Chapter 3
Sometimes he'd bring me a soda, other times a chocolate bar.
And sometimes he'd show up empty-handed, just stand there and chat with me for a bit.
"Why are you always hanging out alone?" he asked.
"I just like peace and quiet," I replied.
He grinned, his cute little canines peeking out.
"Alright then, I'll leave you alone," he said.
But he always did.
One time, the Sutton family's son called out to him, "Why do you always sneak off to the back?"
He grinned, showing his teeth, and said, "Just getting some air."
I was hiding behind the wall, listening, and my heart was pounding.
The year I was applying to college, my mother fell seriously ill.
I was juggling taking care of her and cramming for finals, and I ended up losing a lot of weight.
I don't know how Spencer found out, but every weekend he came to the hospital, bringing me food and helping me with my schoolwork.
I asked him, 'Why are you here?'
"Just happened to be passing by," he replied.
"You happened to be passing by the hospital?" I retorted.
He gave me a look.
"You talk too much," he said.
He was there the day my mom passed away.
He stood outside the hospital room, watching me cry my heart out.
When I was all cried out, he came in and draped his jacket over my shoulders.
"From now on, you have me," he said.
Just those words, simple as that.
I looked up at him—his eyes were red, as if he'd cried too.
Right then, I told myself, 'He's the one I'll spend my life with.'
The year I got into college, Spencer was already in his senior year.
He went out of his way to come back from school to take me out for dinner.
It was the first time I'd ever eaten alone with him, and I was so nervous I could barely hold my fork.
He gave me a smile.
"What's got you so nervous?" he asked.
"N-nothing," I stammered.
He scooped some food into my bowl for me.
"You did well on your exams. Keep studying hard. If you ever need anything, just tell me."
I kept my head down and murmured, "Okay."
After dinner, he walked me back to my dorm.
When we got downstairs, he suddenly called out to me. "Mia."
I turned around.
He was standing under a streetlamp, looking at me as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.
He hesitated for a while before finally saying, "Never mind, head upstairs."
I went up and peeked out my window.
He was still there, gazing up at my window.
When he spotted me peeking out, he waved at me, then turned and walked away.
That night, I just couldn't fall asleep.
I didn't know what he wanted to say, but one thing was clear—I liked him.
I'd had feelings for him for so many years.
But after that day, we drifted apart.
His phone number was disconnected, and his social media went silent.
*****
The next time I saw him was when I was a senior, struggling at every interview in the job market right before graduation.
He was thinner than before, but he had that grown-up, manly charm now.
I thought after four years apart, I'd finally moved on.
But seeing him again, my heart was pounding out of control—I still couldn't help myself.
"Mia, long time no see. Are you here looking for a job?" he asked.
"Yeah, just trying my luck," I replied.
As I spoke, I could feel my face burning up—hot enough to fry an egg.
He smiled at me and asked, "Is it going well?"
I shook my head with a sheepish smile.
"Still haven't gotten any offers," I mumbled.
He reached out to a few companies for me and even tagged along to the interviews.
"Relax, Mia. You're really excellent—I'm sure you'll land something great," he said.
"How do you know I'm excellent?" I asked.
He was caught off guard for a moment, then broke into a smile.
"Of course I do. I've always known," Spencer said.
That night, after dinner, he walked me back to campus.
When we reached the school gate, he suddenly took my hand, "Mia."
My heart skipped a beat.
"Do you know why I disappeared for four years?" he asked.
I shook my head.
He looked at me, his eyes tinged with sadness.
"Because I like you. I've had feelings for you ever since you were sixteen, hunched over your homework in the Sutton family's backyard."
I was frozen.
He continued, "I waited for you to grow up, for you to take your college entrance exam, for you to finish college. I waited seven years for you.
"These past four years, I was worried I'd hold you back, so I chose to stay away."
He gripped my hand, his hand all sweaty.
"Now that you've graduated, I want to ask—would you be with me?" he added.
I looked at him, and tears sprang to my eyes before I even realized it.
He totally freaked out.
"Why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?" he asked.
I shook my head, laughing through my tears.
"Yes. I will," I said.