Part 2The Villain Gets the Girl

The male lead transferred to our class the next day.

When he introduced himself as Julian Summerfield, I knew it. He was the one.

My dream wasn't baseless; this was all real.

Just like in the novel, Julian was seated next to Chloe.

I sat diagonally behind Chloe. A slight turn of my head, and I could see their backs.

On the first day, Julian probably hadn't received his new textbooks yet.

Chloe placed her worksheet between their desks so they could share.

The math teacher was explaining a crucial concept. Both of them lowered their heads simultaneously to look at the problem.

They looked up at the same time, finding their faces inches apart.

Realizing the awkwardness, both quickly sat up straight.

I couldn't see their expressions, but I clearly saw Julian awkwardly bring a fist to his mouth and cough lightly.

And Chloe's ears and neck turned bright red.

A strange feeling bubbled up inside me.

I steadied myself and looked away.

This is what I wanted, right?

Ethan Vance, stop looking at women! Focus on studying!

I took a deep breath and forced my attention to the blackboard.

After the first period, several girls gathered around Julian's desk.

I glanced over. Two of them were the "artsy" girls in our class, known for partying and dating around.

The male lead is handsome; naturally, he attracted their attention.

Suddenly surrounded, Julian looked overwhelmed in his seat.

As the class monitor, I was about to go over and maintain order, but I saw Chloe returning from the bathroom and stepping in front of Julian.

"Nothing better to do? I just saw Mr. Davis in the lobby, heading this way."

Hearing the homeroom teacher was coming, the girls scattered back to their seats.

Julian smiled shyly at Chloe in gratitude. I sheepishly pulled back the leg I was about to step forward with.

A moment later, Mr. Davis did appear at the door.

But he didn't come in. Instead, he waved me over to the office to check some files.

Standing in the office, mechanically searching through a stack of papers for my classmates' tests...

My mind was filled with the image from earlier: the girl in the blue and white uniform, backlit by the window, shielding the anxious boy behind her.

And the boy looking at her with eyes full of gratitude and shyness.

That must be what liking someone looks like.

Sure enough, the male and female leads are destined to attract each other.

It's only the first day, and they're already like positive and negative poles, rapidly closing the distance.

I looked at the answer sheet I had absentmindedly flipped through and shook my head, trying to shake those unwanted emotions out of my brain.

Walking home with Chloe that night, I was unusually silent, contrary to my usual chatterbox self.

Surprisingly, Chloe, usually the listener, spoke first.

"What's wrong today? Something on your mind?"

I looked up into her confused and concerned eyes.

What should I say? That what I'm thinking about has to do with her?

Growing up together for over ten years, this was the first time I hesitated to speak to her.

After thinking for a while, I could only ask indirectly.

"What do you think... of Julian Summerfield?"

A flicker of confusion passed through Chloe's eyes.

"Why ask about him?"

"Oh, you know, I'm the class monitor. Gotta get to know the classmates, makes communication easier later."

I lied with a laugh, but Chloe nodded understandingly.

"Him? He's nice. A very quiet guy."

It was a neutral comment, but my heart sank inexplicably.

Freshman year, our parents suspected us of dating early.

We sat between our two dads explaining for nearly an afternoon.

But because Chloe said, "How could I like Ethan Vance? If I liked anyone, it would be a quiet guy."

I punched her several times right in front of our parents.

That was also when the slight flutter in my adolescent heart for her was strangled in the cradle.

My feelings for her were complicated. At least, I couldn't figure them out myself.

We were just childhood friends who grew up bickering.

So why am I so sad right now?

I didn't speak again the whole way. She just walked quietly beside me.

When we parted ways at our doors, she hesitated, then just said one thing.

"See you tomorrow."