Chapter 5

After class, my friend Rose Grant excitedly came up to me and said.

"You've known Keith for so long. I thought you two would end up together."

I was puzzled.

She saw my reaction and asked, "You didn't know?"

"What?"

"Keith's dating someone! Beverly Fields from the next department!"

We hadn't been in touch since I stopped picking up his calls. I didn't expect him to have time to start a relationship.

Honestly, I felt a bit melancholic and empty.

For the past two years, he had been looking out for me. Even though he wanted to do evil things to me, I couldn't just walk away immediately.

I knew what I felt for him wasn't love.

I felt like a helpless fool who couldn't function without an older person around.

How had I become like this?

Was it because of Keith?

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a ringtone.

I hesitated but answered the call.

"Eliza?"

His deep, gentle voice came through the phone.

I responded with a complicated "Mm."

"The club has a social event coming up in a few days. Do you want to join?"

To be honest, I wasn't in the mood to see him.

"No, I need to focus on my paper."

There was a brief silence.

"Alright. But could we grab a meal sometime? I'd like you to meet my girlfriend."

I felt a mix of emotions.

"I don't think I'll have time anytime soon."

"It's okay. Whenever you have time, we can meet then."

Why did we have to meet? Would the world end if we didn't?

I sighed, feeling exhausted.