Chapter 1
After the SAT ended, while helping the teacher organize files, Lily Johnson suddenly noticed that Ryan Parker's stated university application goal on the questionnaire had been changed.
The teacher said, "Lily, didn't Ryan mention? He hates your brother and didn't want to run into him, so he switched his choices and applied to a university in Roynfort.
"And, most importantly, he chose the same university as the girl he likes."
Noticing Lily's pale face and unsteady posture, the teacher grew more puzzled.
"You and Ryan are so close. Didn't he tell you any of this? If I didn't know he liked someone else, I almost would've thought you two were a couple," the teacher added.
Lily's vision flickered, and she had to grip the desk just to keep herself upright. She forced a pale, shaky smile.
"Did Ryan really say that to you?" Lily asked.
"Yeah, just a couple of days ago, he came in to change his target university for direct admission. He said Emily Grant was heading to Roynfort, so he wanted to go there too," the teacher replied.
"Did you two have a falling out? I thought you guys agreed to go to Aromport together," the teacher added.
Lily clenched her fists so hard that her nails stabbed into her palms, the pain shooting through her hand.
She brushed off the teacher with a few words and then bolted out of the office.
When she got to the school gate and saw no one else there, she couldn't hold it in anymore and cried her heart out.
They'd known each other since they were little, and they'd sworn they'd go to college in Aromport together, letting the fireworks at Valeria Harbour witness their love.
Aromport was close to Lily's home, and after graduation, they planned to get married and build a life there.
They'd even talked through their university choices. She'd leaned against his shoulder, already picturing them house-hunting together and debating what kind of puppy to adopt.
Wasn't that pathetic?
Thinking about it now, they had sworn they'd be together after graduation, but she wasn't even his girlfriend.
She was still stupidly fantasizing about some perfect love story.
She wondered if he wasn't into her, why he showed up on her eighteenth birthday with a bunch of roses and a love letter.
She wanted to know if his clumsy kiss was real or just an act.
Maybe he was messing with her from the very beginning.
Lily wiped the tears from her eyes, feeling empty inside as she wandered home.
When she walked past the Parker residence, Olivia, Ryan's mother, was in the garden, watering her flowers. Olivia immediately called out to her.
"Lily, you look completely out of it today. Did a teacher give you a hard time at school? Ryan's home right now. Why don't you come in and see him for a bit?" Olivia said.
Normally, Lily would've turned Olivia down, but this time, she softly said "thanks," went upstairs, and knocked on Ryan's door.
Ryan opened the door and frowned. "Why are you crying? Did your brother bully you again?"
His eyes widened when he saw her red, tear-stained eyes.
The top few buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a broad chest. His eyes were filled with warmth and concern, enough to make her heart skip a beat.
Back then, Lily would've blushed, looked away, and teased him, calling him a total player.
But now, she just locked her gaze on him with sorrow in her eyes.
"Ryan, if we both go to college in Aromport, you'd have to run into my brother all the time. Would you really be fine with that?" Lily asked.
Ryan stood there for a moment and then finally pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I'll be honest. I really can't stand Layne Sullivan," Ryan murmured, "but for you, I'll try to accept him."
"And what about Emily?" Lily pressed.
Word was, Emily used to like Layne, and that was how Ryan and Layne ended up as rivals in the first place.
"What, are you jealous?" Ryan chuckled softly. "That was ages ago. I was just a dumb kid, didn't even know what it meant to really like someone. It wasn't until I met you that I realized who I actually wanted. Isn't that enough for you?"
Lily leaned into his arms, a sarcastic, bitter smile curling on her lips.
Enough?
She almost wanted to ask Ryan how far he had to go before he considered it enough.
He'd even play with her feelings just to spite Layne.
And for Emily, he'd use his only chance to change his college application and travel 1,200 miles just to be with her.
He crushed her heart and toyed with her feelings. Wasn't that enough?
But Lily didn't say a word. She just gently pushed him away, whispered a soft goodbye, and left, closing the door.
The door closed behind her, but she didn't go downstairs. She just stood quietly outside, listening as Ryan started making a phone call.
"Did Lily see anything at school today?" Ryan asked.
"Nothing important. I saw her sorting through some files and then left. You really think Lily knows you only got close to her to get back at Layne, so he'd never try to mess with you again?" someone answered.
Lily's fingers trembled, and she could barely keep herself upright.
"Don't worry, Ryan. Just focus on being with Emily in Roynfort. Lily's totally head over heels for you. We'll just convince her to quit school and try to win you back. Once people hear about it, Layne's reputation will be trashed. Layne's so protective of his little sister. I'm dying to see his reaction when he finds out the truth," the guy on the phone said.
"Ryan, why aren't you saying anything? Don't tell me you're actually catching feelings for Lily. If you really end up as Layne's brother-in-law, that would be a total mess. Not gonna lie, I kind of wanna see it happen," the guy teased.
"You think I like her?" Ryan sneered.
The same guy who'd just sworn he'd treat her right for life now sounded casual, almost mocking.
"Layne's my sworn enemy. All I care about now is making him pay for what he did to Emily. He puts on that whole gentleman act, like he's flawless, but the truth is, he absolutely dotes on Lily. Just wait till he sees his precious little sister completely shattered. His reaction is gonna be priceless," Ryan said.
"You're just stringing Lily along, huh? You keep talking about confessing after graduation, but you don't even care about her. Once you block her, she'll be totally lost. No way she'll ever find you," the guy said.
He cracked up, his voice buzzing with excitement and anticipation.
Lily's fingers were shaking badly. She could barely stand on her own two feet.
She just couldn't listen to any more of it.
With her head down and teeth clenched, Lily left the Parker residence, stepping out into the pouring rain.
Back in her room, Lily pulled out the love letter Ryan had once given her.
It read so sweet and genuine. Too bad every word was a lie.
Her eyes burned, but she didn't hesitate. She ripped the letter to shreds and dumped it in the trash.
If Ryan was willing to travel over a thousand miles for the girl he loved, then as the friend everyone thought she was, how could she not wish him happiness?
If, after all these years, her love still couldn't reach him, then it was time to let go.
She wouldn't give up her future and change her plans for Ryan.
She didn't need him to watch the fireworks at Valeria Harbour anymore.