Chapter 2

On Saturday, Zoe and I waited outside the boys' dormitory with two tents, ready for Jack.

Zoe is my roommate and my best friend at Southern University. When I first met her, I felt drawn to her. There was something familiar about her, as if we'd met before.

Jack came out of the dorm building with his arm around a petite figure whose face was hidden by a baseball cap. As they got closer, I realized it was a girl. She was even wearing Jack's baseball jacket.

Seeing them, Zoe got angry on my behalf. She confronted Jack, "Who is she? You're supposed to be taking Sophia to the beach, and now you're bringing another girl? And she's so shameless, going into the boys' dorm!"

I regretted not telling Zoe earlier that Jack was bringing Chloe. But this wasn't even Chloe.

The girl glanced at Zoe and snuggled closer to Jack. In a coy voice, she said, "Jack, she's so mean. I'm scared."

Jack patted her head and snapped back at Zoe, "If Sophia doesn't mind, why should you care? You're not even involved. Aren't you just tagging along uninvited?"

I stepped in front of Zoe. "I insisted that Zoe come. You can treat me however you want, but don't talk to Zoe like that!"

Seeing that I was genuinely upset, Jack's tone softened slightly. "She started it. But fine, I'll be the bigger person and let it go."

Zoe tried to argue further, but I quickly pulled her away. "Come on, Zoe, let's go. Just think of it as accompanying me to the beach. Don't let this ruin your mood."

As we walked away, Zoe said, "I can't stand to see you treated like this! What's so great about that two-timing jerk that you have to put up with this?"

I replied softly, "He may not be good, but his heart is good..."

"Huh?" Zoe looked confused, but I didn't explain further.

Southern University isn't far from the beach, so we took a taxi. By early evening, the beach was crowded with campers, mostly college students out for fun.

I had just finished setting up the two tents when I overheard two girls talking nearby.

"Did you hear about that incredibly handsome guy from your school who got into a car accident recently?"

"Yeah, he was a genius too, top of his class in every subject!"

"Such a tragedy... What was his name again?"

"Ethan Sky..."

When I heard that name, my blood ran cold. My heart felt like it was being torn apart, and I couldn't breathe.

I watched the sun slowly disappear below the horizon, leaving behind a darkening sky. Just like my world without him - pitch black.

I had lost him forever.