Chapter 2

In the screening room, the table was loaded with snacks and fruit.

As soon as Catherine sat down, she pushed the grapes in front of Victor.

A male classmate next to them teased:

"Catherine's so biased! She knows Victor loves grapes, so she saves the whole plate for him."

Others joined in the teasing. Victor pushed the plate away somewhat helplessly.

But his tone revealed satisfaction:

"Everyone share them. Catherine bought me plenty."

"If there's not enough, I can go back to the room and get more."

But Catherine pulled the plate back, a smile playing on her lips:

"I'll go get more. You eat these first."

As she got up to leave, the teasing in the screening room exploded:

"Victor says one thing and Catherine immediately does it! She treats you so well!"

Victor ate grapes while laughing, then suddenly called my name:

"Owen, when Catherine brings more, you should eat some too."

"I remember you also love grapes."

The door opened. Catherine walked in carrying two plates of grapes, placing them all in front of Victor.

She knew too.

Over these three years I'd bought grapes countless times, and heard her complain to me countless times:

"Don't eat so many. These grapes are so sweet—you'll break out again."

I casually picked up an orange as Kelly called out:

"Owen, where's Maya?"

Everyone looked over. I peeled the orange without looking up:

"She had something urgent to handle."

Kelly sounded disappointed:

"Then you two are a no-go. But that's fine—the other pair will definitely work out!"

Catherine's gaze lingered on me for a moment, then moved away:

"The documentary's starting."

Her voice carried a breathy quality as she skillfully handed Victor a grape.

The documentary was a full two hours.

Everyone was thoroughly engaged, laughing and teasing whenever Catherine and Victor appeared on screen.

"Catherine's wiping Victor's sweat again! He runs fifty meters and you follow closer than the cameraman."

"Look at that—water bottles, mini fans, sunscreen, everything prepared!"

"Victor, Catherine's pursuit of you was known across campus. How could you hold out and not accept? You made her stay single for four years, and even at graduation she still can't forget you!"

Victor looked at Catherine, his eyes tender:

"I thought campus romance was unstable. I wanted to wait until after graduation to consider it."

"I never imagined she'd wait this long for me."

A girl egged them on:

"Catherine, these four years of waiting must have been hard, right?"

Catherine gazed at him, chin dipping slightly:

"It was okay."

Two short words containing four years of patience and longing.

Sighs of sympathy rose around the room. Only I laughed inwardly.

Hard? What was hard about it? She pursued Victor passionately for half a year with no results, then got into tennis.

I was the main player on the school tennis team. She asked me to coach her for six months, and right at the start of sophomore year, she confessed to me.

Of course she was okay.

Though our relationship wasn't public, we were happy together. Very happy.

Or perhaps only I thought we were happy.

I lowered my head to eat some orange. The guy next to me suddenly pointed at the screen and shouted:

"Owen, why is the class secretary holding a parasol for you? Did she have a crush on you?"

The topic shifted to me.

"No, she was just passing by."

I shook my head. The guy continued:

"Too bad the class secretary didn't come today. But she clearly liked you. You should consider it—I think you two would be good together."

Catherine was pouring water for Victor, movements smooth, as if she hadn't heard our conversation.

I smiled faintly:

"No thanks."

"Actually, I have a girlfriend."

That figure suddenly froze, fingers clenching into her palm.

I understood her—she was afraid I'd say something reckless.

But the guy grabbed my arm, asking loudly:

"Who? Is she a girl from our class?"

Dozens of eyes turned toward me. I maintained my smile and nodded:

"Yes."