Recently, Ryan had openly courted Laura, while I did nothing.
Some classmates, who were on good terms with me, worried and asked why I wasn’t making a move when Ryan was about to take Laura away.
I was busy grading test papers when I said casually, "It doesn’t matter. We’re just classmates. Who she chooses to be friends with is her business."
At lunch in the cafeteria, Ryan and his group of followers were teasing Laura, calling her "girlfriend."
Laura, wanting to protect her "top student" image, usually had me to fend off these annoying antics.
But now that I had dropped that act, she had to handle it herself.
"Go away, keep your distance," she said firmly.
Ryan and his gang were thick-skinned and ignored her words.
Laura didn’t push them further away perhaps she enjoyed the attention, basking in the feeling of being admired.
Afterward, Laura came looking for me several times, but I ignored her each time.
Too proud, neither of us spoke.
I was glad for the peace.
Since then, Laura had softened toward Ryan.
After holding her ground for so long, maybe she wanted to give him some kindness.
Spurred by male pride, Ryan seemed convinced I still liked Laura.
He habitually sent me photos of them together.
Photos of them shopping, Laura’s neat notes he’d asked her to make, pictures of them skipping class to watch sunsets.
It felt like he was recreating the life I once had with Laura.
But a photo of them going to the coast caught me off guard.
They’d skipped a whole week of classes and were caught by the principal.
The school principal came looking for me to talk to Laura after all, she was the kind of student elite colleges hoped for.
The principal couldn’t accept watching such a promising student fall into bad company.
I could only reply helplessly, "I haven’t been in contact with Laura for a long time. I can’t influence her choices, sorry."
The principal sighed, disappointed that their star pupil was dating a small-time troublemaker and throwing away her potential.
"If I had to choose, I’d pick you. Ryan has only his looks nothing else. I’m worried they’ll do something reckless."
"Principal, please don’t say that. I’m not interested in dating anyone. My focus is on studying," I quickly denied any relationship with Laura determined to avoid any ties this time.
Though I didn’t want to be involved, Ryan wouldn’t leave me alone.
After returning from the coast trip, they were caught by school authorities just before the college entrance exams.
Thanks to Laura’s high scores, the school didn’t punish them severely just warnings and self-criticism.
Ryan, for some reason, thought I had reported them.
After school, he and his gang blocked me in an alley.
Chapter 03
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