A Clear Sky After Clouds

I passed by his bedroom door and accidentally overheard his conversation with a friend.

“You really don’t have feelings for Celia? Then why do you always look out for her?”

“She’s too frail. My mom forces me to take care of her. It’s so annoying. I go to school to study, not to be a nurse!”

The next day, I submitted my boarding application to the school, packed my bags, and said goodbye to the Warrington family.

---

Chapter 1

I was born with deficiencies and spent a full three months in the ICU after birth.

Although I started life at a disadvantage—physically weak, occasionally slow to react—I always felt I was no different from anyone else.

But my parents never stopped worrying about me. Even a minor scratch made them want to drag me to the hospital for a full check-up.

When I got into university, I was admitted to a school far from home in the Capital City, finally escaping my parents’ tight surveillance.

Little did I know, my mother had specifically contacted her old friend in the Capital City—Aunt Lydia.

Aunt Lydia lived near the school. When she found out her son, Gavin, was also at the same university, she directly suggested I stay with her.

My parents made the decision without even asking for my opinion.

Aunt Lydia and her husband were college classmates with my parents.

Back then, Aunt Lydia’s husband failed in his business venture and accumulated massive debts. My parents gave almost everything they had to help their family get through the crisis.

Aunt Lydia was also fully aware of my health condition. She had even traveled from another city to visit me in the ICU back then.

So, after finally escaping my parents’ control, I ended up under Aunt Lydia’s supervision instead.

Unfortunately, I’ve always been gentle-natured and didn’t know how to refuse, so I eventually moved into Aunt Lydia’s house.

My arrival did bring quite a bit of inconvenience to Aunt Lydia’s son, Gavin.

For instance, his gaming room was commandeered to become my bedroom.

For instance, the bathroom that once belonged only to him now had a girl’s belongings in it.

For instance, sometimes when I had afternoon classes, he had to wait for me to finish before we could go home together.

Gavin was like the male lead template from high school romance novels.

He was six-foot-two, preferred white T-shirts, and was an incredible basketball player.

He excelled academically, was handsome with a cool demeanor, yet his smile could make you feel like spring. He was the most dazzling presence on campus.

So, I couldn’t resist either. In our daily proximity, I quietly developed a crush on him.

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Chapter 2

Gavin got his driver’s license as soon as he turned eighteen. He drove to and from school every day and would give me a ride as well.

From the beginning, when I nervously got into his car under the jealous glares of countless girls, to later secretly feeling delighted.

They say the moon is easier to reach from a nearby tower, but with my slow and passive nature, I simply couldn’t take the initiative.

At home, the only chance I had to be alone with Gavin was when I brought him fruit after dinner.

Every evening after dinner, I would help Aunt Lydia clear the dishes while she washed fruit nearby.

“Celia, take this to Gavin for me.”

Aunt Lydia pushed a plate of fruit toward me and carried another plate to the living room.

“Come down and eat after you’re done. The cherries are especially fresh today.”

I replied and carried the fruit upstairs.

When I reached Gavin’s door, I knocked twice but got no answer.

Was he gaming?

I hesitated, wondering if I should knock harder, when the bathroom door nearby opened.

A cloud of steam rushed from the bathroom into the hallway. Gavin walked out, drying his wet hair with a towel.

What a picture of a handsome man emerging from a bath…

While I was staring at him, lost in thought, he walked up to me and took the fruit plate from my hands.

The fresh scent of body wash filled the air.

And we used the same brand of body wash…

My cheeks burned. Feeling a little guilty, I let down the bangs I had tucked behind my ears.

“Something else?”

“Uh… no.”

I turned to go downstairs, but he called me back.

“Hey…”

“Hmm?”

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll be busy with the school lab. You’ll have to come home on your own at night.”

I agreed readily, but a wave of disappointment washed over me.

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Chapter 3

The next day after class, I quickly packed up and ran to the school parking lot.

I saw Gavin’s car parked quietly, but he was nowhere in sight.

