That evening, I didn't bother waiting for Felix after school. I wasn't going to wait for him anymore. Halfway home, I heard some kicking sounds from behind me. I knew it was him, but I didn't turn back to look at him.I still liked him, but from now onward, I would keep my feelings to myself. Liking him would now only be my own problem. As time passed, I was sure he would soon disappear from my life.Since then, I never went to school with him anymore. Although we would still bump into each other occasionally, I would only nod politely at him without saying anything else.There were many times I saw him stopping by the roadside as if he was waiting for me. He'd bite his lips like there was something he wanted to tell me, but I'd always pretend that I never noticed him and just walk past every time.My classmates didn't quite believe me when I said I didn't want to have anything more to do with him the last time at the podium. After all, I'd been stuck to him like glue for more than a d

As time slipped away, both our families were back to being civil with each other. However, we weren't as passionate and inviting with each other anymore. Also, it was as if there was now a screen separating me from Felix.I never entered his room again. I didn't even go to his house often anymore. Whenever we were invited over for dinner, I'd always find an excuse to skip it. I didn't want to be alone with Felix under the same roof anymore. I wanted to stay silent and keep my distance.During New Year's Eve, Mom had initially thought of having a celebratory dinner at home by ourselves. However, Uncle Austin and Aunt Mel kept inviting us over for dinner and refused to take no for an answer. Mom and Dad were running out of excuses not to go, and they eventually gave in.As for me, I never planned on attending the dinner in the first place. It was a holiday, and I wanted to have a good rest. Most importantly, I didn't want to be anywhere close to him.If I came near him, my mind would ins

There was a female student in the next class named Lilac Hawthorn. She was a new transfer student from a different city. She had a small frame and a round face and wore her hair short. Every time she smiled, two dimples would appear on her cheeks that made her look sweet and endearing.I saw her walking with Felix many times at school. I'd stare and stare at their hands that always seemed to be intertwined. My heart would break each time I saw them together.The day after SATs, I saw Felix pulling her to a corner and telling her that he would go to the same college she was going to. He said that he wanted to be her knight in shining armor and protect her for the rest of his life.When I heard that, I swore my heart felt like it was smashed into a million pieces.There was only so much time and energy one could spend on others. Since Felix decided to be Lilac's knight in shining armor, there was no way he could also be my guardian angel at the same time. It was just a feeble attempt

They said mothers knew best. Well, Mom wiped her tears away on my shirt and said, "I did some research online and learned that Lincoln University is a great place for you. Their watercolor fine arts course is more famous than the one at Jesselton College."Remember to study hard and do your best to get your master's degree and doctorate there, okay? Your father and I will be retiring soon. If you decide to stay there for work, we can both move there to accompany you. Your dad will have fun experiencing the four seasons up in the north, especially winter.""Why are you crying? Isn't Colin there as well? He's a lot more reliable than Felix, and he also takes good care of Luna. With him around, Luna won't feel excluded."I knew that Mom and Dad loved me and were worried about me. Their words managed to put me at ease.Back then, I had been so focused on leaving Felix behind that I did my own research and followed my guts. I'd totally forgotten that Uncle Austin had another older son w

I felt a pang in my heart. The sweet, juicy watermelon immediately turned sour in my mouth.I kept my silence as I frowned and tossed the watermelon skin back onto the table. Then, I wiped myself clean with the towel.Was that a harmless insult? Or did he really look down on me that much?He was perfect. As someone who'd had a crush on him for the longest time ever, how much harder did I have to work to shift my affection to somebody else?I didn't know if I was destined to spend the rest of my life alone while waiting and hoping that my childhood sweetheart would finally come to his senses."Felix White, you're a meanie. Can't you stop being so cruel to me?" I whined inwardly.It was bad enough that he didn't like me. But he didn't have to rob me of my peace either.Please, could he just leave me the fuck alone?…Both our families still spent Christmas Eve together.Mom, Dad, and I were all quickly ushered over to Uncle Austin's house early in the morning. Mom then looked a