Chapter 2
Christopher was never the same when he was around Queenie.
And it wasn't just me who caught on. The committee folks, his best buddies, and even my friends picked up on it.
There was a time when I thought I meant something more to Christopher.
After all, our families had been close for generations, and we grew up side by side.
Our parents always joked that I'd end up marrying Christopher. After hearing it so many times, we started to take it seriously.
After the SAT, Christopher confessed his feelings to me.
And I said yes.
But when Queenie came into the picture, I realized that maybe what Christopher felt for me wasn't love at all.
It was just that everyone around us kept saying we were a perfect match.
Christopher, who used to be so standoffish and indifferent to girls, seemed like a completely different person after he met Queenie.
He'd save seats for her in the study room, help her with her homework, even though they weren't even in the same major.
Christopher would study Queenie's courses inside out just to tutor her.
He'd worry about Queenie's safety when she worked late and pick her up himself.
But when I finished hanging out with friends, no matter how late it was, all I got from Christopher was an impatient retort, "Don't you have a driver?"
I wasn't blind or stupid.
I could feel these subtle differences, these little things that danced right on the edge of the line no one should cross.
On the surface, Christopher and I were still seeing each other. Our relationship had the blessing of our elders.
But Christopher had no qualms about showing everyone how good he was to Queenie, making our relationship look like a joke.
I couldn't just let him drag me into a messy love triangle.
Every time I wanted to blow up, Christopher would put on that helpless face.
"Queenie comes from a poor family. It's not easy for her to study in a big city. We should help her out."
He was so open about it.
It felt like just a senior looking out for a junior.
But to me, what Christopher was doing was way beyond just helping.
After Christopher left, the hospital room was pretty much the same as when he came in.
The VIP room was always just right, with the air fresh and the daily fragrance changed.
The bouquets of flowers from friends gave the room a lively feel.
It proved me right.
The people I hired and the friends who truly cared about me all did better than Christopher, who showed up empty-handed and full of questions.
I looked out the window, gave a bitter smile, and replied to my mom's message.
[Christopher and I broke up.]
[Have you really moved on, Emmy?]
My mom asked cautiously.
It had been half a month since that awkward breakup with Christopher.
In those two weeks, Christopher hadn't sent a single message or even a hello.
It was like he had vanished from my world.
But every now and then, I'd catch a snippet about him.
Christopher thought Queenie's part-time job was too tiring and got her a new, easier one.
On the surface, Queenie was still working part-time.
But in reality, Christopher was just using that as an excuse to pay her openly.
Christopher had a lot of friends who overlapped with mine.
So these things would slip into my ears without me even trying.
That was the essence of love.
Christopher didn't want Queenie to suffer even a little bit.
*****
My sprained ankle started to hurt again.
I still remembered vividly how Christopher had tripped me on the track.
The way he treated me wasn't even close to liking me.
It didn't even respect the years we grew up together.
I snuggled up to my mom and told her, "I'm not the type to stick with just one guy. With Christopher out of the picture, there are plenty of other guys out there for me."
My mom looked worried.
"Haven't you and Dad always said that Christopher was too playful, too immature, and not a good match?"
I grinned, "You guys had a better sense of it. But luckily, I figured it out in time."
My parents had been in love since they got married, setting an example of a happy family for me.
They made me look forward to having my own little family.
So when Christopher messed up, I tried to be understanding.
When he treated me badly, I tried to make it work.
It wasn't something I could decide to break up with him overnight.
That day in the hospital, I suddenly realized that my constant giving in to Christopher would never get me the perfect partner I dreamed of.
He was just taking advantage, seeing through my tolerance, and trampling on my feelings over and over.
"Even if you've moved on, you don't have to start dating new guys so soon," my mom said, giving me a look.
I was dressed to kill, with pearls at my ears and light makeup.
My mom knew me best. She saw right through my intentions.
I gave an awkward smile and said, "We're already at the door, and Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd are probably waiting. Let's go in, Mom."
As soon as we stepped inside, my eyes instantly went to the handsome young man sitting beside Gilbert Shepherd and Nancy Shepherd.
Ryan Shepherd was also looking at me.
I quickly averted my gaze, feeling a strange mix of embarrassment in my chest.