Only then did I remember—I was supposed to go home alone today.

So I turned and headed toward the school gate. As I passed the intersection leading to Gavin’s teaching building, I unconsciously glanced in that direction.

Coincidentally, I saw him walking out from the corner, carrying a stack of materials, a faint smile on his lips.

Beside him was a strikingly elegant girl with long hair tied in a low ponytail, making her look even softer.

They walked into the building together, chatting and laughing, until their figures gradually disappeared from sight.

When I’m feeling down, I have a habit of biting my lower lip. The pain sobered me up a little.

I trudged toward the school gate, feeling lost. Suddenly, a girl blocked my way.

“Excuse me, are you Gavin’s sister? Could you give me his WeChat?”

From the very beginning, I had made it clear that our families were just friends and that I was only staying at their house.

Somehow, the rumor spread that I was his cousin or some kind of relative.

“Sorry… I’m not his sister, and I’m not really in a position to share his contact information.” I blurted it all out in one breath, tightened my grip on my bag strap, and brushed past her.

That was the first time I had ever rejected one of his admirers—and one of the few times in my life I had ever refused anyone.

I walked quickly, not daring to look back to see if the girl had followed me. My head was hot, and my heart was racing.

Like a headless fly, I ran straight into a bicycle. I twisted my ankle and scraped my hands. Only then did I snap back to reality.

“Are you okay?”

The guy on the bike and some nearby students came over to help me up. I gritted my teeth against the pain in my ankle, feeling embarrassed by the crowd around me.

The guy insisted on taking me home. To escape the awkwardness of being stared at, I reluctantly got on his bike.

When the bike stopped in front of Gavin’s villa, he exclaimed in surprise, “Isn’t this Gavin’s place?”

Aunt Lydia happened to come out to water the plants. Seeing me limping off the bike, she rushed over with a flurry of “Oh dear, oh dear.”

It turned out the guy who hit me was named Ryan. He had been Gavin’s friend since high school and was also at the same university as us.

Because of my injury, Gavin got an inexplicable scolding from Aunt Lydia when he got home.

He came back after ten at night, looking exhausted. After being lectured by Aunt Lydia, he irritably threw his shirt over his shoulder and went upstairs.

“This kid!” Seeing Gavin’s attitude, Aunt Lydia wanted to go after him.

I quickly grabbed her arm. “Aunt Lydia, the lab has been really busy lately. He came home so late—he might not have even eaten yet. Besides, I’m an adult now. I don’t need someone to drive me to and from school every day.”

Hearing this, Aunt Lydia’s face showed both helplessness and concern. Finally, she softened her tone. “Then I’ll make him a late-night snack. Can you take it up to him later?”

“Sure!”

---

Chapter 4

Because of my ankle injury, Gavin was forced to drive me to and from school every day. He would drop me off at home and then head back to campus for the lab.

I felt bad about taking up his time and tried to refuse several times.

Gavin looked out the window, tapping his index finger impatiently on the steering wheel.

“Stop dawdling. Get in.”

A week later, my foot finally healed. At the dinner table, I suggested taking the bus to and from school.

Aunt Lydia initially disagreed, but after much persuasion, she finally relented.

Gavin glanced at me but said nothing, though I could tell he was in a good mood.

But as they say, the weather is unpredictable. I hadn’t even been taking the bus for a few days.

And then, of all things, a taxi crashed into the bus.

It was during the放学 rush, and the bus was packed. All the seats were taken.

I was standing next to a row of seats, holding onto the handle on the back of a seat.

Suddenly, a taxi slammed into the bus from the side. The force of the impact sent almost everyone standing flying.

I was thrown from the left side of the bus to the right, crashing into the door. At that moment, I felt like my whole body was shattering.

The injured passengers were groaning and crying out. I managed to prop myself up against a pole.

Fortunately, before I lost consciousness, the ambulance arrived.

Since I was near the door, I was the first one loaded onto a stretcher.

