Part 1A Heartbeat Away

When I was seventeen, I had a secret crush.

My family was poor, so to buy him a birthday gift, I saved money for a whole year.

The day my mom had her accident, I left school early.

Just in time to hear him laughing and saying to his friend:

"This thing? Even the third prize at a restaurant is better than this."

His friend laughed loudly and said: "I know you don't care for it, Ethan, so give it to me. I can sell it and pay for a few internet cafe sessions."

"You want it? Then take it."

Ethan Vance threw it to him with disgust, and his gaze met mine.

Later, at a class reunion, I heard that Ethan Vance had been looking for me for eight years.

* * *

When my eyes met Ethan's, his expression stiffened slightly.

The male classmate holding the watch scratched his head awkwardly and said, "Do... do you want it back?"

I looked at the watch in his hand, which was mishandled and obviously not cherished.

The watch wasn't great, costing around a hundred dollars, but I had saved for nearly a year.

It was saved dollar by dollar from my lunch money.

My gaze fell on Ethan's wrist; he was wearing a watch today.

I couldn't recognize the brand, but I was certain that the watch on his wrist was much better than the one I gave him.

I silently took the watch from Ethan's friend, looked at Ethan, and said slowly, "Sorry, I'll handle it myself."

Ethan lowered his eyes, pursed his lips, and remained silent.

I rubbed the watch in my hand in embarrassment, turned around, and walked away.

Passing the first trash can at the school gate, I hardened my heart and threw the watch directly into the trash can.

I turned back and glanced at him.

He lifted his eyelids nonchalantly, a smile on his lips, his eyes full of mockery.

I was stunned and lowered my eyes.

It was humiliating, my secret crush.

At that time, I didn't know that this look from Ethan would become my nightmare.