Part 3Fleeting Blossoms, Bittersweet Endings

Because Owen had spent the entire summer abroad with his grandparents, I went to school alone on the first day of our senior year. He called me when he found out, insisting I wait for him. I stood by the school gate for a long time, from morning until afternoon, even skipping lunch. His calls went unanswered, messages unread.

It wasn't until the academic office was about to close that he rushed over, breathless. He grabbed my hand and explained, “I actually could have been here this morning, but I accidentally hit someone on my bike.”

I frowned, “Are you okay?”

He shook his head, “I’m fine. It was a girl from our school. I took her to the hospital to get checked out; she just twisted her ankle.”

“I was running around, and came straight here as soon as I was done.”

Seeing his face flushed from overexertion, my heart softened, and I couldn't really stay mad. I just casually asked, “What’s her name?”

Owen thought for a moment, then replied, “Willow Reed. Willow, as in the tree, and Reed as in a marsh plant.”

I thought it was a trivial incident that would quickly pass.

I was wrong. The very next day, during physical education, a slender girl limped over. She wore a faded school uniform and carried a worn paper bag. She approached Owen, offering the paper bag with both hands, her lips pressed tightly together.

“Owen, thank you for taking me to the hospital yesterday and paying for my medical expenses.”

“These are rice balls I made myself. Please have some.”

Owen waved his hands repeatedly, “It was my fault I accidentally hit you yesterday, so I should have taken you to the hospital. No need to thank me.”

The girl shook her head, her expression stubborn, “No, I must thank you.”

With that, she tried to press the paper bag into Owen’s arms. Owen refused. They went back and forth, and the girl lost her footing, about to fall backward. In a moment of panic, Owen reached out and grabbed her hand.

The instant their palms touched, the girl’s face flushed crimson. She quickly placed the bag on the ground, then stumbled away.

Watching her retreating figure, I narrowed my eyes.

“Is she Willow Reed?”

Owen nodded.

For some reason, the first time I saw her, I felt an uneasy sensation. So I said, “I don’t like her. Stay away from her.”

Owen looked surprised but still nodded.

But the other person's persistence was simply too much.