Once inside the ambulance, my consciousness grew foggier, and I blacked out.

When I woke up, I was in a hospital room reeking of disinfectant.

Aunt Lydia, Uncle Gavin, and Gavin himself were all in my room.

I tried to move a little and felt bandages on my head and foot. There was also a neck brace around my neck.

“Celia, you’re awake? Do you remember who I am?”

I nodded weakly.

“I’ll go get the doctor.” Gavin left a brief remark and walked quickly out of the room.

Aunt Lydia immediately pulled out her phone to call my parents and update them. Uncle Gavin asked if I felt any discomfort anywhere else.

Soon, Gavin returned with the doctor.

After an examination, the doctor said I had a mild concussion from the blow to my head, along with various other injuries. I would need to stay in bed for two weeks and then come back for a follow-up.

After the doctor left, Aunt Lydia called my parents again, full of guilt, to explain the situation in detail. When she hung up, she told me my parents were on their way to the Capital City.

I thought that might be for the best—at least I wouldn’t have to trouble Aunt Lydia every day.

After hanging up, Aunt Lydia turned around and scolded Gavin again, saying that if he had driven me home, this wouldn’t have happened.

Gavin endured it for a while, but finally, he couldn’t take it anymore. He grabbed his bag and stood up from the sofa.

“Even if I drove her home, I would’ve taken the same road. That damn taxi could’ve hit me too. Would you only be satisfied if we both ended up in an accident?”

With that, he walked out of the room without looking back.

Aunt Lydia, furious at being talked back to, wanted to chase after him. I instinctively tried to get up from the bed to stop her, but a sharp pain in my arm sent me crashing back down.

Fortunately, Uncle Gavin held her back.

“It was an accident. Who knew that taxi driver would get into an argument with a passenger and suddenly lose control of the wheel? Why are you blaming our son?”

“Yeah, Aunt Lydia, it was entirely the taxi driver’s fault. He hurt so many passengers. No one could have predicted that.”

Aunt Lydia knew she was wrong to take it out on Gavin. She didn’t say anything more and silently picked up the bowl of congee that had been cooling on the bedside table, feeding me spoonful by spoonful.

That evening, Aunt Lydia wanted to stay and take care of me, but I insisted on spending the night alone in the hospital.

Aunt Lydia had arranged for a private room and a 24-hour private nurse.

The room was decorated like a hotel, offering a small sense of warmth amidst the smell of disinfectant.

But the first night in the hospital was especially tough. I’m not used to sleeping in unfamiliar beds, I couldn’t turn over, and my back itched.

Calling the private nurse over for something so trivial felt like an overreaction, so I just rubbed against the sheets silently.

Suddenly, the door creaked open a crack. I thought it was the private nurse checking on me and felt relieved.

But the person who appeared was Gavin.

---

Chapter 5

“You… what are you doing here?”

He stood at the door and asked, “Can I come in?”

“Yeah.”

He opened the door but didn’t close it.

The light from the hallway cast him as if he were a deity stepping out of the glow.

He didn’t turn on the light. He walked over to my bed.

That’s when I noticed he was carrying… my pillow.

“This…?”

He rubbed his nose awkwardly. “I noticed you bought this pillow when you first came to our house. I thought you might sleep better with your own pillow.”

He leaned down, gently cradled the back of my head, pulled out the original pillow, tossed it aside, and replaced it with mine.

My pillow was designed to support my neck, but with the neck brace on, it still wasn’t very comfortable.

Gavin, who had just adjusted the pillow, clearly noticed this too. For a moment, he looked awkward.

“Thank you.” Maybe because I was a little nervous, or maybe because my mouth was hidden under the blanket, my voice came out muffled.

“And sorry you got blamed for no reason.”

Gavin clicked his tongue and said indifferently, “I’m used to it.”

Another itch crept up my back, and I couldn’t help but shiver.

Gavin noticed and touched my blanket. “Cold?”

My face flushed red. I shook my head.

