Chapter 2

2

Our mothers were best friends, so Xavier and I had known each other since we were kids.

As far back as I could remember, I was the little shadow following him around.

I used to call him "big brother" every single day.

Xavier was gentle with me too. He wasn't much of a talker, but whenever he saw me, he'd have a faint smile on his face.

Teenage feelings took root in my heart at some point, and by the time I realized it, they had grown like wild vines.

But that love was never spoken. Due to a family crisis in high school, my parents moved me out of state.

We met again at the university freshman orientation, where Xavier was speaking as the top student representative.

The love I had buried deep in my heart came rushing back.

I finally couldn't hold it in anymore and confessed to him.

Xavier's expression went blank for half a second, then he ruffled my hair and said, "Okay."

After getting together with Xavier, we never celebrated any holidays.

He always said people should be down-to-earth and not worry about superficial things.

I cried and argued, but all it got me was him suggesting we break up.

From then on, I never dared to ask for anything again.

I often comforted myself, thinking Xavier was just a logic-driven guy, an academic monster who didn't understand social graces.

Besides, he didn't have any other women around him except me. I told myself I should be satisfied.

It wasn't until now that I realized he wasn't incapable of understanding.

I just wasn't worth the effort.

I gripped my phone, sitting alone in the bedroom.

For three days straight, Xavier didn't send me a single message.

What was I even waiting for?

I asked myself repeatedly.

Then, my phone buzzed with a notification.

I jumped, frantically opening the phone, afraid to miss even a second.

I was so flustered that I messed up my fingerprint unlock several times.

The only thing that appeared was a photo.

I looked at two hands tightly intertwined.

A sparkling ring couldn't hide the small red mole on Xavier's ring finger.

I bit my lower lip so hard I could taste blood.

The coldness in my heart grew deeper.

I silently typed "Let's break up" and hit send.

Then, I blocked him.

Only after doing all that did I realize I was shaking uncontrollably.

It's fine. This is where it ends.