It rained for three days straight, and the temperature dropped as a result.As it was getting cold, I put on thick winter clothes before I did my daily commute of going to the apartment, lecture hall, and cafeteria.Helen stopped coming back to the apartment the second night after the incident. I was all alone in the cold apartment.When I was bored, I'd talk to my friends. More often than not, I'd be texting Colin.It wasn't that I was neglecting my friends, but they all had a boyfriend. They didn't have time for me. Colin and I were both single, so we were like each other's support group.On the fourth day, I had a lecture in the morning. As soon as I entered the lecture hall, I saw my classmates gossiping about something excitedly."So what's the good news? Did they increase the scholarship amount or something?" I found a seat at the front of the lecture hall. Then, I took out the textbooks from my bag and placed them on my desk. I also took out the draft I drew yesterday so t
Professor Ash, in his dapper outfit, walked toward the lectern in broad strides. My classmates cheered. They gossiped about their idol in hushed voices.Professor Ash seemed to be very familiar with this kind of reception. He waited patiently until the class calmed down. Then, he said, "Hi, everyone. I'm Ash King. I'm honored to be part of Jesselton College."In the foreseeable future we share together, I'll do my best to impart what I know to you. I hope you can stay sharp and keep up with my pace. Those who don't pay attention or finish their assignments on time will have their marks deducted. This is non-negotiable."A commotion broke out again. This time, it was a collective groan.Watching my classmates complain about the harsh lecturer, I chuckled.Professor Ash was a renowned artist. In his eyes, attitude was more important than talent. My perseverance and thirst for knowledge were the reason why he specially tutored me.That said, this didn't mean that talent wasn't impor
"As you can see, I couldn't be better. You, however, have lost so much weight. Work as hard as you want and you still can't own all the riches in the world. You should look after your body. If you don't do that while you're young, you'll age very quickly and you'll regret it."I didn't know what else to say.No amount of consolation could mend the brokenhearted Matthew.He looked at me and then sideways. He smiled. It was a beautiful smile, albeit a bit lonely."Yeah, I'll take care of myself. Go back to your apartment. I'll get going now. It's cold now. Make sure you cover yourself.""Will do. Thanks. Goodbye." I then entered my apartment building.There was a floor-to-ceiling glass pane at the entrance. I caught Matthew's pitiful silhouette standing under the autumn rain.His head was lowered, his Adam's apple rolling up and down. Pain and misery were written all over his face.I knew I had shattered his heart. Sorry, Matthew.Back in my apartment, Helen was standing by the
"I cherish Matthew's feelings toward me. But we hadn't started dating each other. I refuse to be belittled, and I don't want him to fall out with his family for me. I will not be called nasty names for the rest of my life."He had plenty of options. He was told to choose one option, yet he chose both. You know what that is, Helen? That's a mistake.""I get what you're saying, Luna. But seeing him so devastated and so heartbroken pains me. I know my demand is very selfish. But I don't know how else to reduce his suffering.""No one can help Matthew. Not even me. He has to go through this alone. If I can't commit to him or give him a future, I shouldn't give him false hope. Otherwise, he'll fall even deeper in love with me. Helen, don't you like him too? Why don't you keep him company in this time of need?"They say hardships bring the best out of everyone. I'm sure that one day, he'll notice what you've done for him. I firmly believe that his feelings for me are nothing but an infat
Matthew's dressing was changed before he was pushed into a ward. The doctor said he had a high fever and needed to be hospitalized for a few days.He must be seriously ill because after all the medical help, he still hadn't regained consciousness."Luna, you're so cruel. He refused to see a doctor when he had a fever back at home. And to see you, he put his life on the line." Helen kept sobbing. Her eyes and nose were red from the crying.I felt so guilty as I looked at the sleeping Matthew. Regardless if I could return his feelings or not, I felt like I had just stepped and spat on his devotion.I should consider myself lucky to be loved by such a loyal man. Alas, there were too many things between us. I couldn't reciprocate his feelings."Helen, I'll go back now. Don't tell him that I came." I retrieved my phone from the corner of the bed and gazed at the unconscious Matthew. Then, I steeled my mind and left.Helen chased after me and cussed at how heartless I was. She said bad
I was still sobbing when Jade called. Surprised by my sniffling voice, she asked if Felix and Lilac had bullied me again.Now that she brought it up, I realized that I hadn't seen them for a long while.Did they have a moral epiphany and decide to stop pestering me? Good for them!"Luna, you dummy. When they bully you, you fight back. It's time to stand up for yourself. You're five-foot-five, and meekness doesn't look good on you. You're willing to endure the bullying, but I'm not. Let me avenge you. I'll call Felix right away and give him an earful.""Don't, don't. I haven't seen them in a while. My eyes and ears appreciate the current peace, so please don't provoke them."Jade then wondered, "So, they aren't trying to get your attention now? Felix can live without your attention, but I highly doubt Lilac can do the same."I had the same question too. Life was full of surprises."I don't know why they're doing this, but I'm not complaining.""Right, you can now enjoy your peac
No wonder every parent wanted their children to be tall. Being tall made one look intimidating; being short diminished you.Brenda clearly didn't expect my retaliation. Her portly figure fell back clumsily, and she had to gather herself. Humiliated, she cursed at me, saying that I was uncouth and uncivilized.I was so mad. She truly thought that I would allow her to disrespect me blatantly. Fine. I had tried to be courteous, but she would have none of it. I wasn't going to let her accuse me of something I'd never done."Mrs. Loxley, please mind your words. Your baseless accusation provides enough grounds for a defamation lawsuit.""I don't need any evidence to prove that you're a bitch. You seduced my son, and you deserve to be called out. Look around you. You're in Jinovy. You're on my territory now."Behind her, the two women continued to fuel her anger. Somehow, Brenda truly thought that she owned Jinovy. She continued to hurl insults at me as if I was a scumbag who needed de
"Lies! Don't listen to her words, everyone! My son knows many socialites. He has plenty of options to choose from. "Why would he pick you to be his companion to the party? Quit flattering yourself. Why don't you ask one of the socialites Matthew knows?"Brenda yanked a woman to the front from behind her. "This is Yanice. She desperately wanted to be Matthew's companion. And guess what? Her family is many times more prestigious than yours. If Matthew turned her down, what makes you think he'd say yes to you?"Yanice was originally quite happy to be brought to the limelight. But when Brenda told everyone how desperate she was, her face turned beet red. She hid behind Brenda, glaring at me silently. I felt even angrier. Why glare at me? I wasn't the one who told everyone that she was desperate. She should be glaring at Brenda instead. Why take it out on a nobody like me?Urgh, all these people were beyond reasonable."Well, I feel rather sorry for Yanice now. You called her a desp