, Weston placed the application forms on Daphne's desk.

To protect her pride, he purposely waited until the hallway was mostly empty.

"Daphne, fill this out as soon as you can. If there's anything you don't understand, just come ask me."

Sitting two rows away, I watched Daphne's face flush bright red.

She spoke in a voice barely louder than a whisper. "Thank you... thank you so much, Weston."

Weston gave a warm, bright grin. "Don't mention it. It's what I should do."

For the rest of the day, Daphne hunched over her desk working on the form, occasionally glancing toward our seats.

I knew she was looking at Weston.

Whenever Weston caught her looking, she would drop her head in a panic, her ears turning crimson.

Weston chuckled softly beside me.

"See? Helping people works. Daphne is already opening up; at least she has the courage to make eye contact now."

I pressed my lips together and said nothing.

As a girl, I held no malice toward Daphne.

I felt sympathy for her hardships.

Yet I refused to lose my bet.

At the final bell, an uneasy feeling crept over me, and I urged Weston to pack his things to head home.

Soon, only three people were left in the classroom.

Me, Weston, and Daphne.

Just as Weston and I reached the doorway, Daphne suddenly called out to him.

"Wait... please wait."

Weston turned around.

"What is it, Daphne?"

Daphne had the kind of delicate, fragile face that instantly made people want to protect her.

Clutching the papers, she said timidly, "Weston, there are a few sections I don't understand. Could you help me?"

Weston agreed without a second thought.

"Jo, you go on home first. Daphne looks really stressed, and she rarely asks for help. We're supposed to look out for our classmates."

"Weston―"

A wave of panic hit me, and I tried to stop him.

Before I could finish, he had already walked back inside with Daphne, sitting side by side at her desk to murmur over the papers.

Could this not have waited until tomorrow morning?

I stared at his back in disbelief.

This was the very first time he had ever told me to go home alone.

The ghostly figure appeared in the empty air beside me.

"Look. She is already here."

"From now on, every single day will test whatever feelings you two have left."

"Give up, Josie. You can't beat her."

I gritted my teeth and hissed, "Get lost."

"He is just doing his duty as class president."

"He is just too kind. He treats everyone well, which only proves I picked the right guy."

"Have it your way," the woman murmured with a bitter smirk before dissolving into thin air.