Chapter 3

The next time I saw Jax Hayes, it was when I went to the police station with Julian.

Inside the station, he suddenly started twirling the black pen on the table, swaying slightly, and then pulled my hand to draw small flowers.

"Julian? You haven't answered my question yet."

I had already noticed he wasn't himself. I quickly told the officer, "He needs a moment to recall. We'll be right back."

I dragged Jax out of the police station.

He smirked and whistled. "Well, hello there, pretty lady. Long time no see."

I closed my eyes, then opened them, steeling my resolve. I slapped him hard.

No change. Julian didn't come back.

Jax blinked, then laughed even harder.

"Such a fiery temper."

"Be my girlfriend."

He gripped my wrist, pulling me hard into his embrace.

I could only manage a shaky voice, shouting at him, "I won't date early!"

Jax looked stunned. The concept of "early dating" seemed alien to him. He started clutching his stomach, as if about to burst out laughing. "You're so cute."

"Early what? Dating me, it's nothing but regret you didn't meet me sooner."

He raised an eyebrow.

My lips moved, but I couldn't think of a single thing to retort.

Jax roughly ruffled my hair. "Alright, alright, I'll wait for you until graduation."

"...Who wants you to wait?!"

I couldn't take it anymore.

"Wait for what?"

The person in front of me was no longer a rogue. Only confusion remained in his eyes.

All my energy drained away. I said weakly, "Wait for a natural, clear day, I want to take you to the beach."

Julian's brow furrowed slightly.

I turned my head. "You haven't heard that song?"

He blinked, looking gentle, humble, and polite. "No."

"Silly."

The police officer said things would get better.

We both believed it, and it turned out to be true. Half a month later, Julian's parents lost custody, and his guardian became his grandmother, who lived abroad.

I asked Julian why he hadn't saved himself all this time. Julian didn't have an answer either.

He said he was just too tired.