Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 10

Clive messaged me almost immediately.[What do you mean?]A breakup, obviously.I didn't bother explaining. I blocked every way he could contact me and left that 12-person group chat as well.When I looked up again, I had just arrived outside the apartment complex we had rented off campus together.Clive didn't come back that night. He was probably continuing whatever Danielle and he had been doing before I interrupted them.Thinking that, I started packing. While sorting through my things, I came across a Polaroid photo.It was from high school. Back when I still had a crush on Clive, I had secretly taken it during a break. He was doing homework, and when he looked up, his gaze landed on me, gentle but distant.Back then, my face had gone hot. Afraid he would notice my feelings, I had fled in a panic.I held that Polaroid for a long time as the sky outside slowly darkened.Then, I slipped the photo into the very bottom of my suitcase and zipped it shut.Sitting on the flo

With all my luggage in tow, I checked into a hotel and settled in again.In my hands was the admission letter I had kept tucked away all this time. Clive hadn't wanted me to leave him, so even after I got accepted, I never seriously planned on enrolling.I had only carefully sealed the letter and kept it as a keepsake. I was even still thinking about our upcoming third anniversary, just five days away.Now, holding the letter against my chest, all I felt was relief. I was glad I hadn't done anything foolish.I stayed at the hotel for three days. My flight was scheduled for that evening.Before leaving, I went back to my old campus to pick up a few things. The school was packed, and it was even livelier than orientation week. Colorful banners fluttered all around the grounds.[Daybreak Band Graduation Showcase. One last wild night tomorrow!]There was a smaller line underneath.[Special Guest: Danielle Medina.]People passing by chatted excitedly."Did you hear? Clive paid o

The music started, and Clive sang and played on muscle memory alone. The performance still won roaring applause, but his eyes kept drifting back to that empty seat.Every time the lights dimmed, he hoped that when they came back on, a familiar figure would be sitting there.When Danielle came onstage as the special guest, the atmosphere hit a small peak.She was wearing the dress Clive had specially picked out for her, walking over with a bright smile as she reached for his arm.Clive almost instinctively stepped aside. Danielle's smile froze for a split second.During the duet, his mind wasn't in it at all. He almost came in on the wrong beat.Danielle tried to interact with him during the instrumental break, her eyes full of feeling, but all he felt was irritation.His head was full of Julia.He kept thinking about how Julia's eyes sparkled when she listened to him sing, her red nose after he had made her cry, and her standing on her tiptoes last year on this exact day, clums

Danielle's face went pale in an instant. She hadn't expected Clive to remember things so clearly, let alone call her out so bluntly."You misunderstood me. I was just worried you would be fooled by her…" "Fooled by her?"Clive finally sat up straight. He stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, the motion sharp and forceful."Danielle, how many years have we known each other? I've always treated you like a little sister. I thought you were just a bit willful, a bit spoiled. Every time Julia and I fought, it was almost all because of you. I used to think she was overreacting. I thought you were innocent and had no ulterior motives."He stared into Danielle's increasingly panicked eyes, every word clear and cold."But looking back now, I realize I was an idiot. Every time Julia and I had even the smallest conflict, you just happened to show up. You were either crying and needing comfort or saying things that made her misunderstand. That time at the hotel, were you really in a bad

The color drained from Clive's face. His lips moved a few times, but no sound came out."Julia…" he murmured, stepping half a pace closer. He reached out like he wanted to touch me, then froze with his hand hanging in midair."I really… I know I messed everything up. I didn't do anything with Danielle. I regret it every single day. I wish I had told you, and I wish I hadn't made you mad. That performance was actually for our third anniversary. I prepared…""Clive," I interrupted him again. This time, my tone was firm and unmistakably final."The past, whether good or bad, isn't something I want to revisit. What was true or false doesn't matter to me anymore. What we had ended a long time ago. Please don't come looking for me again. You're disturbing my life."After saying that, I didn't look back at his pale face or his unsteady posture. I hugged the books to my chest and turned away.The sunlight was still warm. Golden maple leaves rustled softly underfoot.I could feel Cli