Chapter 2The Backup Girlfriend

I stood by the window, booking a flight for two days later.

After hanging up, I confirmed the time and airport, grabbed my ticket, and exhaled deeply.

I watched the livestream.

Notifications from classmates kept popping up on my phone; it was hard to miss.

Hunter was the school's untouchable bad boy.

When he played basketball, the way his muscles flexed made every girl swoon.

Usually, girls admired him from afar, too scared to approach.

I was the first.

Starting senior year, I "shamelessly" chased Hunter. I blocked his path after school, waited for him at the gates. By the third week, he finally acknowledged my existence.

Right after me, the second pursuer appeared: Lily.

Clearly, Hunter preferred her type.

I ran three blocks to buy Hunter his favorite sports drink; he took a sip and tossed it.

Lily bought a random water from the vending machine.

Blushing, she handed it to him.

He put it on his desk and didn't touch it all afternoon, cherishing it.

I waited two hours at the basketball court for him.

Lily already had his number.

She walked over with him, giggling.

Seeing me, she covered her mouth.

"Hunter, is she the girl everyone says harasses you?"

Hunter glanced at me.

That was the first thing he ever said to me directly.

"Her? She's not half as cute as you."

But I didn't give up.

After three months of effort, I finally earned the position of Hunter's "backup girlfriend."

"As long as you need me, I'll do anything. I won't cling to you. It's all one-sided on my part."

I lowered my head, standing in front of him.

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze a mix of amusement and disgust.

"Really? Are you that desperate?"

I kept my head down, gritting my teeth.

"Yes. All I want is to be around you more."

Hunter scoffed.

"Interesting."

He walked away.

But after that, everyone knew our relationship was ambiguous. He walked with Lily but called me to bring them food. Sometimes when he played ball alone, he called me to fetch rebounds.

Classmates couldn't guess who he really liked.

When asked, Hunter laughed openly: "I don't date. They know that."

So I was a backup.

So was Lily.

The only difference was Hunter promised he'd give her a title after graduation. The rumor mill turned it into a "Bachelor"-style choice between us.

Unsurprisingly, I was destined to be the punchline.

But honestly? I never took it seriously.

A notification popped up: Hunter's official relationship announcement on Instagram. He tagged me specifically.

The photo was a silhouette of Hunter and Lily kissing.

I didn't look closely. I just noticed a familiar name in the comments:

Ethan: Congrats.

I smirked in disgust and fear.

I should thank Hunter. If not for his terrifying reputation, I don't know how many times that creepy, slimy stalker Ethan would have assaulted me.