Suddenly, he looked awkward. “Need to use the bathroom?”

“No!!”

My hands were sweating under the blanket. Under Gavin’s questioning gaze, I finally gave in. “I… my back itches.”

My voice grew softer and softer until I wished I could bury myself entirely under the covers.

I was still being shy, but he didn’t seem to care at all.

He just sat down on the chair by the bed and rolled up his right sleeve with his left hand.

Was he… was he going to scratch my itch for me?

He gently slipped his hand under my back. I could clearly feel that his hand, when spread open, was almost as wide as my back.

“Here?”

“A… a little lower.”

His hand moved down a bit. My entire spine felt like it was melting.

“Right there…”

He scratched lightly with his fingers, and every movement sent a jolt straight to my heart.

I felt like I could barely breathe, and my face was burning hot.

“Still itchy?” Only then did he notice how red my face was. He slowly realized that what he was doing might be inappropriate.

He pulled his hand out abruptly, but the warmth on my back lingered.

“Sorry, I… I overstepped.”

I tried to act casual. If I didn’t feel embarrassed, then no one would be embarrassed.

“It’s fine. I feel much better. It’s getting late. You should head back.”

“Okay.”

He stood up and walked out of the room, gently closing the door behind him.

In the silence, I could clearly hear the sound of my own heartbeat.

---

Chapter 6

The weather in the Capital City had been terrible this year. At the start of the semester, it was nearly 40 degrees Celsius every day.

Now that autumn had just begun, it had been raining heavily for days, and the temperature had plummeted.

Gavin’s grandmother suddenly fell ill, and Aunt Lydia had to go visit her.

My parents’ flight was canceled due to the weather, and they switched to the high-speed rail, but with the National Day holiday approaching, they couldn’t get tickets.

Uncle Gavin was too busy at work, and although I had a private nurse, Aunt Lydia still insisted that Gavin visit me every day.

So the next afternoon, Gavin came to the hospital with the soup Aunt Lydia had kept warm in the pot.

But he wasn’t alone. Behind him was the same girl I had seen him with at school.

“This is my lab partner, Joanna,” Gavin introduced briefly.

Just a lab partner?

I nodded at Joanna. “Hi.”

Gavin placed the soup on the small table by the bed and was about to open it when Joanna stopped him.

“Let me pour it for her. You go wash the fruit you bought.”

Gavin stepped aside and took the fruit to the bathroom to wash them.

Joanna sat down by my bed and helped pour the soup into a bowl.

She was really beautiful, with an elegant demeanor, and her voice was soft and gentle.

But then, a flicker of disdain crossed her face. She said to me in a low voice, “Little girl, you really don’t take care of yourself. All this just to get Gavin to drive you to school every day? Quite the stunt.”

“What?” I thought I misheard, but her expression told me I hadn’t.

I glanced toward the bathroom. The sound of running water continued, and she had spoken so softly that there was no way Gavin could hear.

“First a twisted ankle, now a car accident. I understand the kind of girl you are. But now you’re affecting other people.”

I didn’t understand why a girl I had just met would think so poorly of me. I also didn’t understand why I had to endure her sarcasm for no reason.

I was both angry and hurt, but I couldn’t even find the words to defend myself.

Gavin came out with the washed fruit. She immediately switched back to her sweet, gentle demeanor.

Gavin placed the fruit on the small table and politely urged me to eat more fruit to replenish my nutrients.

“Gavin, the professor is waiting for us to go back,” Joanna reminded him softly.

“Okay.” He replied, picked up his bag, and said, “I’m heading back to school. I’ll come see you when I’m done.”

I nodded, said goodbye, and watched them leave with mixed feelings.

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Chapter 7

That evening, my parents called to say they had finally managed to get train tickets and would arrive in the Capital City the next afternoon.

It was the best news I had received in days. Even though I used to want to get away from them, after months apart, I really missed them.

The next afternoon, my parents showed up at the hospital carrying a bunch of my favorite local snacks.

