Chapter 8

Did Ethan actually come to Lyla's house to look for me? I found that a bit unbelievable. He hated me so much. Why would he come looking for me? He was probably here to make me apologize to Leah. Thinking about how he demanded I apologize to Leah last night, I chuckled and picked up my pen and exam paper again. "Just because he wants to see me doesn't mean I have to go. If he wants to wait, let him wait." My mock exam scores before the break were two points lower than I expected. How many people could I surpass in the college entrance exam with just two extra points? Why would I waste my time on people who didn't matter? I focused on my revision, but Lyla couldn't seem to sit still. She kept sneaking glances at me, getting up to drink water, or going to the bathroom every few minutes. Her phone kept buzzing on the table. After silencing it several times, Lyla finally couldn't take it anymore and took away my pen and exam paper. "Babe, stop writing for a moment. Tell me what's on your mind." After staring at the exam paper for hours, my eyes felt sore. When Lyla took away my pen and paper, it was the perfect excuse to rest my eyes. "What do you mean?" I blinked as I tried to relieve the dryness in my eyes. "Ethan," Lyla moved closer to me and turned my face toward her. "Are you really planning to give up on him? You used to be so determined, you know." I repeated her words silently to myself, feeling a sudden tightness in my chest. Yeah, I used to be so determined. But Lyla, when someone keeps hurting you, no matter how much you love them, you eventually have to let go. I had already been through the exhausting chase, and it's too draining. Really, it was too draining. I didn't want to experience that feeling of helplessness ever again. "I guess I just figured things out," I said, looking into Lyla's eyes. "It's like when you suddenly stopped being obsessed with that idol a while back." Lyla objected, "But that's because I found more important things to do." "And so did I." I smiled and reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "Lyla, I love fashion design. I love the confidence and brightness that comes when a girl puts on clothes that truly suit her. "I also want to do what I can to help those who need it. "Love…" I paused. "Love takes too much out of you. I just want to be myself." After I finished speaking, Lyla suddenly hugged me, her voice filled with concern. "Alright. Then, I hope you'll be the best version of yourself this time." "I will," I smiled and returned her hug. Just as I was about to suggest that we get back to studying, one of the maids suddenly rushed in. "Ms. Cobb, Mr. Grayson is climbing over the wall." "What?" Lyla released me and stared outside in disbelief. "Ethan is climbing over our wall?" "Yes." Lyla slammed her hand on the table and stood up in a huff as she rolled up her sleeves and headed for the door. "You wait here. I'll go kick him out!" "I'll go." I stopped her and glanced outside, where a young man in a white T-shirt was deftly climbing the wall in the drizzling rain. The moment I looked out, he noticed me, and our eyes met. I didn't want to waste time on something so pointless with Ethan, but I didn't want to cause any trouble for Lyla either. "Tell Ethan that I'll be out in a minute and have him wait," I said to the maid. Then, I asked her to bring me an umbrella and slowly made my way outside. The light rain fell gently, collecting in droplets on the transparent umbrella before sliding off. Ethan stood under a sycamore tree by the roadside, his entire presence exuding a cold aura. I paused for a moment, and Ethan looked up at me. His eyes were clear, but they radiated indifference, along with a hint of... agitation? It had only been about 20 minutes since he called Lyla, and he was already getting anxious? Agitated? I raised an eyebrow, amused. "Evelyn, you're something else." His voice was a bit hoarse, and he sounded like he had a stuffy nose. I touched my wrist, which had just warmed up inside but was now cold again. It was pretty chilly. In the past, I would've been worried that he'd catch a cold, but now I only wondered if I should I ask him to cover the medical bill if I got sick. "What do you mean?" I asked as I walked over and stopped about a meter away from him. I tilted my head slightly to look at him. "Are you saying it's 'something else' that I didn't immediately come out to see you after you called, or is it 'something else' that I'm standing here with an umbrella while you're getting soaked?" Ethan's face darkened with every word I said. "Evelyn, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you? Trying to provoke me? Suddenly saying you don't like me anymore, getting all touchy with Liam, is that it? "You think I'll get jealous, or that I'll panic? What's next?" He kept accusing me of doing things on purpose, stepping closer with each word, until he was standing under my umbrella. "What other tricks do you have? Hmm?" When I came out, I couldn't figure out why Ethan was looking for me. But now, I think I got it. He thought everything I'd been doing lately was just some reverse psychology game aimed at him. He thought I was trying to mess with him. I stared at him, and he simply stared back. After several seconds, I finally spoke. "Do you realize how self-centered you are?" I stepped back, moving the umbrella away from his head. The rain quickly began to drip down his finely chiseled features, running down his jawline and soaking into his white T-shirt. "Or have your language skills become so advanced that no one else can understand them? You interpret everything in reverse. Aren't you worried you'll flunk the college entrance exam?" After hearing my sarcastic remark, Ethan's face turned from dark to ashen, and the veins on his forehead started twitching. He took several deep breaths and gritted his teeth as he spoke. "You're not allowed to have anything to do with Liam anymore!" "Why?" I retorted coldly. "What gives you the right to interfere with who I befriend?" "I said you're not allowed!" Ethan was starting to lose his patience. "Just because you say so? Who do you think you are?" I reached up to tuck a windblown strand of hair behind my ear, flashing him a sweet smile. Then, I imitated Leah's saccharine tone as I asked, "Or should I say, who are you to me?"