Chapter 4

Maybe what I said had had some effect, as Nevaeh stopped looking for me.

It lasted for a few days before she started again, stubborn as ever. She would press her notes into my hands, and sometimes she would stay behind, insisting on helping me work through problems.

"Aren't you coming to Brookshire University with me to study finance? Your math still needs work."

For once, I did not argue.

In her world, I was still the same guy who would follow her without hesitation, no matter what she chose.

Maybe in this new life, we could at least be friends, even if we could not be together.

However, every time I looked up from studying, tired and unfocused, I would catch Edward staring at me with quiet resentment.

Then, one month before final exams, everything snapped.

I had just walked out of the school gates and was about to head to the bookstore across the street to pick up some reference books. I saw Nevaeh rushing toward me.

She was dragging Edward along with her. His face was pale, and there was blood on his clothes.

Before I could even react, she stopped right in front of me.

"Chester!" Her voice was tight, her anger barely held in. "You hate him so much that you hired people to beat him up outside of school?"

I froze.

I looked at Edward. Half his face was swollen, and the way he looked at me was full of fear and anger.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I frowned, a sense of disbelief rising in my chest.

"No idea?" Nevaeh let out an icy laugh that quickly caught the attention of the students nearby, who began turning to look.

"When those thugs were kicking him, they said Mr. Smith told them to teach Edward a lesson. Who else would use such disgusting methods besides you?

"So this is the real you! All that patience was just an act."

I looked at Edward. He was trembling.

"Chester, if you've got the guts, fight me fair and square instead of pulling dirty tricks like this.

"We're both guys. You should be ashamed of yourself for chickening out.” As he spoke, his body shook even more.

"I didn't do it." I looked straight at Nevaeh, my voice calm. "I wouldn't stoop that low."

"Where's your proof? Who's going to believe you?"

She would not listen. Edward's condition and his words had completely clouded her judgment.

She paused for a moment, like she was making a final decision. Then, her voice turned icy, each word clear and sharp. "Edward. Hit him back, just like how he hit you."

The words exploded in my ears. I stared at Nevaeh in disbelief.

She was telling Edward to hit me.

All my life, even my parents had never laid a hand on me.

Edward looked startled, too. He shook his head.

"Nevaeh…"

"Do it!" She shoved him lightly toward me, then grabbed hold of me, her hands locking me in place. "He owes you. I'm right here. No one's going to touch you ever again!"

More and more students gathered around us, their whispers buzzing like a swarm of mosquitoes.

Under all those eyes, Edward looked even more helpless and fragile. He raised his hand slowly, his fingers trembling.

It was as if he finally made up his mind.

He shut his eyes and swung.

Smack!

The sound was sharp and loud.

Pain burned across my face. The force was strong enough to make my ears ring. I tried to struggle, but Nevaeh's grip tightened, her nails digging into me in warning. She was born with immense strength. However, she hesitated when she saw the blood trickling from my nose.

She probably had not expected Edward to hit that hard. Something flickered in her eyes.

When she saw Edward standing there, shaking after the slap, she immediately let go of me and gave him a hug.

"It's okay now."

Then, she looked back at me. "I'm still willing to tutor you if you apologize properly now. We can still go to Brookshire University together.

"You’ve always wanted us to move out, right? We could even buy a place near campus…"

I looked at her.

Suddenly, I laughed.

"Brookshire University? You can go with Edward.

"I won't be joining you two."