Seeing my “pitiful” state, my mom’s eyes reddened first. My dad stood by silently, his face dark as he examined my injuries. Despite his stern expression, his eyes were filled with concern.

An extra bed was added to the room, and my parents stayed with me at the hospital every day.

Gavin still came to visit every afternoon, but Joanna never came with him again.

Although Gavin was always polite and proper in front of my parents, I could still sense his impatience.

One time, when my parents stepped out, I called out to him.

“Gavin.”

He was sitting on the sofa looking at his phone. When I called his name, he held the phone in his lap and looked up at me, waiting for me to speak without saying a word.

Yep, definitely impatient.

“Um… my parents are here now. If you’re busy with school, you don’t have to come.”

“Okay.” He didn’t hesitate. He picked up his bag and stood up. “I’ll go now.”

Watching him walk out of the room without a second thought, the sudden silence felt lonely.

My heart ached a little. Things had been fine before, but ever since he came with Joanna that day, his attitude toward me had suddenly turned impatient.

What was his relationship with Joanna? Did he like her? And did she dislike me? Did he think, like she did, that I had gotten hurt just to cling to him?

In the following days, Gavin didn’t come. I tentatively brought up the idea of applying for a dormitory a few times.

My parents were both adamant that I should stay at Aunt Lydia’s house. They said home-cooked meals were healthier than what I’d get outside.

Later, Aunt Lydia returned from her hometown. The three of them spent every day in my room catching up, and the two weeks passed by in a lively atmosphere.

Thanks to my parents’ careful care, the doctor cleared me to go home and recover.

Aunt Lydia prepared a big feast to celebrate my discharge.

It was also on this day that I saw Gavin again after nearly two weeks.

The adults chatted endlessly at the table, while the two of us sat at the far end, quietly eating.

Suddenly, Aunt Lydia glanced my way and said jokingly, “I’ve always wanted a daughter.”

My heart skipped a beat. When someone says that, it often has another meaning.

I looked up at Gavin. Sure enough, his expression stiffened, and he looked annoyed.

I gripped my chopsticks tightly, silently praying Aunt Lydia would drop the subject.

“Celia is so sweet and lovely. Why didn’t our families arrange a marriage when you two were kids?”

As soon as Aunt Lydia finished speaking, Gavin put down his chopsticks, muttered a perfunctory “I’m full,” and went upstairs. But there was still half a bowl of rice left in his bowl. His attitude was obvious.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my dad’s face darken. Aunt Lydia and my mom looked a little awkward too. It was Uncle Gavin who broke the tension.

“My boy has a terrible temper and a thin skin. He’s nowhere near good enough for our Celia.”

Aunt Lydia changed the subject after that. Everyone was chatting and laughing again, except my dad, who still seemed a little upset. Only I felt a bitter ache in my heart.

---

Chapter 8

After another week of recovery at home, I was able to move around carefully without any major issues. I went to the hospital for a follow-up and was given the all-clear, so I could go back to school.

My parents returned to Cloud City, and I started riding with Gavin to and from school again.

The atmosphere in the car was tense. I tried to break the ice by talking about a popular movie that had just come out.

But I had only said a few words when he reached out with one hand and turned up the volume of the car stereo.

It happened to be playing a foreign hip-hop song. The car was filled with the pounding beat, completely drowning out my voice.

I fell silent. The vibration of the speakers pounded against my eardrums. I turned to look out the window, biting my lower lip hard, trying not to let the tears fall.

Why had he suddenly come to hate me so much?

After that, I stayed quiet whenever I was in his car. Even though the distance from school to home wasn’t long, I couldn’t take it anymore after a few days.

His attitude made me feel like my mere presence irritated him.

If that was the case…

“You don’t have to drive me home anymore. If Aunt Lydia asks, I’ll say you dropped me off at the gate.”

Before he could answer, I got out of the car. He didn’t agree or refuse. It wasn’t until I had walked a little way that I heard the engine start and the car drive away.

