Chapter 2

The light at the end of the hallway was suddenly blocked by a tall figure. Ryan stood there, holding two drinks, with the right touch of surprise on his face. "Sorry, did I interrupt something?"

Ruby's expression softened instantly. "Ryan, why did you come out?"

"You were gone for so long. I was worried you might've gotten lost," Ryan said with a smile, his eyes drifting over to me. "Michael, long time no see."

I didn't respond and watched as he naturally moved to stand beside Ruby, their shoulders almost touching.

Ryan was about half a head taller than Ruby. When he looked down at her, his lashes cast a small shadow on her face. The whole scene was so perfect that it hurt to look at it.

"Ruby, I brought you some lemonade. I remember you said singing makes your throat dry," Ryan said, handing her the glass. And his fingers "casually" brushed against the back of her hand.

Ruby took the glass and smiled at him. Then she turned to me, chin lifted. "See? This is how friends act. Michael, you're being too sensitive."

Ryan had a puzzled look on his face. "Did I do something wrong?"

He looked at me, his eyes so innocent that it made me want to gag. "Michael, if there's any misunderstanding, we can talk it out face-to-face.

"Ruby's been feeling down these past few days, and it's all because of you. I've been worried about her."

"Ryan, you don't have to explain," Ruby said, patting his arm, then gave me a cold smirk. "Some people love making a big deal out of nothing."

Ryan sighed, giving me that pitying look. "Michael, Ruby often mentions you. She says you can be a bit touchy sometimes, but you're still a decent guy."

He paused. "You can't make someone fall in love, you know. If you two really aren't a good match—"

"Ryan," I cut him off coldly. "You know what I admire most about you? It's how you can play the good guy while shamelessly making a move on my girl right in front of me."

Ryan's face froze.

Ruby immediately bristled. "Michael! What nonsense are you talking?"

"Nonsense?" I laughed. "Let me ask you this. Why every time we fight, he's the first to know? Why does every present I give you always show up on his social media? Why—"

"That's enough!" Ruby shoved me hard, her chest heaving. "Michael, I see right through you now. You can't handle things yourself, so you blame everyone else. It's really disgusting.

"Ryan's a hundred times more thoughtful than you. At least he doesn't get all paranoid over nothing."

Ryan timely stepped in, steadying Ruby by the shoulders. "Don't get worked up. He's not worth it," he said softly.

Then he looked at me, his eyes full of that smug, winner's tolerance. "Michael, you might want to cool off."

"Ruby, let's head back. Everyone's probably waiting for us," he added.

Ruby yanked her hand out of mine. I didn't even remember when I grabbed her wrist. She walked away with Ryan, not looking back.

Before leaving, Ryan threw me a glance over his shoulder. There was the hint of a smirk on his lips, and he looked so smug it was practically dripping from his eyes.

I stood alone in the empty hallway, just as the next room switched to a gut-wrenching breakup song, like fate rubbing salt in my wounds.

Turning away from the bar, the summer night's heat slammed into me, waking me up more than any blast of air conditioning ever could.

My phone buzzed. It was a message from Jason: [You left? Ruby just told everyone she's with Ryan. The whole class is losing it. You already knew, right?]

I shot back a [Mm,] then shut off my phone.

The convenience store on the corner was lit up like a beacon. I walked in and grabbed a Coke.

I twisted off the cap and chugged it down. The fizz exploded in my throat, burning so bad it made my eyes water.

So this was what the end tasted like. It wasn't as painful as I'd imagined. Actually, it felt like a weight off my shoulders.

I looked up at the night sky, a few stars twinkling faintly.

Western Institute of Technology was around 1,500 miles away from here. It should be far enough, right?