Chapter 2

After being thrown out, I didn't go back to confront Justine again.

Instead, I rushed back to school that very night and buried myself in research, trying to pull myself out of the grief and lose myself in my studies.

When Justine's parents, Bernard and Sally, messaged to ask where Justine had disappeared to overnight, I simply replied that I had no idea.

Before long, my emotions settled back down.

It wasn't until I finished my work and stepped out of the building that I happened to run into Wayne.

He was leaning casually against the doorway, clearly waiting for someone. When he looked up and saw me, he smiled.

"Hey, Justine and I are grabbing dinner tonight. Wanna come?"

I ignored him and walked past, but he reached out and stopped me.

"Come on. I'm begging you. Can you just let her go? Please?"

I frowned, completely baffled, and shoved his hand off.

"What does this have to do with me? If you have feelings for her, feel free to pursue her."

I had only pushed him lightly, but to my surprise, Wayne went stumbling to the ground like he'd been knocked over, and his face twisted like he was about to cry.

"I know you've loved Justine for years, but love isn’t first-come-first-served. I know you can't accept that she wants to break up with you to be with me, but that doesn't give you the right to attack me in the middle of the street."

Anger surged in me, and my voice rose without thinking.

"Stop making up lies! You know full well you're the one who—"

"Wayne!"

Justine's furious voice cut through the air as she came storming toward us and shoved me aside.

"What are you doing?"

I stumbled back and collapsed onto the ground. A sharp needle sticking out of the curb jabbed straight into my ankle. The pain was so intense, I couldn't stand—I could only glare at her in disbelief.

"Are you out of your mind? He fell on his own! You saw it yourself!"

Wayne stood up with her help, shaking his head weakly.

"Yeah... it was just an accident..."

But Justine didn't buy it for a second.

"You think I'm blind? What, you just decided to sit on the pavement for no reason? Craig, I never imagined you could be so cruel."

Her eyes burned with rage as she looked at me.

Wayne murmured softly, trying to calm her, "Don't be mad... I don't want to come between you two. What if your parents blame me? I'd hate for them to think I forced you into anything."

Justine gripped his hand even tighter, her expression full of pity.

"My parents aren't fools. They can tell who's decent and who's not." She then turned to me. "I already told you—Wayne is the one I want to spend my life with."

Then she stepped toward me and slapped me across the face. "That's for Wayne. I hope from now on, you can be more sensible and stop making a scene."

My head snapped to the side with the force of the slap. A sharp ringing filled my ears.

Blood was still seeping from my ankle, and between the pain and humiliation, I felt completely numb. "That's not what happened… You seriously don't believe me?"

Her tone was icy as she let out a sarcastic laugh. "With the way you've always stirred up trouble, why should I?

"This time it's just a slap. I can't promise what I'll do next time."

The threat hung heavy in her voice.

I slowly got to my feet, my head bowed. "Well, I really appreciate your mercy."

Justine frowned. "Try sounding a little more sincere."

I choked back the tears and bent forward, shouting, "I'm sorry!"

Wayne quickly waved it off.

"It's fine. This isn't necessary."

He reached out to help me, but Justine stepped between us. "People like him are better left alone—don't let his bad attitude rub off on you."

Then she took Wayne's hand and pulled him into the car.

As they drove off, the exhaust hit me square in the face, covering me in dust.

I stood there for a long time, frozen.

It was like I couldn't even feel the pain anymore.

Whatever scraps of affection I had left for her had been buried right then and there—reduced to ash and gone without a trace.