Chapter 3

Ever since I threw away Zachary's scarf, he never messaged me again.

I knew he was angry with me.

In the past, I would have coaxed him at times like this.

But this time I didn't want to bother anymore.

Until our mutual friend Jack called me.

"Olivia, you absolutely can't miss this gathering. Listen, Zachary wants to introduce someone to us. As his friend, you can't refuse to show your face, right?"

Friend. Always just a friend.

Even though I had secretly loved Zachary for so long, they were still certain that someone like him would never look twice at me.

After a while, I reluctantly agreed.

Zachary, let this be the last time I see you.

I arrived early at the agreed restaurant, but the guest of honor was late to arrive.

The restaurant was decorated very elegantly, with cute balloons even stuck to the walls.

They had Hello Kitty designs.

A shameful flutter of excitement suddenly rose in my heart.

All these years, I was the only female friend Zachary had.

For holidays and special occasions, he always gave me Hello Kitty gifts.

He said I looked just like Hello Kitty, especially cute.

But now, his whole group of friends were gathered around, and they had even queued up "Marry Me" to play.

I unconsciously clenched my fists.

My heart was pounding loudly.

Zachary couldn't be planning to confess to me, could he?

"Sorry I'm late, everyone."

A lazy voice drifted over.

I instinctively turned to look.

The overhead lights shone on Zachary's neatly trimmed hair as he greeted us, holding a girl's hand.

The girl had a face like a first love - very pretty.

She shyly hid behind him.

Zachary ruffled her hair and whispered something in her ear.

Her face suddenly turned red, and she playfully hit Zachary.

"This is my girlfriend, Tessa."

He sat down casually, pulling the girl with him.

The private room immediately erupted in teasing shouts.

"Ooh, so this is our little sister-in-law? She's so cute!"

I was stunned for a long time, unable to react.

Belatedly, a sour feeling welled up in my nose.

I was so stupid to think he was going to confess to me.

I had thought that the reason Zachary hadn't dated anyone all these years was at least partly because of me.

Even if it was just a tiny part.

But I had forgotten - he didn't like me at all.

Jack slammed his beer bottle on the table:

"Zach, you're not being fair! Isn't this your high school deskmate? Come on, tell the truth, did you have a secret crush on her back then?"

The teasing grew even louder.

Someone switched the music from "Marry Me" to "Marry You".

Along with the music, Zachary cursed with a red face:

"What are you talking about?! If I liked her in high school, why would it take until now to get her?"

Someone pushed me.

"Olivia, you were closest to Zachary in high school. Tell us, did he like little sis-in-law back then?"

The laughter filling the room felt like shards of glass stabbing my ears.

I forced my lips into a slight curve:

"Is that so? I might not remember clearly. After all, Zachary and I were just ordinary friends."

It felt like a dull knife was cutting into my chest.

How could I possibly not remember clearly when it came to Zachary?

But back then, it wasn't Zachary who liked Tessa, it was Tessa who liked Zachary.

Unlike me, Tessa was open and direct about liking Zachary.

Passing love notes, giving chocolates, causing a stir throughout the class.

Zachary found her annoying and warned her off several times.

In the end, when he really couldn't stand her anymore, he used me as a shield.

"Tessa, I already like someone."

The boy had one hand in his pocket as he casually put an arm around me.

"Olivia isn't even pretty, what do you like about her?"

Zachary's expression suddenly darkened:

"I just like her, okay? It's none of your business."

Tessa ran back to the classroom crying and never bothered him again after that.

In that moment, I thought there must have been a grain of truth in Zachary's joking words.

Otherwise, why use me as a shield instead of someone else?

But now it seems that was just thoughtless words spoken in our youth.

They could be blown away by the slightest breeze.

But I had foolishly taken them to heart.

In the private room, they had started playing truth or dare.

Zachary had lost several rounds and was drunkenly leaning against Tessa.

His eyes were gentle, his expression adoring.

He was just like that 17-year-old boy again.

He and Tessa were whispering about something, and he leaned down to kiss her cheek.

I couldn't watch anymore and fled the room like a deserter.