Chapter 2

Just then, someone knocked at the door.

Duncan had barely put the money back in the drawer when the door swung open. Lucas walked in with a smile.

"Hey, Duncan. What are you up to?"

Duncan immediately grew wary.

"I'm working through a couple of practice tests," he replied with a slight nod.

"You're going on a field trip tomorrow, so get to bed early," Lucas said, putting on a show of concern.

Then, as if the thought had just occurred to him, he added, "I asked Brianna to look after you. If you need anything, you can go to her."

He glanced around before stepping inside, quietly closing the door behind him.

"By the way, you saw what happened today, right?" he asked in a low voice. "How did Brianna react when I kissed her? Did her ears turn red?"

Lucas had always enjoyed bringing up Brianna whenever he talked to Duncan. He'd been the same way in Duncan's previous life.

Back then, Duncan had secretly been in love with Brianna. His feelings for her had always been bittersweet, but he'd kept them buried and never let anyone know.

Duncan blinked. "I wasn't looking at her."

"Oh, really?" Lucas looked pleased, a hint of smugness in his voice. "I was hoping to see how she'd react. I wonder what she'll do when I confess to her on her birthday."

A sharp pain shot through Duncan's chest, but he kept his expression calm.

"I'm sure she'll say yes. Everyone knows she likes you."

Lucas stared at him for a long time before smiling. "That's true."

He glanced at Duncan again.

Duncan's bangs were so long they covered his eyes, his skin was dry and peeling, and he was so awkward and dull that his only redeeming quality was his academic performance. Why would Brianna ever fall for someone like him?

…

The next morning, their parents fussed over Lucas again at the table, asking how he was feeling and piling food onto his plate.

Duncan, meanwhile, might as well have been invisible. The lively conversation around the table had nothing to do with him. He kept his head down and ate in silence, as if he weren't even part of the family.

After breakfast, Duncan didn't wait for Brianna. He walked to the bus stop alone.

The morning air was chilly. He stood there with his schoolbag, rubbing his arms to keep warm.

Just then, a shadow fell over him.

Brianna had been driving past when she spotted him standing alone at the bus stop, his thin frame looking especially small and forlorn.

She rolled down the window.

"Duncan, get in."

Duncan lowered his gaze and stood in silence, clutching his schoolbag.

"Come on," Brianna said, her voice softening as she glanced at him. "I'll give you a ride."

After a brief silence, he thanked her and climbed into the back seat.

From the rearview mirror, Brianna watched him place his bag beside him and sit with his head lowered, looking awkward. She raised an eyebrow.

"What, am I your chauffeur now?" she asked, her voice teasing.

"No."

Brianna glanced at his thin clothes and turned on the heat. She said nothing more as she focused on driving.

Duncan rested his hands on his knees, his head lowered. As the warm air enveloped him, a dull ache settled in his chest.

He'd given himself too much credit.

Brianna had been just like this in his previous life, teasing him now and then and showing him small kindnesses. Those rare moments of warmth had been what made him fall for her.

But she'd only treated him that way because he was Lucas' younger brother.

This time, he wouldn't let himself hope for anything more.

Halfway through the drive, Brianna answered a phone call. Lucas' voice came through the speakers.

"Brianna, my chest really hurts. Can you take me to the hospital?"

Drowsy in the warmth of the car, Duncan had nearly drifted off. His eyes flew open as soon as he heard Lucas' voice. Through the rearview mirror, he saw the brief flash of panic on Brianna's face.

"Turn around," he said quietly as soon as she ended the call. "Just drop me off at the bus stop. I'll take the bus from there."

Brianna was just about to explain the situation, but the words caught in her throat.

She glanced at Duncan. She didn't know him very well, and all she knew was that he was Lucas' younger brother, did fairly well in school, and was rather awkward and quiet.

"I'm sorry," she said as she pulled over.

Taking out her wallet, she offered him some money for a cab. "The bus will be freezing. You should take a cab instead."

"Just drop me off at the bus stop," Duncan insisted, keeping his head lowered.

Brianna fell silent for a moment, but she eventually drove him to the bus stop. She apologized once more before leaving.

Duncan said nothing. He sat on the bench and watched her car disappear into the distance, then let out a slow, quiet breath.

He told himself it was fine. He'd always known Brianna didn't reciprocate his feelings, and it should be fine.

He hung his head in silence, voicing a question he couldn't bring himself to ask aloud.

But if nobody was ever going to love him, why had they brought him into this world?

By the time the bus arrived, Duncan's hands had gone numb from the cold. Before he even reached school, he watched the bus carrying the students on their field trip pass by in the opposite direction.

He sighed, pressing his schoolbag to his chest. Then he headed to the teachers' office.

"Mr. Benson, I've decided to compete in the national math competition. I'll need to take the rest of the semester off school to attend a full-time training program."