Chapter 5 No.5

For the next few days, Ava stayed in her room. Ethan and Chloe were out from morning till night, sometimes not coming home at all.

On Sunday, the tenth day before her departure, she went to the high school reunion.

A classmate handed her a drink. She took it. This was a toast to her youth, a farewell to her classmates.

After one glass, she felt a little dizzy and went to the hallway for some air.

Through the glass wall of a private room, she saw Ethan, surrounded by a group of people.

She forced herself to look away, but she heard someone in the room talking about Ethan's upcoming engagement and what would happen to Ava.

Then, she heard Ethan's familiar, cool voice.

She's an adult now. Her affairs are no longer my concern.

Ava stood by the door, her eyes lowered, and murmured, "I'm an adult. I'm sensible. From now on, my world won't have you in it either."

She went to the window to get some air, then to the restroom to splash her face with cold water, trying to clear her head.

When she came out, she ran into a tipsy Ethan. Their eyes met.

Just then, Chloe's sweet voice called out, "Ethan!" She threw herself into his arms, complaining that she had had too much to drink.

Ethan kissed her forehead dotingly and swept her up into a princess carry, walking away.

Ava stood there for a long time, unmoving.

Why are you crying? her classmate, Summer, asked.

Ava forced a smile. "An eyelash got in my eye."

Summer sighed. "I always thought he would never date anyone, that he would just protect you forever. He used to dote on you so much."

A bitter taste filled Ava's mouth. "We both have our own lives to live. We can't be tied together forever."

What a shame, Summer said. "I always thought he was your boyfriend. You two looked so good together."

Ava's heart felt damp. The bonds between people were predestined. She and Ethan would only ever be guardian and ward, nothing more.

When the party ended, she saw Ethan and Chloe waiting for her outside.

It's the middle of the night, and you're still not home. You're getting more and more out of hand, Ethan scolded.

Chloe gently chided him, then smiled at Ava. "You have him to protect you now, and you'll have a boyfriend to protect you in the future. Let's go home together."

Ava followed behind them, her eyes lowered. It started to rain again.

Ethan held an umbrella over Chloe, tilting it towards her, his own shirt getting soaked on one side.

Ava remembered how he used to hold the umbrella for her, always tilting it in her direction. He used to say she was a delicately raised rose that couldn't get wet.

Raindrops fell on her white dress, bringing a chill with them.

She came back to her senses and walked into the rain alone.

A rose can't get wet, but she would be her own sunflower, always bright and brilliant.