Somewhere Beyond the Moon

Every word rang in Jeanette Shaw's ears like a thunderclap.

She felt the blood drain from her body, leaving her frozen in place as if she had been plunged into an icy lake.

What?

She was just a stand-in for his first love?

For a moment, the private room fell silent. Then it erupted with cheers and excited chatter.

"Wow, that's brutal!"

"That's so you, Hank. A few words, and the competition's over. Man, you really are devoted to your first love."

"I heard Cecilia's coming back to the country soon. Since you've never gotten over her, does that mean you'll finally get a second chance? All those years of pining for her might actually pay off. What about your current girlfriend, though? Isn't she your sister's best friend? If you mess this up, those two might not even be friends anymore."

Hank Johnson fell silent for a moment and did not respond.

When Jeanette saw someone heading for the door, she finally snapped out of her daze. Her face was deathly pale as she stumbled downstairs on unsteady legs.

Outside, rain poured from the sky. She walked straight into it as though she had lost all feeling. Cold raindrops struck her face, mixing with the tears streaming down her cheeks.

Everything before her blurred behind a curtain of water. The conversation she had just overheard replayed again and again in her mind, pulling cherished memories she had buried deep back to the surface.

Hank was her best friend's older brother, four years older than her.

She had first met him in high school when she and her best friend were cornered by a group of troublemakers in an alley.

Just when they had run out of options, Hank appeared on his motorcycle. With one long, slender hand, he removed his helmet and asked in a cool, detached voice, "You guys the ones who've been giving my girl trouble?"

The moment his face was revealed, Jeanette heard her own heartbeat pounding wildly in her chest.

Her best friend had told her countless times that her brother was ridiculously handsome, but nothing could have prepared Jeanette for seeing him in person. As if his looks were not enough, he took down the entire group with a few effortless kicks.

Back then, every girl at school had a crush on someone.

Everyone except Jeanette.

Until that day, when she fell head over heels for her best friend's older brother.

By the time she entered college, her features had matured, and she had grown into her beauty. With her best friend constantly encouraging her, she finally worked up the courage to pursue Hank.

She prepared breakfast for him every morning, arranged countless "accidental" encounters, and learned everything she could about his interests so she would always have something to talk about.

She tried everything she could think of. Hank, however, continued to treat her like a child. He kept her at arm's length without ever being outright cold. Only occasionally, when his gaze landed on her face, would he grow strangely quiet, as though he had drifted into thought.

Then came the day he drove her home. When a car suddenly came hurtling toward them, she threw herself in front of him without a second thought.

Fortunately, the driver slammed on the brakes in time. Jeanette escaped with only minor injuries. The corner of her eye struck the car seat, leaving a tiny cut no bigger than her fingernail that bled lightly.

It was hardly serious, yet Hank reacted as though she had been gravely injured. He personally took her to the hospital and repeatedly asked the doctor whether the cut would leave a scar on her face.

Only after the doctor assured him that it would heal without a trace did Hank finally relax. Then his usual stern expression returned, and he began scolding her for throwing herself in front of him.

"Have you lost your mind? Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?"

Jeanette gazed at him with sparkling eyes. The love shining in them was impossible to hide.

"Because I like you."

Hank froze.

A moment later, the corner of his mouth lifted into a cold, humorless smile.

"Like me? You're just a kid. What do you know about love? How long do you think those feelings will last?"

"Forever!" she answered without hesitation. "Hank, I'll love you for the rest of my life."

Perhaps it was the certainty in her voice. Perhaps it was the sincerity in her eyes.

For the first time, Hank reached out and gently touched her cheek.

He let out a sigh before finally saying the words she had dreamed of hearing for so long.

"Jeanette, let's give this a try."

From that day forward, they officially became a couple.

They dated for three years. Hank was never particularly affectionate, but he gave her everything a boyfriend was supposed to give. Jeanette never dared ask for more.

Until tonight, when the conversation she overheard shattered the beautiful dream she had built for herself.

So that was why he sometimes stared at her face as though he had forgotten she was there.

She was a substitute.

So that was why he had been so terrified of her getting a scar.

She was a substitute.

So that was why, whenever they made love, he kept his eyes fixed on her face as he moved against her.

Because she was a substitute.

The realization tore through her. She sobbed until her chest ached and her throat burned. By the time she made it home, drenched from head to toe, she had no strength left.

She collapsed onto the floor, utterly broken.

She had no idea how much time passed before she slowly regained her senses.

The tears on her cheeks had dried, and her mind had finally cleared. Jeanette reached into her bag and pulled out a business card.

Half a month earlier, on a whim, she had gone to a bar and performed an original song she had written for Hank. After the performance, a talent scout approached her.

He told her she had a beautiful voice and striking looks. Had she ever considered becoming a professional singer? His company could send her overseas for three years of intensive private training and turn her into a top recording artist.

Singing was Jeanette's greatest passion. More than once, she had dreamed of becoming a star. Yet for the sake of staying by Hank's side, she had turned down the offer.

The talent scout had insisted on leaving his contact information anyway.

Now that she knew the truth, there was no reason to remain by Hank's side.

Staring at the phone number on the card, Jeanette raised her cold, pale hand and dialed it.

The moment the call connected, she cleared her hoarse, exhausted throat and spoke softly.

"Hello, this is Jeanette. I'd like to accept your offer and sign with your company."