Chapter 3

The pencil case in my hand slipped to the floor, and someone happened to kick it. Pens, erasers, and a ruler were scattered everywhere. My student ID skidded a few steps away.

"Oh, shit. I'm so sorry. I didn't see you!" A girl I didn't know apologized to me.

I didn't even look at her; I just hurried after my student ID. My fingertips were just about to touch it when someone else kicked it. I paled and stumbled after it.

Just then, a hand reached out and caught it. Callum's expression was icy as he looked at the girl. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

She sputtered. "I should be asking you that! It was an accident, and I already apologized!"

Callum bent down, picked up my scattered stationery, and shoved them back into my hands. "I'll walk you to your exam room."

I held my pencil case close and followed him with my head down. As we brushed past each other, that girl muttered under her breath, "God, what a drama queen."

I recognized that voice. She was Rita's friend—she'd waited outside the apartment complex that day.

Callum headed off to find his own exam room after dropping me off at mine. It felt like we'd gone back to how things used to be, but all that coldness and disdain from before… I knew I hadn't imagined it.

Honestly, I couldn't figure him out anymore.

…

At last, we were done with finals. Even the air on campus felt lighter.

That night, after I finished sorting through my study materials, I wanted to relax and scroll on my phone for a bit. I ended up seeing Rita's social media update.

She'd taken a picture of a keyboard. The caption read, "Thanks to a good friend for this. The keys really feel amazing!"

The keyboard was exactly the same as the one I'd given Callum. Even the alphabets on the three customized keycaps were identical. It was my birthday gift to him, and he'd given it to Rita.

The hurt and anger hit me all at once, and my eyes burned. I called him. "You gave the birthday present I got you to Rita?"

Callum just made a nonchalant sound of acknowledgment. "I didn't really like the feel of blue switches. She liked it, so I gave the keyboard to her."

I tightened my grip on the phone, and my voice shot up before I could stop it. "I had that custom-made for you. You really don't think it's messed up to give away a gift I bought you?"

He sounded a little impatient. "Come on, it's just a keyboard. Do you have to make such a big deal out of it?"

My voice shook. "This isn't about the keyboard, Callum. You trampled all over my feelings."

There was a pause on the other end, then he took a deep breath. "Alright, alright. I'll get it back from her in a few days, okay?"

"Forget it."

For the first time in my life, I was the one who hung up on him.

…

From that day on, Callum and I stopped talking altogether. Things stayed like that until our class decided to have a get-together.

I really didn't want to go, but it was our first gathering after graduation. My parents encouraged me to show up. Mrs. Rook even pulled Callum aside and told him to look after me.

It was the first time we'd seen each other since the fight. On the way there, he looked a little annoyed. Thanks to what had happened before, I didn't try to make conversation either. We went the whole way in silence, like two strangers who happened to know each other too well.

At the restaurant, everyone chatted happily. I sipped my juice and just listened quietly.

Due to the condition of my eyes, I couldn't stare at a computer screen for long. I also had to avoid being out in harsh sunlight. At night, I practically turned half-blind. Gaming, shopping, chasing celebrities—I couldn't join in on any of it.

I'd barely been sitting there for a few minutes and already wanted to go home.

Then, someone suggested playing Truth or Dare. After the bottle spun past a few people, it stopped in front of Callum. He chose truth.

Someone said with a teasing grin, "Callum, you're always looking out for Teresa. Do you like her?"