Chapter 7
Soon, a new message popped up on my phone.
“Hi Sarah, this is John Carter.”
After accepting his friend request, John, my senior, learned about my situation and
ranged accommodation for me.
ranged
“This place is close to the university and far from any rough neighborhoods, so it’s
relatively safe. You can stay here for the next few days.”
Just as I was about to reply with a “Thank you,” he sent another message.
“Sorry, I wasn’t thinking. Professor Johnson told me you’ve never been abroad before and that you’re traveling alone. Send me your address, and I’ll come pick you up.”
“Okay,” I replied.
I waited outside the apartment with my luggage.
Just then, Ethan rushed back, his hair messy from the wind. He saw me and immediately started questioning me. “What’s the meaning of this? What are you trying to pull?”
I pushed him away and looked into the distance. “Exactly what I said.”
“Why did you suddenly bring up breaking up? You came all the way from California, you must be head over heels for me. What’s the problem? I already told everyone you’re my
girlfriend!”
I clenched my fists, feeling a chill run down my spine.
“Is admitting that I’m your girlfriend supposed to be some kind of accomplishment?”
Ethan opened his mouth to retort, but no words came out.
“Ethan, I’m tired. I’m tired of this relationship.”
He finally revealed his true thoughts. “Fine, we can break up. But you go tell my parents.”
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Since his parents had found out about us, they had been even more eager for us to stay together than Ethan himself.
“You have a beautiful new girlfriend now. They’ll be thrilled.”
Ethan frowned. “My parents don’t want me to date a girl just for her looks.”
I smiled without saying a word.
erhaps realizing that I was truly determined to break up, he asked again, “Are you sure you want to break up? Think about it, Sarah. Everyone cares about looks these days, Besides me, who else would like someone like you?”
I looked at him, feeling like I was seeing a stranger.
“Ethan, do you remember why you liked me in the first place?”
Ethan paused, silent.
“Forget it. It’s normal that you don’t remember. If you did, we wouldn’t be breaking up.
We had been together for so long that the memories of how we started had faded. We had forgotten why we fell in love.
And therefore, we didn’t cherish it.
A car approached.
And from the other direction, Ashley came running, out of breath.
语
“Ethan, I saw you left without eating anything. I was worried something happened, so I
came to check on you.”
I glanced at them. “You two are inseparable, aren’t you?”
Ashley’s eyes filled with tears, and she suddenly bowed to me. “If you’re breaking up
because of me, I apologize. But please, don’t treat Ethan like this. He’s hurting too.”
Every word was a plea for Ethan.
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It made me look like an unreasonable shrew.
Ethan couldn’t bear to see her like that. He immediately rushed to protect her. “It’s not your fault. We haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Ethan, I’ve been thinking… Could it be that Sarah saw your phone when she came to visit? That’s the only explanation I can think of.”
Ethan’s eyes widened in realization, and he turned to me, his gaze cold.
I didn’t bother denying it. “I did see it. It was quite entertaining.”
“Sarah, why did you look at my phone without my permission? And even if you did, you
should know that there’s nothing between Ashley and me. We’re just friends. She’s a girl,
and her reputation is important to her. Why would you say such hurtful things?”
“What did I say?”
I raised my voice, all my pent–up emotions finally erupting.
“Since you came home holding her hand, what have I said?”
It was all just his subconscious bias and protectiveness, assuming the worst of me.
“So it was from that moment… Sarah, just because you’re not as good doesn’t mean you can be jealous of Ashley’s beauty!”
A Mercedes screeched to a halt in front of us. The horn blared for a full five seconds.
Ethan covered Ashley’s ears, ready to confront the driver.
The car door opened, and a man in a suit stepped out.
Recognizing the driver, Ashley instinctively straightened her hair.
I squinted, trying to place him.
He walked past Ashley and stopped in front of me, bowing slightly. “Sarah, right? I’m John
Carter.”
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I nodded, “Hello, John.”
“Let’s go,” John took my suitcase effortlessly, “Get in the car”
The car sped away,
Remembering Ashley’s hesitant expression, I suddenly felt a sense of satisfaction.
John glanced at me in the rearview mirror and shook his head regretfully. They said facre Things to you, and you still treated them with respect”
“Maybe I’m just a natural–born pushover.” The insecurity that had been with me for so long wasn’t easily erased,
“Girls need to learn how to curse people out. You can’t always be so nice.” John said, then immediately corrected himself. “Forget it, the old man told me not to corrupt you. Just be yourself. You’re doing great.”
“Your professor should have sent you the materials, right? Prepare well for the next fear days. You’ll be representing him at NYU. I heard that a few project teams there are also researching this area. They want you to listen to their presentations and offer some guidance and suggestions.”
“Me?”
John patted my head. “Don’t worry, I’ve skimmed their proposals. They’re full of holes. Just pick a few points and elaborate on them.”
