Chapter 3: The Day I Stopped WaitingStrangers in a Second

For years, I would do anything my parents asked just to get their attention, and they would praise me without hesitation.

"Colin, you're all grown up now and know how to behave."

"You're such a good boy. We're so proud of you."

Every time I heard those words, my starved heart would warm. But now, I didn't want to keep hurting myself for the sake of that pitiful little bit of love.

I looked at them expressionlessly and answered, "I said I'm not eating it. If you want some, be my guest."

With that, I turned and went into my room.

"Colin, is that the way to talk to your mother? Think you can talk back to me now?"

"That boy is getting more rebellious by the day. There's nothing likable about him anymore."

Their remarks followed me from behind.

I leaned against the door, feeling tears prick at my eyes, but I held them back.

…

In the class group chat, the class president had invited everyone to get together for a farewell dinner.

I had barely stepped out of the house when Amelia blocked my path. Her eyes were slightly red, making her look like a wounded puppy. "Colin, it's been five whole days. You won't talk to me or even see me. Do you not want me anymore? Even if you're mad, you can't give me the silent treatment like this. It's going to hurt our relationship."

Looking at her pitiful expression, I felt my resolve soften.

I couldn't bring myself to say anything cold to her, so I let her take my hand and lead me to the car.

We went to the place where everyone was meeting.

At one point, I stepped outside to take a phone call. When I came back, my classmates were playing a game of "Never Have I Ever."

Somehow, Amelia and Caleb had ended up sitting together, bickering as usual.

A sour feeling settled in my chest, but I said nothing and found a seat.

The next round began.

The class president held up a finger and said, "After the SATs, my crush finally fell for me too."

Everyone lowered their fingers, except for Amelia and me. All eyes turned toward us, followed by a chorus of teasing.

I looked at Amelia and remembered all the little ways we had cherished each other over the years. Warmth spread through my chest.

Everyone knew we were childhood sweethearts. I had always been the little shadow she couldn't shake off. And Amelia had always protected me, putting me first.

From the moment I first realized what it meant to have a crush, I had loved her with all my heart.

After the SATs, she confessed her feelings to me, and we naturally became a couple.

A nosy classmate looked at me and asked, "Neither of you put your fingers down. Don't tell me it was a mutual crush?"

I nodded, tacitly admitting it.

Someone suddenly shouted, "No way. Wasn't Amelia's crush Caleb? She just admitted they're dating."

The moment those words were spoken, everyone fell silent.

I stared at Amelia and Caleb in shock.

They were sitting close together, and his cheeks were flushed. As for her, she made no attempt to explain.

"Quit gossiping. Let's start the next round."

It was essentially an admission that what our classmate had just said was true.

The way everyone looked at me changed, and they began whispering among themselves.

Humiliation washed over me in an instant. I got up and left the private room.

I had barely made it a few steps outside when Amelia grabbed my hand from behind. "Listen to me. It's not what you think. A girl who'd confessed to Caleb before was harassing him, so I told her we were dating to get her to leave."

"That girl is gone now. So, why didn't you explain?"

"Caleb felt like it would be embarrassing for him." Amelia sounded helpless.

Suddenly, I felt exhausted and pulled my hand free. "Amelia, let's break up."

Amelia's expression changed. She tried to stop me, but her phone rang.

The moment she saw Caleb's name on the screen, she hurriedly answered.

The next second, she said anxiously, "Caleb hurt his knee. I'm going to check on him. Just get a ride home for now. I'll explain everything to you later."

With that, she stopped paying any attention to me and turned to leave.

I watched her walk away and smiled bitterly to myself.