So, from that day on, we both kept up the unspoken agreement.

Every day, he drove me to school. After class, I took the bus home. At first, Aunt Lydia would ask if Gavin had driven me home, but she eventually stopped asking and just assumed he had.

One day after class, a professor asked me to deliver some documents to a teaching building near the east gate.

So, instead of leaving through my usual gate, I went through the one farthest from my department. It was a bit out of the way, but there was a long row of ginkgo trees.

November was the season for ginkgo leaves to fall. A thick layer of golden leaves covered the roadside. A few couples were strolling along the path, and some people were taking photos.

I followed slowly behind a couple as I walked toward the bus stop.

The girl in front was holding hands with the guy. Her head rested gently on his shoulder, and he affectionately ruffled her hair before planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

It was a beautiful scene—until the girl turned around.

She tilted her head to say something to the guy, but when her eyes caught me, she immediately pulled away from him.

The guy looked at her in confusion. Following her gaze, both of them turned to look at me.

The girl was Joanna…

But the guy wasn’t Gavin!

I was a little pleased at catching her in the act, but also angry.

From the hostility Joanna had shown me before, I had assumed she liked Gavin.

And after her hospital visit, Gavin’s attitude toward me had suddenly changed. I thought Joanna must have said something to him, which was why he was keeping his distance.

So I had assumed Gavin liked her too.

But now Joanna was being intimate with another guy. If she had nothing to hide, why would she pull away from him when she saw me?

We all stood there frozen for a few seconds. She quickly recovered from her initial guilt and walked up to me with an air of confidence and pride.

“I suggest you keep your mouth shut. Even if you say something, Gavin won’t believe you anyway.”

With that, she flicked her hair arrogantly, left the guy she had been flirting with, and walked back toward the school. The guy, looking confused, chased after her.

After they had disappeared, I realized my fists were clenched so tight they were covered in sweat.

Should I tell Gavin? Would he really not believe me? Did he really like Joanna?

---

Chapter 9

I went home, my mind full of worries, and found Aunt Lydia busy opening packages.

“Celia, you’re back! Can you help me sort these out?”

There was a pile of packages on the floor—cupcake wrappers and party decorations. Clearly, they were all party supplies.

“Aunt Lydia, are you throwing a party?”

“Oh, right, you don’t know yet? The day after tomorrow, Sunday, November 6th, is Gavin’s birthday. We’re planning to have a party at home this year.”

The day after tomorrow! So soon!

And I hadn’t even bought a birthday gift yet.

After helping Aunt Lydia organize everything, I went back to my room and checked my bank balance on my phone.

My mom had just sent me this month’s allowance. Since I only ate lunch at school and had dinner at home, I didn’t have many expenses. With this month’s allowance and what was left from last month, I had enough to buy a decent gift.

I searched online for what guys liked these days. After reading dozens of posts, I decided to go to the mall the next day and browse. I temporarily pushed the matter of Joanna to the back of my mind.

The next day after class, I headed straight to the mall. I wandered around for a while but couldn’t find anything suitable.

Then I saw a group of high school boys coming out of a basketball merchandise store. It reminded me that Gavin loved playing basketball, so I walked into the store.

As soon as I entered, I noticed it wasn’t like an ordinary sports store. The displays were high-end, and one wall was covered in signed basketballs.

The owner greeted me warmly and asked what I was looking for.

“Excuse me, do you have a basketball signed by LeBron James?” I pointed to the wall of signed basketballs.

The owner looked in the direction I was pointing, paused for a moment, and then put on a friendly smile.

“These are my personal collection. I don’t usually sell them. Little girl… are you buying them for your boyfriend?”

Boyfriend?

“No… no, it’s for a friend who likes LeBron James.” I quickly waved my hands, my cheeks flushing.

The owner looked like he understood. He carefully took down a basketball from the shelf. It was still protected by a layer of plastic wrap.

