Chapter 2

As I walked out of the office building, I paused in front of the bulletin board.

Last year's exchange student list was still taped up there.

My name had been crossed out in red.

Beside it, two words were scribbled.

Gave up.

Half a year ago, I snagged the only fully-funded exchange spot in the whole department.

I'd been working on that paper from my freshman year all the way through sophomore year, pulling countless all-nighters.

The day I got the news, Lucas was the first person I told.

He was quiet for a long time, then finally said, "If you're gone for a year, who's going to organize my competition materials?"

He never said he'd miss me.

He never said he'd think about me.

But I still gave it all up for him.

Because back then, I thought he needed me.

I stood there for a long time, then finally took out my phone and snapped a photo.

Not for memories.

Just to remind myself.

This time, I won't look back.

That evening, Nina dragged me to the cafeteria.

As soon as we sat down, she nudged my arm. "Look, your guy from back home is here too."

I looked up.

Lucas and Rachel were sitting across from us.

Rachel leaned over the menu, looking a bit lost. "Lucas, is this one any good? Will that one be too spicy?"

Lucas took the menu and patiently explained each dish to her. "This one's pretty sweet, so you'll be fine with it. Don't order that one; it's way too greasy."

Rachel's smile lit up her whole face, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Lucas, you really know everything, huh?"

Lucas even let a tiny smile slip.

Suddenly, I flashed back to my first day of college.

I'd dragged Lucas to this cafeteria, practically bouncing with excitement. "Hey, let's try every single dish here, okay?"

Lucas just looked at me like I was speaking Martian, face blank as ever. "Shannon, do you really need someone to eat with? What are you, a little kid?"

Back then, I kept making excuses for him.

I just figured he was always like that, cold and distant.

He just wasn't the type to show his feelings.

But now, with Rachel, his patience was so meticulous, it was like she was caught in a web of his attention.

I lowered my head and took a couple of bites of pasta.

The soup was way too salty.

It was so salty, my throat felt parched.

Nina asked gently, "Are you okay?"

I set my fork down. "I'm fine, just not really hungry."

At nine that night, I had just gotten out of the shower when Nina poked her head in. "Shannon, someone's downstairs looking for you. I think it's that guy you grew up with."

I headed downstairs, my hair still damp.

Lucas was waiting for me under the streetlight, a bag in his hand. "Your mom asked me to bring you some fall clothes."

I took the bag from him. "Thanks."

With that, I turned to leave.

Lucas frowned and called out to me. "Shannon, how long are you going to keep up this silent treatment?"

I stopped in my tracks, but didn't turn around.

His voice was laced with impatience. "Okay, I'm sorry about what happened today. Is that enough for you?

"Rachel's a freshman. Helping her out is no big deal. We've been friends for years, are you seriously going to get upset over something so small?"

I turned to face him. "I'm not mad."

Lucas was taken aback. "So what's your deal now? Have you ever thanked me, even once, all these years? Are you treating me like a stranger now?"

I looked at him and suddenly smiled. "Lucas, we're just strangers."

With that, I turned and went upstairs.

Lucas stood there for a long moment, then let out a low, mocking laugh. "Here we go again."