Chapter 2

So I asked him to take the kitten to the animal hospital with me right after class, offering to cover the entire vet bill.

I named the little guy Mochi.

During the first few days of recovery, Mochi was terrified and aggressive toward everyone.

The only time he calmed down was when he curled up in my arms and purred himself to sleep.

Austin showed me the scratch marks all over his forearms and laughed it off, calling Mochi an ungrateful little brat.

He never lost his temper once.

That made me believe he was genuinely kind, patient, and grounded.

So on an ordinary weeknight,

when he waited by the lecture hall stairs as usual,

I took the initiative and slipped my hand into his.

"I say yes."

The very next morning, he called me at dawn, rambling about how he hadn't slept a wink from sheer excitement.

"Scarlett, I'm waiting outside your dorm."

My sleepiness vanished instantly. I rushed to wash up, put on light makeup, and dashed downstairs.

He stood beneath the oak tree, holding a massive bouquet of fresh flowers.

He wasn't glued to his phone; his gaze was fixed entirely on the dorm doors.

The aloof look on his face melted into the brightest smile the moment I walked out.

"Everyone says real romance starts with fresh flowers. I didn't want our relationship to feel casual."

"Scarlett, will you be my girlfriend?"

His love had felt so fierce, so honest.

In return, I showed him my truest, most unguarded self.

Yet barely six months later, Austin was an entirely different person.

Seeing my silence, Austin leaned down.

He brushed the tip of his nose against my forehead before pressing a soft kiss there.

"Look, I know you took that crappy job to buy me a birthday gift, but guys have egos, Scarlett."

"If my frat bros see you looking stunning, they'll envy me and praise you. Isn't that a win-win for both of us?"

Seeing the pleading look in his eyes, and desperately wanting this relationship to work, I caved.

From that day on, no matter how exhausted or rushed I was, I never stepped outside without makeup.

Except for these past few days. My cramps were killing me, and I felt completely drained.

So I bundled myself up from head to toe just to avoid bumping into Austin's friends.

I never could have imagined my luck was so terrible that someone would snap a photo of me and post it on the campus forum.

While my roommates were still buzzing about the viral post, Austin’s call came through.

I walked onto the balcony, feeling a nauseating mix of anxiety and faint hope as I picked up.

"Scarlett, what the hell did you promise me the other night?!"

"Do you have any idea how fast that post is trending? My friends are already trying to doxx that lunch lady!"

The sheer fury in his voice sent my stomach plunging straight into an abyss.

I thought he was calling out of jealousy, but clearly, his pathetic social status was all that mattered.

Before I could get a word out, a soft, sugary voice filtered through the speaker.

"Austin, stop yelling at her. I'm sure Scarlett has her reasons."

"Maybe she's just trying to go viral so she can secure the host spot for the Arts Gala next week."

Hearing Chloe’s venomous undertone, I clenched my fists. "Why are you with her again?"

"Austin, I am your girlfriend!"

He answered dismissively, "Call me when you stop embarrassing me."

The line went dead, leaving behind a cold dial tone. Silent tears finally spilled over my cheeks.

Terrified of letting my roommates hear me cry, I bolted into the bathroom.

Afraid of exposing my real account, I created a burner account to message the forum administrator.

“Hi, I'm the student working in the dining hall in that viral photo. Could you please take the post down? It's causing me a lot of stress.”

The admin replied within seconds.

He said the original poster had to be the one to request the takedown.

I asked for the OP’s handle and sent a friend request.

The request sat pending.

Overwhelmed by distress, sharp cramps tore through my lower abdomen in violent waves.

I leaned against the tiled wall, struggling to stand, and dragged myself back to bed after choking down a painkiller.

Pale as a ghost and drenched in a cold sweat,

I curled into a ball beneath the sheets and passed out.

When I woke up, the dorm was pitch black and completely empty. An overwhelming wave of loneliness crushed down on me.

I checked my phone; there was only a single new notification.

It was from the original poster. Just two simple words: “Hello.”