Chapter 2

I had a small, rundown apartment in the suburbs that my parents had left me. I hadn't lived there for years, but now it was my only refuge.

I spent three hours cleaning every nook and cranny until I was nearly exhausted. After a shower, I noticed a missed call on my phone.

My heart skipped a beat. Could it be Ryan?

But when I unlocked the screen, I saw it was from my best friend, Brooke. I couldn't help but laugh bitterly at myself.

Old habits die hard, I guess. I was still foolishly hoping for his call, while he was probably having a great time with Madeline.

I was about to call Brooke back when her call came through again.

"Elena, did you have another fight with Ryan? Why bother? You'll end up crawling back to him anyway, crying your eyes out."

Brooke's words cut deep.

Standing by the window, I shivered in the cold breeze. "It's really over this time. We won't be getting back together."

Brooke hesitated for a moment. "Really? What if he gets down on his knees and begs you to take him back?"

I let out a cold laugh. "I'm not a glutton for punishment. It's been five years. I've finally woken up."

"I don't believe you!" Brooke exclaimed, then quickly changed the subject. "Unless... you come to our high school reunion tomorrow."

I was puzzled. "..."

What did that have to do with anything?

Brooke scoffed. "I knew you weren't serious about breaking up."

I sighed. "...Fine, I'll be there tomorrow, dressed to the nines. Happy now?"

Brooke seemed satisfied. "There's a surprise waiting for you!"

What kind of surprise could there be?

I was too tired to guess. "If you keep being mysterious, I'm going to bed."

Brooke quickly spilled the beans. "Your high school crush, Mr. Gu, will be there too."

Those three words jolted me wide awake, my hand tightening around the phone.

Mr. Gu was our nickname for him. His real name was Julian Gray.

He was the unattainable dream guy from our innocent high school days, the crush of most of the girls in our school.

Smart, handsome, great at basketball, gentle and dignified.

Brooke teased, "The whole point of this reunion is to welcome him back to the country. I heard he's still single, and now you're single too. Isn't this the perfect opportunity?"

I went to the bathroom and looked at my haggard reflection in the mirror, laughing bitterly. "That's all in the past."

I hung up and silently applied a face mask.