He held the ball in his hands and showed it to me, explaining that it was signed by James at some game, something about a replica and an auction. He went on about a bunch of terms I didn’t understand.

Basically, he was saying it wasn’t easy for him to get this ball.

My eyes sparkled as I looked at the owner. “Can you sell it? I have a very important friend who really loves LeBron James!”

The owner pretended to look troubled, but in the end, he was moved by my sincerity. “Alright, ten thousand. I’ll reluctantly sell it to you.”

“Ten thousand?! That’s so expensive!”

I was shocked. I only had a little over eight thousand in my account.

I looked at the basketball regretfully and decided to forget it.

“How about this? Since your friend and I share the same passion, and I appreciate how thoughtful you are in picking out a gift for him, it’s fate. Nine thousand five hundred, how about that?”

“But… I only have eight thousand.”

“Then eight thousand! Let’s call it a friendship price!”

“Deal!”

And so, I went home happily, carrying the beautifully wrapped basketball.

---

Chapter 10

The next morning, I was busy in the kitchen with Aunt Lydia, preparing ingredients.

We had hired a party planning company to decorate the backyard. The workers were busy blowing up balloons, tying them, and setting up the framework. In just a few hours, a proper birthday venue had come together.

As night fell, I helped arrange the desserts and drinks, sweating from all the work.

I went upstairs to shower, changed into a dress, and even put on a little makeup.

When I came downstairs, Gavin’s friends and classmates had already started arriving.

Ryan, the guy who had accidentally hit me with his bike, was the first to spot me and came over to say hi.

As I greeted them, I looked around for Gavin. Just then, one of his friends asked where the birthday boy was. Ryan said he had gone to pick up a few more people.

As if on cue, the sound of his car engine reached us.

I ran to the front yard and saw Joanna getting out of the passenger seat.

The moment she saw me, she lifted her chin arrogantly, a look of contempt in her eyes.

As she walked in, she ignored me standing by the door and went straight to Aunt Lydia to greet her.

Strangely, Aunt Lydia, who was usually so warm and friendly, completely ignored Joanna’s polite greeting. Instead, she called me over to help seat the guests in the backyard.

Joanna’s eyes were like a viper’s tongue, sending chills down my spine.

And it didn’t end there. Aunt Lydia seated Joanna at the far end of the table, farthest from Gavin. Joanna tried several times to move closer to the front, but Aunt Lydia would “remind” her to go back to her seat.

Honestly, seating arrangements didn’t really matter. But Aunt Lydia had moved her to the back twice in a row. Anyone with eyes could see she didn’t like Joanna.

Why was that? Had Aunt Lydia had a run-in with Joanna before? But Joanna seemed to be meeting Aunt Lydia for the first time.

Gavin came downstairs after changing his clothes. Joanna, undeterred, immediately attached herself to him, trying to talk.

Aunt Lydia came out carrying a bowl of fruit salad. Seeing Joanna standing next to Gavin, she deliberately walked between them and placed the salad on the table.

“Young lady, why are you up here again? Go back to your seat. We’re about to serve the food.” With that, Aunt Lydia pulled Joanna back to the far end of the table. Joanna looked back at Gavin, sending him a silent plea for help.

Gavin, being perceptive, thought for a moment and then looked at me.

He walked over to me and tapped the table with his knuckle. “Come with me.”

I clutched the hem of my dress, suddenly nervous.

I stood up and followed Gavin upstairs.

He stood with his back to me for a moment, as if holding something in.

I stood anxiously behind him, feeling like a child who had done something wrong.

“Celia, can you stop meddling in my friendships? Don’t go running to my mom and saying things. Joanna and I are just classmates. Even if there was something between us, it’s none of your business!”

His words were cold, but I didn’t understand a single one.

What meddling in friendships? What tattling?

Had Joanna badmouthed me to Gavin after I caught her with that other guy?

“Gavin, you’ve misunderstood me. Did Joanna say…”

“Enough. Only you know whether you did it or not.”

With that, he brushed past me and went downstairs, his sleeve lightly grazing my shoulder.

