CHAPTER 3

AUSTIN's POV

As soon as I got into my room, I threw myself onto the bed, my body sinking into the mattress as if it could somehow absorb all the weight pressing down on my chest. I stared at the ceiling, letting my eyes trace the familiar lines and shadows, trying to calm the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. But it didn’t work.

After a moment, I closed my eyes, releasing a deep, heavy breath, hoping that maybe, just maybe, the ache inside would ease. But it didn’t. The weight sat there, unmoving, stubborn.

Ash’s words replayed in my mind like a haunting echo, the confession still fresh and raw. I’d known her for so long, and yet today…today, she shattered a piece of my world I hadn’t realized I was holding onto so tightly.

I was still in disbelief.

How could this be real? How could everything I’d hoped for just vanish like that? I didn’t want to accept it, I didn’t want to believe it.

Why couldn’t it have been me?

That should be me.

Just then, my phone vibrates. I reached into my jeans pocket for my phone. When I opened the message, I noticed an Instagram notification. Ash just uploaded a picture.

Just seeing the notification gives me a heavy feeling in my chest. I feel like there's a picture hiding behind this notification that would make me feel much worse.

However, I suddenly found myself opening the notification for reasons I don't understand.

And I wasn't mistaken because the picture of her and Liam was the one that showed up for me. This picture of them looks very lovely. Given that, I believe Ash successfully confessed to Liam.

I mean, of course, why would Liam turn down Ash? Who would have the audacity?

Ash is a dream girl. Aside from being gorgeous, she is also really nice, a one-of-a-kind girl. That's why I fell in love with her. But what can I do?

Nothing. There is nothing I can do about my feelings for her except to be happy for her. For both of them.

They made a good couple.

Deciding not to gaze at the photo any longer, I put my phone aside and shut my eyes. I could feel a tear drop on the corner of my eye.

I'm hurt.

I allowed myself to cry.

—

THE NEXT MORNING

Dang! I am currently looking in the mirror. I was really taken aback when I looked in the mirror. I didn't expect my eyes to become this swollen. How am I going to get to class today? Damn!

"Austin! Breakfast is ready!" I heard my mom calling me from the bottom of the stairs.

Damn! How am I supposed to leave my room and have breakfast with my parents when my eyes are swollen from crying?

Damn! I can't let them see this. It's embarrassing!

I have no choice. Since my class today starts at precisely nine, I'll eat breakfast at the university.

Before I stepped out of my room, I took my glasses and put them on. I quickly walked down the stairs and and made my way to the door.

"I'm leaving!" I said it in a loud voice so they could hear me from the dining room.

"You haven't had breakfast yet!" Mom yelled from the dining room, but I pretended not to hear her.

I went to my car as soon as I left the house. I took off the eyeglasses I was wearing as soon as I got into my car. I looked at my face in the rearview mirror.

I guess I'll have to wear my glasses all throughout the day. Damn!

—

I parked my car in the parking lot when I got to the university. I wore my eyeglasses again to hide my swollen eyes from everyone. Even though it's normally not permitted in our class, I'll just tell my professor that I unintentionally got sore eyes.

Just for today.

Grabbing my bag, I jumped out of my car and made my way to the gate. Since I haven't had breakfast yet, instead of going to the classroom, I go straight to the cafeteria.

I only ordered bread and pasta because I don't usually eat rice in the morning.

"Are you okay, buddy?" The cafeteria assistant asked me while serving my food on my plate.

"Yeah, I just have sore eyes."

"Oh, that's bad. You should go to the clinic after this." He advised and handed me the tray that had my food. "There you go. Bon appétit."

"Yeah, sure. Thanks." I said as I took the tray then I walked to an empty seat at the last row. I begin to eat my food. I'm already hungry.

"Is this seat taken?" Someone asked in front of me in the middle of eating.

Lifting my head, I look at the person and wonder, is this person crazy? There aren't many students here right now, so there are a lot of empty seats. So why sit at my table?

My eyebrows raised when I saw who that person is.

This guy is a guy from yesterday. Right! He owes me something. My bracelet. Maybe he is here to give me my bracelet.

"Can I sit here?" He asked for permission again.

"Yeah. Non-taken." I answered.

I wanted to be alone, but since I had to get something from him, I let him occupy the empty seat in front of me.

"Thanks." He set his tray down on the table and ettled himself on the chair.

"So, do you have my bracelet?" I asked him without hesitation.

"Can I eat first?" He laughed softly.

I furrowed my brow at what he said.

Seriously? Is it difficult to answer my question?

I started to feel annoyed with this guy. I hope I never have to see him again after I get my bracelet back from him. He is somewhat annoying.

I didn't say anything and just kept eating my food. We ate silently until he shattered the quiet between us.

"Why are you wearing glasses?" He asked.

"I just have sore eyes." I answered lazily.

"What? Is it bad?"

I looked at him because I felt the concern in his voice. I can see that too based on the expression on their face.

It's weird. Why does he look worried?

Is he worried about me?

Jeez! Thinking about that sends shivers down my spine! Crazy!

"Not really." I said and turned my gaze away from him. I turned my attention back to my food.

"Let me take a look at it."

I was a bit taken aback by what he said, which made me look at him again. "What? No." I refused.

"I just need to make sure how bad it is."

My forehead furrowed. "Why would you? Are you a doctor?" A hint of annoyance crept into my voice.

"Do I need to be a doctor to look into that? I just have to make sure it's not bad."

"Why?"

"What do you mean by why?"

"Why do you need to make sure that it isn't bad? This has nothing to do with you. Why do you care whether it's bad or not?"

"Because..." He paused for a moment.

"Because what?" My forehead stayed furrowed.

"Because you might infect me or the other students here."

"What the?" My eyebrows shot up dramatically while my forehead was still furrowed. "That's why I wore glasses so that I wouldn't infect you or anyone. And if you don't want to catch my sore eyes, why do you want to look into my eyes? Are you even thinking?"

He laughed softly.

"What's so funny?"

"Well, for the record, germs do not travel on rays of light from one person to another. Unless, I touch you."

At what he said, I couldn't respond right away. I don't know what to say. Damn! I wasn't aware of that. It seems like I look foolish here. What on earth!

I cleared my throat. "Whatever! Just give me my bracelet and leave." I ordered.

"Let me check your eyes first. Take off your eyeglasses."

"No!" I refused. Jeez! He's annoying.

He ruins my day.

"Then no. I won't give you your bracelet."

What on earth?

"Are you serious?"

"Do I look like I'm joking with you?"

I laughed derisively. Wow! This guy is getting on my nerves! I swear to heaven that I won't meet him again after I get my bracelet.

But no matter how desperate I am right now to get my bracelet from him, I won't show him my eyes because I don't actually have any sore eyes. Damn!

"Still no." I said, emphasizing the words. Then, I stopped eating and stood up.

"Where are you going?"

"What do you care?" I was about to leave the table when he also stood up and blocked me.

"What are you doing? Get out of my way!"

"You need to go to the clinic to take care of your sore eyes."

"Don't tell me what to do, man! Move away!" I nudged him slightly to the right side and then I walked away.

On my way to the exit of the cafeteria, I suddenly saw Ashley and Liam just entering the cafeteria. I stopped walking when they noticed me. I have no choice but to turn back to avoid them.

Damn! I don't want to see them today.

It's too late.

"Austin!" They called me at the same time and walked towards me.

They are both wearing broad smiles on their faces as if they had a great time together yesterday. I suppose they are already in their dating phase.

"Austin!" Ash was about to hug me, but someone stepped in front of me. I didn't expect to see "that guy."

—