Chapter 2 The Jerk Is You

After posting, I didn't pay much attention. But that evening, back in my dorm, I was surprised to see Alec had liked my post.

This guy, he actually used social media? Didn't he always ignore it completely?

Back then, he barely acknowledged me; now, I was out of his league.

For those three years, he was blind to what he had and chose not to be with me.

So, for the following week, I posted a picture of that handsome guy every day, and each post said, "Day n of crushing on this handsome guy."

Alec seemed to catch on to my intentions, because he liked every my post.

But this joy was short-lived. Soon, the handsome guy discovered my posts and arranged for someone to invite me to meet him.

To my surprise, his name was Jackson Campbell, and he was Alec's middle school classmate. They had reunited through my social media.

Why was I not feeling the joy?

"Today, Alec is coming to our school for a basketball game. Wanna go watch?" Jackson looked at me and asked, his gaze somewhat evasive.

"Of course, I'm going!" I replied. I wanted to show off my handsome guy to provoke that dumb fool Alec, to let him see how happy I was.

When I arrived at the basketball court, it was surrounded by girls. But even so, I immediately recognized Alec playing basketball.

Jackson grabbed my hand, leading me through the throng.

As I squeezed my way in, I saw Kristy Miller handing Alec water, her eyes filled with admiration for him, and Alec, surprisingly, smiled back.

Kristy was from our high school, though in a different class, and was considered the most popular girl in school.

Later, she and Alec got into the same university, and even the same class.

So much for saying he didn't want to date in high school, only wanted to focus on studies. It turned out that he had had a backup plan, deceiving me all along! Why didn't he just reject me outright back then, It would've been better than wasting three years of my feelings?

Jerk! I was a bit angry.

Just then, Jackson called out, and Alec turned his head and saw us, the smile on his face freezing instantly.

"Long time no see!" I said, practically spitting the words through clenched teeth.

Kristy hooked her arm around Alec's, as if to claim her territory, saying, "Isn't this Lillian, the one who was always at the bottom? You got into college too?"

Well done, Alec, back then I used to stick him like a limpet, and we wouldn't even hold hands. Now, he was letting someone hook his arm! If he had told me he and Kristy were dating, I could've moved on with more dignity.

The more I thought about it, the angrier I became, and I could no longer hold back the stinging sensation in my nose.

I turned to Jackson, muttered an apology, and squeezed my way out.

In the empty classroom, I sat alone, staring blankly out the window.

Eventually, my dormmate and close friend Rosalyn Patel found me and asked what was wrong.

I told her the whole story.

Rosalyn was a loyal friend; she dropped her books and dragged me out shopping, saying there was nothing a little retail therapy couldn't solve, and if it didn't, a big meal or a karaoke session would.

As it turned out, none of it worked. I was still felt down.

At the karaoke, Rosalyn ordered a few bottles of beer. But after just a couple of sips, she got a call from her boyfriend, who was coincidentally coming to the same karaoke place.

They were really in sync.

So, the small room became a big gathering.

Rosalyn's boyfriend was on the school basketball team. When he wasn't dating Rosalyn, he was playing basketball. Among the group included some very familiar faces.

Seeing Alec appear, I turned to leave immediately.

Jackson stopped me, saying, "Their girlfriends haven't arrived yet. Just keep Rosalyn company, or she'll be the only girl here."

Rosalyn quickly pulled me to the karaoke machine, smiling and saying, "Yeah! Keep me company. What do you want to sing?"

I shook my head, quietly picked up my unfinished beer, and hid in a corner.

"When did you start drinking?" A familiar deep voice pierced my ears, turning Rosalyn's singing into mere background noise.

"None of your business! I'm 18, I can drink," I replied.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Jackson threw an arm around Alec's shoulder, saying, "It's been a while since we met, right? Do you have a girlfriend now?"

Internally, I gave Jackson a big thumbs-up. Hurried up and said yes, so I could mock him a bit more.

"No," Alec replied.

"Really? What about that pretty girl today? She seemed quite attentive to you!" Jackson asked.

Before Alec could respond, I couldn't help but pat Jackson on the shoulder, saying, "Jackson, you might not know, but that girl was the beauty queen of our high school. Unfortunately, Alec enjoys stringing people along rather than dating, because we're still students and should focus on our studies."

After saying that, I drained the last of my beer in one go and used the excuse of going to the bathroom to escape the room.

Even the air in the bathroom felt fresher than inside. I caught a whiff of something nauseating and splashed water on my face at the sink.

I looked up at my reflection, my flushed face showing a hint of intoxication.

But in the next second, a familiar and terrifying face appeared behind me.

I turned around abruptly, nearly collapsing in fear.

It was Alec. He had followed me out, his expression dark, saying, "Come with me."