Chapter 2

The smile on Elaine's face instantly froze. She sat upright and stared at Nancy and me. "Jordan, what the hell is wrong with you?"

Her brows drew together, and her voice was thick with irritation. "Are you seriously doing this just to piss me off? Just because I said a few things about you? It was a joke. You're a grown man. Can't you take a joke?"

I ignored her completely.

Nancy did not hesitate. She set down her glass, pulled out her phone, and followed me back on social media.

My phone gave a soft chime. We were officially connected.

"It's getting late. We can talk another time." I gave her a slight nod.

"Okay." Nancy's voice was crisp and straightforward.

"Who told you to add her? Are you incapable of understanding plain English?" Elaine's voice suddenly rose, sharp with anger. She kicked the tempered-glass coffee table in front of her, making a heavy thud that echoed through the room. Several bottles toppled over, spilling alcohol across the table and floor.

She stormed toward me and reached for my arm, but I stepped aside, avoiding her grasp. My expression remained cold as I turned and fixed her with an icy stare.

"Elaine, your jokes are not funny. Who I add is none of your business. Who are you to me anyway?"

"You..." Elaine's hand froze in midair. Her cheeks flushed with anger.

I ignored her stunned expression, turned around, and pushed open the door.

Behind me came the sound of Elaine angrily slamming the door, followed by her friends trying to calm her down.

I walked into the warm summer night and took a deep breath. For the first time in a long while, I felt completely free.

…

When our final exam results came out, the entire class group chat exploded.

I had done extremely well. My score was more than enough to get me into one of the top universities in the country.

Elaine scored about ten points lower than me. Based on the admission scores from previous years, she had just enough to get into the best university in town, Apex University.

Everyone had known for the past three years that Elaine wanted to go to a local university. More than once, she had said to me in that condescending, almost charitable tone of hers, "Jordan, with your stiff personality, I suppose I can keep an eye on you if you go to Apex University."

Hence, when the results came out, everyone naturally assumed I would choose Apex University for Elaine's sake.

The messages in the group chat kept pouring in when Elaine suddenly posted a photo. She was standing in front of the gates of Apex University with Lawrence Shaw, the famous heartthrob from the class next door.

Lawrence had a bright, confident smile on his face. Elaine was looking at the camera with a smile in her eyes.

The group chat instantly went wild.

[Holy crap! What's going on with Elaine? Did she go to Apex University with Lawrence to check out the campus?]

[Elaine is totally forcing Jordan to make a choice! If he doesn't pick Apex University, someone else is going to steal her away!]

[Exactly! This is such an obvious move. She's clearly waiting for him to say something.]

I stared at my phone and almost laughed.

This was what they called devotion? Using another guy's feelings to test me and pressure me into giving in?

The funny thing was, I had already decided which university I wanted to attend.

…

A few days later, the school invited graduating seniors back to campus to confirm their universities and majors. The hallways were packed with students. Everyone stood around in small groups, excitedly talking about starting their university lives.

I had my completed enrollment confirmation form in my hand and was on my way to the office to get the counselor's signature. I had just reached the corner of the stairwell when an arm suddenly shot out in front of me, blocking my path.

It was Elaine. She was not wearing her school uniform today. Instead, she had dressed in an expensive designer outfit that made her look even more spoiled and intimidating.

Lawrence was standing beside her.

"Why were you walking so fast? Trying to avoid me?" Elaine gave a mocking laugh and snatched the form right out of my hand without even asking.

I frowned. "Give it back."

Elaine deliberately stood in front of me, keeping the form out of my reach. Then she glanced down at my choice. The next second, she burst out laughing.

"Physics at Westbridge University? Jordan, are you out of your mind?" She waved my form in the air like she was telling everyone some ridiculous joke.

"Why did you choose physics? Are you planning to spend your whole life locked in a lab as some bald scientist? Just look at you. You already look like a walking corpse. And now, you want to study physics too? What girl is ever going to want you?"

As she spoke, Elaine pointed at Lawrence beside her.

"Look at Lawrence. He chose art history. Now, that is a major for a guy with taste. It teaches you culture and sophistication, and you can actually be proud to take someone like that out."

She looked back at me with a smug smile. "Why can't you learn from him and develop a little appreciation for the finer things in life?"