Chapter 18: Deal!
Emily dragged her cycle slowly, its wheels squeaking faintly as she navigated the familiar streets of her neighborhood.
The first time she had seen Alex when they were children—just five years old. His small hand clung to his mother's finger, refusing to let go while frightened eyes fixed on the unfamiliar world around him. Unlike the other girls who swooned over his bold, confident face, Emily had always remembered that look of vulnerability. It was the first thing that had made her feel connected to him.
She often thought back to that year—just one year—when they played together on the slides, shared toys, and built castles in the sand. The memories, vivid and sweet, felt like an imprint on her heart. After he left, she heard nothing but stories of him—the talented, successful Alex, who had grown into the person everyone admired. Emily joined fan clubs, hoping that somehow, someway, she'd cross paths with him again, and maybe he'd remember her.
Middle school had brought a twist of fate...Emily discovered that her best friend was none other than Alex's adopted brother. It felt like a dream come true. Hope surged within her when she learned that they both would attend her school.
She could hardly believe it—Alex was in their class but he barely attended classes, until, a few days ago, he suddenly decided to show up.
Emily felt a rush of excitement, she was happy just to see him again, recalling their childhood memories. She often found herself smiling at him, hoping he would remember her.
But cruel fate had struck again. Just when it seemed like there was a chance for something more, Alex drifted away once again, leaving her heartbroken. Why? Why did this always happen to her?
Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed the blue-haired boy standing in the middle of the road until it was too late. A sudden bump startled her as the front wheel of her cycle hit between his legs.
"Yo, glasses!" he snapped, glancing back at her with a smirk. His eyes quickly shifted to the wheel wedged between his legs, and she realized she had unknowingly crashed into him.
A few other boys, who looked like trouble, flanked him. Hooligans, Emily thought, instantly feeling a knot tighten in her stomach. The carefree bubble she had been floating in shattered instantly, replaced by the tension of the unexpected encounter.
"Blue, who's this one?" a guy with a scar on his hand asked, eyeing Emily. "She seems lost."