Chapter 1

Everyone at school knew I was head-over-heels for Hugh Davies.

I'd bring him breakfast, tutor him, and even when he'd trip playing basketball, I'd practically be on my knees to help him tie his laces.

Until that day on the rooftop, when I overheard him say:

"Chloe? She's like glue, I can't shake her off. After the SATs, I'll tell her I'm applying to A University, and she'll totally follow me blindly. Then, Serena and I can just go to C University."

His friend asked, "Why don't you just dump her already?"

He sighed, "Can't do that. I'm afraid she wouldn't be able to handle it."

Later, I did go to A University, but he came crying to me, saying:

"But you always used to cling to me..."

I was on my way to bring Hugh breakfast, but now I was frozen stiff at the staircase.

Lately, Hugh had been pushing me hard to tutor him, claiming he wanted to apply to A University. Turns out, it was all just a lie to get rid of me.

One of his friends asked, curious:

"What if Chloe doesn't apply to A University?"

Hugh scoffed:

"If I say I'm going to A University, she'll definitely go. She's more clingy than my dog."

The whole group laughed.

Someone winked at Hugh:

"Honestly, only you could put up with a girl like that."

Hugh shrugged, "She's practically throwing herself at me, why would I say no to free attention?"

Another friend asked, intrigued:

"So, when are you finally going to tell Serena how you feel?"

A subtle smile touched Hugh's lips:

"She said she'd go out with me if I got into C University."

I don't know how long I stood there.

My ears were ringing so loud, and my chest felt so tight, it was like my heart was being squeezed.

On the way back to class, Hugh's words kept replaying in my head.

It reminded me of something that happened when I was ten.

A girl in our class told me:

"Hugh secretly told me to tell you he'll be waiting for you in our usual spot after school. He has something important to tell you!"

I went, full of hope.

I waited there like an idiot for what felt like forever.

Hugh never showed up, and the sky turned dark, then it started to rain.

I was cold and scared of the dark, eventually just crying all the way home.

Later, that same classmate made fun of me in class:

"See? She's so easy to fool!"

That day, Hugh exploded at her for the first time.

He promised me, looking me right in the eye:

"I'll never lie to you, Chloe!"

But now?