Now, I understood that his patience for me had nothing to do with that ridiculous pact our mothers made on our behalf. He had already gotten sick and tired of me. It was just that he had been suppressing it the whole time.Mom's and Aunt Mel's words must've triggered him that night and made him explode. Or, perhaps, he had wanted to create such a massive scene so that everyone would know he would never be with me.I would always remember what he said to me. I would do as he asked, but this would also be the last time I would do anything for him or listen to his words.I had loved him for so many years, and now, it was time to let him go.That day, we didn't speak at all as we walked to school.The morning sun was warm and bright, yet he and I were like cold and distant strangers.I stepped into the classroom first, and Felix followed closely after. I had always been following after him, so it was quite amusing now that our roles had reversed.Our classmates loved to tease us.
That evening, I didn't bother waiting for Felix after school. I wasn't going to wait for him anymore. Halfway home, I heard some kicking sounds from behind me. I knew it was him, but I didn't turn back to look at him.I still liked him, but from now onward, I would keep my feelings to myself. Liking him would now only be my own problem. As time passed, I was sure he would soon disappear from my life.Since then, I never went to school with him anymore. Although we would still bump into each other occasionally, I would only nod politely at him without saying anything else.There were many times I saw him stopping by the roadside as if he was waiting for me. He'd bite his lips like there was something he wanted to tell me, but I'd always pretend that I never noticed him and just walk past every time.My classmates didn't quite believe me when I said I didn't want to have anything more to do with him the last time at the podium. After all, I'd been stuck to him like glue for more than a d
They probably didn't expect I'd leave after saying that. I could hear them talking and gossiping among themselves when I left. I heard all sorts of things but pretended to have heard nothing and continued walking. I didn't stop. I didn't even look back.Time passed very quickly after that. In the blink of an eye, half a month had gone by. I felt a little lonely at times, but I also felt free.Felix would still appear in my head from time to time, but whenever he did, I'd force myself to think about other things so I wouldn't fixate on him.But if I really couldn't control myself, I'd just pick up another set of calculus problems and bury myself in work.The moon was big and bright as it hung in the sky that night.After my extra night classes, I said goodbye to Jade and Zara and walked home with a bundle of study materials in my arms.The night was so beautiful that I found myself breaking into song. I was in a pretty good mood, and I just couldn't stop humming along to a tune I'd hear
As time slipped away, both our families were back to being civil with each other. However, we weren't as passionate and inviting with each other anymore. Also, it was as if there was now a screen separating me from Felix.I never entered his room again. I didn't even go to his house often anymore. Whenever we were invited over for dinner, I'd always find an excuse to skip it. I didn't want to be alone with Felix under the same roof anymore. I wanted to stay silent and keep my distance.During New Year's Eve, Mom had initially thought of having a celebratory dinner at home by ourselves. However, Uncle Austin and Aunt Mel kept inviting us over for dinner and refused to take no for an answer. Mom and Dad were running out of excuses not to go, and they eventually gave in.As for me, I never planned on attending the dinner in the first place. It was a holiday, and I wanted to have a good rest. Most importantly, I didn't want to be anywhere close to him.If I came near him, my mind would
My diaries contained everything from rusty poems about him to future plans for our kids. They held my entire youth within them.There was a soft chuckle from behind me, and I jumped in surprise. I turned around and saw Felix leaning against the doorframe while looking at me teasingly.I quickly closed the hefty diaries and locked them in my drawer. Then, I smiled at him politely and said, "Felix, hello.""Oh? Sleeping Beauty is finally awake, I see," he said with a chuckle, entering my room and sitting on my desk. He then reached up to pet me on the head.I'd been giving him the cold shoulder for the longest time. I couldn't get used to his sudden proximity now, so I ducked and avoided his hand."Yeah."Back in the past, my heart used to thump hard against my ribcage every time he came close to me. But now, I only wanted to run away."How did you do in your exams, Luna?"His eyes were glistening as he looked at me in anticipation. I didn't understand why he seemed so excited.
There was a female student in the next class named Lilac Hawthorn. She was a new transfer student from a different city. She had a small frame and a round face and wore her hair short. Every time she smiled, two dimples would appear on her cheeks that made her look sweet and endearing.I saw her walking with Felix many times at school. I'd stare and stare at their hands that always seemed to be intertwined. My heart would break each time I saw them together.The day after SATs, I saw Felix pulling her to a corner and telling her that he would go to the same college she was going to. He said that he wanted to be her knight in shining armor and protect her for the rest of his life.When I heard that, I swore my heart felt like it was smashed into a million pieces.There was only so much time and energy one could spend on others. Since Felix decided to be Lilac's knight in shining armor, there was no way he could also be my guardian angel at the same time. It was just a feeble attempt
Just before I clicked the "Submit" button, I changed my preferred college to another one up north called Lincoln University. That university was famously known for its watercolor courses and had produced many renowned watercolor artists in the country.Since I didn't want to go to Jesselton College, Lincoln University was my next best choice.Uncle Austin and Aunt Mel both asked me if I applied to Jesselton College. I managed to bluff my way through without giving any definite answers.Finally, it was the day that college and university applications were out. I received my acceptance letter in the mail. And I spent a good chunk of that day in a daze. I just couldn't come out of it.I wasn't in the same league as he was, after all. My acceptance letter had now cemented that fact. This was another feat in clearly drawing the boundaries between the two of us.Felix brought his acceptance letter and ran into my house. He then insisted on looking at mine."Luna, please show me your ac
They said mothers knew best. Well, Mom wiped her tears away on my shirt and said, "I did some research online and learned that Lincoln University is a great place for you. Their watercolor fine arts course is more famous than the one at Jesselton College."Remember to study hard and do your best to get your master's degree and doctorate there, okay? Your father and I will be retiring soon. If you decide to stay there for work, we can both move there to accompany you. Your dad will have fun experiencing the four seasons up in the north, especially winter.""Why are you crying? Isn't Colin there as well? He's a lot more reliable than Felix, and he also takes good care of Luna. With him around, Luna won't feel excluded."I knew that Mom and Dad loved me and were worried about me. Their words managed to put me at ease.Back then, I had been so focused on leaving Felix behind that I did my own research and followed my guts. I'd totally forgotten that Uncle Austin had another older son w