Chapter 3
Samantha's eyes darted over, and she smirked at me like I wasn't even worth her time.
"Catherine, what, are you just chickening out and making excuses?"
"Yeah, I am," I shot back, that devastated look in his eyes from my last life flashing through my mind.
Seeing the smug look on Samantha's face, I took my time and said, "I just don't want my boyfriend getting the wrong idea, you know."
"Samantha, you know my boyfriend, don't you? I mean, I saw you set his photo as your phone wallpaper. Can't get him out of your head, huh?" I smirked.
"Wait, Sammy's phone wallpaper?" one of Samantha's clique finally caught on.
"Connor Frost? That famous model?" another girl piped up.
"No way, Catherine! You're not actually trying to say Connor Frost is your boyfriend, are you? Seriously, that's hilarious," someone snickered.
"Come on, Catherine, if you're gonna lie, at least do your homework first," someone snorted.
The whole room burst out laughing, everyone jeering at how bold I was. Samantha just curled her lips into a cold smirk, her gaze dripping with mockery.
"Fine, I'll just call my boyfriend and let you all hear for yourselves," I said, pulling out my phone.
I dialed the number, my fingers moving automatically—I knew it by heart.
Back in my last life, when I was bedridden, this number called me over and over, but I never answered, not even once.
This time, with every digit I pressed, my heart pounded harder and harder.
I waited, holding my breath.
Just one ring, then it was hung up.
I stared at my phone, eyes wide, the screen blank.
"That's funny, Catherine! He hung up on you. Did you forget to give him his lines or something?" someone snickered.
"Hey, if you can't find a fake boyfriend, just hit me up. I'll do it for free," another guy joked.
"Nah, go for Jason. He's totally single," someone else chimed in.
Staring at the black screen, I was lost in thought. Crap, was he seriously cutting me off for real?
I remembered a few days ago, Connor and I got into a fight over Jason. I was so mad, and I told him I never wanted to talk to him again.
Right then, a video call popped up on my screen.
"You finally decided to call me, huh? Took you long enough, you badass," Connor teased, his voice warm and playful.
On the screen, Connor's sharp features came into view. He flashed a soft smile, his eyes gentle and bright.
"Hey, baby, I miss you," I said in a soft, teasing tone, playfully tracing my eyebrow with my pinky.
"No way, that's really Connor Frost," the crowd around me gasped. Everyone who'd been mocking me just moments ago was now staring in disbelief. "Wait, Catherine's boyfriend?"
"Miss you too, baby," Connor replied, his voice gentle and full of affection.
Connor really was my perfect partner. We could read each other like a book, always knowing exactly what the other was thinking.
That little pinky-to-eyebrow move was our secret signal, our way of playing off each other without missing a beat.
I kept chatting with Connor, all sweet and lovey-dovey, while out of the corner of my eye, I caught Samantha gripping her glass so hard that her knuckles turned white. Clearly, she was fuming.
Honestly, she had every reason to be fuming.
Connor wasn't just a famous fashion model—he was also Samantha's next-door neighbor.
To be precise, their moms were super close, and when they were little, they'd always joke about making the two of them a couple when they grew up.
But once Connor got older, he totally freaked out over that idea.
He even threatened to disown his family over it, so his mother had to gently suggest, "Fine, you two can just be friends."
Connor was the ultimate ice king. He never cracked a smile for anyone, always keeping everyone at arm's length.
But with me, he was all soft and affectionate. No wonder Samantha was fuming with jealousy.
The best part was, Samantha had been crushing on Connor for ages.