Chapter 2

That night, I uploaded the photos from the day to social media.

A comment I hadn't seen in a long time suddenly appeared.

"Wow, Mabel took so many amazing photos of you again. You're so lucky!"

I froze when I saw it because it had been a long time since I had seen someone leave a comment like that.

Even when we weren't traveling, Mabel used to take my everyday photos at the dorm and around campus all the time.

I would upload them to social media every few days, so everyone knew those photos were taken by Mabel.

But everything changed after Ethan transferred to our school a year ago.

I checked my social media and realized I hadn't posted anything for six months.

I replied to my classmate's comment. "These weren't taken by Mabel. A stranger took them for me. She was really talented."

A few minutes later, Mabel also uploaded nine photos to social media. Every single one was of Ethan.

The backgrounds in our photos were almost the exact same ocean view. It looked like we were competing with each other.

"Thanks to the most handsome guy for letting me take his pictures. I had so much fun today."

Ethan quickly commented. "You're the amazing one. Your photos are incredible. I had a great time too!"

I stared at the screen for a long time. Suddenly, I felt disgusted.

Before my phone screen turned off automatically, I still gave Mabel's post a like.

I made up my mind.

From now on, I would no longer be a part of her life.

The next morning, I ran into Mabel when I went downstairs.

She was looking down at her phone, but the moment she noticed me from the corner of her eye, she frowned.

"Didn't you realize how badly sunburned you got yesterday?"

Before I could even respond, she had already walked out of the hotel quickly in her heels.

Ten minutes later, she came back carrying a pharmacy bag. She opened a tube of aloe vera gel and shoved it into my hand.

She said with a mocking tone, "Didn't you say that photographer was amazing? Then why did she keep making you stand under the hot sun? Look at you. Your neck is already peeling from the sun."

I looked into her eyes.

Even though her words were harsh, the familiar concern in her eyes was still the same as before.

I sighed quietly in my heart but said nothing. I didn't want to argue with her right now.

Then Ethan walked over.

"Oh, what happened to you? Good thing Mabel carefully put sunscreen all over me yesterday, so I didn't get burned at all."

My hand stopped while I was squeezing out the aloe vera gel.

When Mabel noticed me stop, she explained, "Ethan couldn't reach some places on his back, so I helped him apply it."

I stayed silent for a few seconds before taking out my phone and opening my banking app.

"How much did the aloe vera gel cost? I'll send you the money."

Mabel's expression darkened. "Alvin, what's wrong with you?"

I didn't answer.

We had grown up together. We never cared about small amounts of money.

We often bought things for each other without thinking twice.

But things were different now.

I handed the aloe vera gel back to her. "If you don't want to take my money, then I can't accept this either."

Ethan looked innocent. "Alvin, I'm sorry. Are you upset because of what I said? But I really did ask Mabel for help because I couldn't reach my back."

Mabel looked at me with disappointment. "Why have you been getting angry over nothing these past few days? We're all adults now. Can't you control your emotions a little better?"

I threw the aloe vera gel onto the hotel table and gave a cold laugh.

"Then we just won't keep in touch anymore."

Mabel frowned. "Alvin, how can you just say something like that?"

I looked back at her. "Then how can you casually help another guy put sunscreen on his back?"

Before Mabel could figure out how to respond, I picked up my bag and walked away.