Chapter 2

Coincidentally, I just happened to catch Silas right after his gig. He was walking Elowen back to her dorm on his bike.

I stood around the corner, watching them walk side by side.

Even with a little distance between them, the air was so thick with their sticky vibe that anyone could see what was going on.

I tugged at the corner of my mouth and sneered inside.

How could I have been so blind back then, obsessing over him like he was the only thing that mattered?

The scene of me lying alone in the nursing home during my final moments flashed before my eyes, and the suffocating feeling suddenly tightened around my throat.

Forget it, better not to see it.

I turned around and wanted to sneak off, but just then, a creepy gust of wind swept by, making the iron sign next to me clatter loudly, like it was ratting me out.

The noise made them turn their heads. They spotted me instantly.

The moment Silas saw me, his expression froze, and his grip on the handlebars tightened without him even realizing it.

He stammered, "Freya."

His voice trembled, his gaze flickering everywhere, mumbling half-words but never managing a full sentence.

I knew what he was worried about.

Silas was an orphan. Without my family's backing, he never would've had a shot at his dreams or gotten into the art troupe smoothly.

He was afraid that I'd use this as a reason to pull the plug, cut off everything my family had given him.

But he didn't know at all that I was not that kind of person, and my family was even less likely.

Seeing this, Elowen stepped up, grabbing Silas's sleeve and pulling him behind her, shooting me a wary glare.

She asked, "Freya, what's the matter?"

With her acting like that, I looked like the bad guy out to ruin their romance.

Though I did do such stupid things back then.

The first time I caught the two of them together, I asked with red eyes, ready to demand answers.

But before I could open my mouth, Elowen was already crying on the spot, looking so fragile and wronged that anyone passing by would think I was the villain bullying her.

Now I couldn't care less about their drama.

I replied, "Nothing, just walking by."

I waved my hand and turned to leave.

But Silas suddenly called out to me, and his voice was a little frantic.

He said, "Freya, don't misunderstand. Elowen and I are just going the same way."

"No need to explain to me," I cut him off as I glanced back over my shoulder.

I continued coldly, "You can go with whoever you want. It has nothing to do with me."

Elowen frowned and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

I shot back, "Just what I said."

I smirked and looked straight at Silas.

"Silas, don't worry. From now on, I won't chase after you, and I won't mention a thing to my parents. Be with whoever you want. We're done. Go your way, I'll go mine," I said, my voice cool and final.

Silas was stunned, mouth opening and closing, but he didn't say a word.

I ignored them and turned to leave.

The wind hit my face, and I let out a deep breath.

This time, at least, I managed to end things before any of the tragedy.

When I got back in the dorm, Hazel and the others were all gathered around my chocolate box, digging in.

As soon as I walked in, Alice sidled up to me with a mischievous grin.

She teased, "Freya, I heard that you met Silas. Why didn't you talk for a while?"

I grabbed a piece of chocolate and popped it in my mouth, saying, "What's there to talk about? Don't mention him again."

Everyone in the room just stared at me, totally stunned. "Wait, Freya, are you serious?" they asked.

Hazel reached out and felt my forehead, saying, "You're not running a fever, so why are you talking nonsense?"

I brushed her hand away and said, "Of course I'm serious. I've finally figured it out. He's just not into me, so why force him?

"There are so many guys in the world. I'll find someone who's a perfect match for me, someone who's actually worth giving my all."

The room was quiet for a few seconds, then everyone burst out cheering.

"Finally!" Alice said eagerly, handing me a cup of hot water with a smile. "Freya, you don't know. We couldn't hold it anymore. Silas didn't take you seriously at all!"

Another girl jumped in, "That's right! Last time, I saw him give the handkerchief you gifted him to Elowen to wipe her sweat."

I just chewed the chocolate, feeling nothing.

Back then, stuff like that would've kept me up half the night, fuming.

But now, I couldn't care less.

Hazel suddenly said, "By the way, Freya. I heard the college entrance exams are coming. Do you have any plans?"

I froze for a moment.

The news about the college entrance exams was pretty exciting.

But that was not really what I wanted. I want to stick around, maybe even work out on the frontier. So I hesitated, shaking my head.

I replied, "Not sure yet. We'll see. Honestly, I want to stay here and keep serving as a soldier."

Hazel patted my shoulder.

She said, "Alright, whatever you want. Honestly, the fact that you finally got over Silas is the biggest step forward. I'm not worried about you at all about anything else."

I just smiled and said nothing.

After all, with a whole new life ahead of me, only an idiot would waste it in the same old mess.