I stood there dumbfounded, slowly processing what had just happened. My nose stung, and my eyes burned with heat.

I wiped at my tears, my hands trembling uncontrollably.

The second-floor hallway overlooked the living room. Anyone passing by downstairs could easily see my pathetic state.

I retreated to my room in shame, leaning against the door before I dared to cry out loud.

Joanna’s words echoed in my mind: “Even if you say something, Gavin won’t believe you anyway.”

But why? Why did he have to misunderstand me like this? Did he really think I was that kind of person?

I sobbed quietly until I heard Aunt Lydia calling for me downstairs.

My makeup was ruined, so I washed it off and splashed cold water on my face. After a while, I had calmed down enough that there was no trace of tears.

When I went back downstairs, the backyard was still lively. Aunt Lydia saw me and pulled me to the front to cut the cake.

Aunt Lydia led me to the front of the crowd. Gavin’s gaze briefly swept over me but didn’t linger.

As everyone sang “Happy Birthday,” I quietly slipped out of the crowd. I figured Gavin wouldn’t want to open his eyes after making a wish and see me anyway.

Joanna had eventually taken my original seat. Aunt Lydia tried to move her again, but Gavin called her off.

I sat quietly in the back, sipping champagne. It was sweet on my tongue, but bitter in my heart.

So I drank glass after glass, hoping the sweetness would slowly seep into my heart.

---

Chapter 11

I got drunk. But not completely.

I remember falling onto the lawn. As I fell, I grabbed a balloon, and the string got tangled around my arm.

Aunt Lydia made Gavin carry me back to my room. I think I buried my face in the crook of his neck and said something. What was it?

“Joanna likes more than just you. But I only like you.”

I’ve lost my mind! Did I really say that?!

I groaned and rubbed my head. Now Gavin would definitely think I was badmouthing Joanna.

And I had already made up my mind today that since Gavin always misunderstood me without knowing the facts, I didn’t want to like a Gavin like that anymore.

How did I end up confessing so stupidly?!

I turned on my phone. It was just before two in the morning.

I quietly opened my door. The living room was still bright and noisy. I peeked out and saw Gavin’s friends playing cards.

I looked toward Gavin’s room and saw light coming from under the door.

Just as I was debating whether to go explain myself to Gavin, I heard my name.

“You really don’t like Celia? Then why do you care so much about her?” It was Ryan’s voice. “Don’t think I don’t know. After Celia leaves school, you stare at the security camera feed from your house until you see her get home safely before you can focus on your lab work.”

“She’s weak and sickly. My mom forces me to take care of her. It’s annoying. I’m here to study, not to be a nurse.”

“I really am tired of her.”

The disgust in his voice lashed against me like a whip. My legs wobbled, and I took a step back.

I quietly retreated into my room. The moment I closed the door, the tears came, and I couldn’t stop them.

I looked at the beautifully wrapped basketball on the table—the birthday gift I had never gotten to give him.

He was so annoyed with me. He would probably be annoyed just seeing my gift.

Crying, I pulled out the suitcase I had stashed under the bed and frantically started throwing things into it.

Halfway through packing, my head felt heavy, and I fell asleep on the bed.

I drifted in and out of sleep all night. One moment, I was hearing Gavin telling me not to meddle in his friendships. The next, I was hearing him tell Ryan that he found me annoying.

At a little past five in the morning, before dawn, I woke up.

I continued packing. After washing up, I packed my toiletries too.

Aunt Lydia had probably been up late last night and wouldn’t be up early today. So I made myself a simple breakfast.

I sat in my usual seat at the table, eating, and stared blankly at Gavin’s seat for a while.

I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Thinking it was Aunt Lydia, I turned around—but it was Gavin.

He stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking at me with an unreadable expression.

Suddenly remembering my drunken confession last night, I didn’t greet him as usual. I avoided his gaze and turned back to my breakfast.

He came over to get some water. He glanced at the overst