Chapter 6
Felix Hartwell really is a good guy.[]
He’s a friend of my friend.[]
He’s gentle and polite to everyone. Even at parties with like fifteen people, he never lets anyone’s comments fall flat.[]
I met him at a group hangout.]
I couldn’t stomach the food there, only tried a few bites, and went hungry all night.[]
Felix has a UK driver’s license. He ended
“P driving me and my friend back to our dorm.
When we passed the house he shares with roommates, he stopped for a bit and went upstairs to grab something–two soufflés.
One for me, one for my friend.[]
He handed me the box with this gentle smile, eyes slightly upturned.[]
“Made these this afternoon. Try them.“[]
“You can eat in the car.‘
:“0
༠༩
I thanked him, then started crying in the car because it smelled so good.]
All the homesickness, academic pressure, and sadness from not eating well had been building up. Suddenly tasting something delicious, I couldn’t hold back–tears just kept falling.
My friend freaked out and gently elbowed me: “What’s wrong?“]
I sniffled: “Nothing, it just tastes so good.”
My friend slapped her knee: “Girl, we’re hitting him up for food tomorrow.“[]
“He’s an amazing cook.”
I didn’t know him well enough to just show up.
Next day, my friend brought back a lunchbox and shoved it at me.[]
“I went hunting and came back with loot.“[]
The cute ceramic container had rice packed tight–half was covered with tomato scrambled chicken wings arranged like a little wall.]
eggs
and
half wasn’t. Plus Coke
I casually asked my friend about Felix’s preferences, wanting to return the favor.[]
She asked around and came back to tell me: “He just wants your number.“[]
Does that even count as a gift?
I gave it to him and picked out something else to send over.[]
Chapter 6
That’s how Felix and I started.]
Kieran didn’t move an inch.[]
He said: “Good guys can fake it.“[]
“You’ve only known each other three months. He might be trying to scam you.“[]
His gaze settled on my face.[]
“He probably just thinks you look pathetic, thinks you’re easy to fool.“[]
What the hell did I do to piss him off now?]
“Kieran, you always think the worst of people.“]]
Three months really wasn’t long enough to fully know Felix.[]
But that’s how all relationships start.[]
At least being with him made me happy.
He was always gentle, never said hurtful shit.[]
I shoved Kieran hard.]
He wasn’t expecting it and stumbled back two steps.
I went around him, ran upstairs, and locked my door.
There were some plants I didn’t recognize on my balcony.
I took a photo and sent it to our housekeeper.[]
[What are these?]]]
She replied: [Blue plumbago. Your brother grew them and had me bring them over, so you’d have flowers when you come back next year.]
Blue plumbago–I used to like them.[]
When I first moved in here, I thought the balcony looked empty and wanted some plants.]
Hearing blue plumbago was easy to care for, after school, I bought five pots and brought them home.
But Kieran wouldn’t even let me in the house.
He stood on the steps blocking the door, his still–young face full of annoyance.]
“I’m allergic to pollen.”
“Throw them away.”
“You get out too. Wash up before coming back.“]
Chapter 6
The housekeeper said that after I went abroad, Kieran started growing flowers.
Blue plumbago blooms for a long time–still flowering in November.
Kieran took photos and posted them on Instagram. The housekeeper liked them.[]
But I didn’t.
I had him on message–only mode.[]
So he wasn’t actually allergic.]
I texted: [Give them back to him. I don’t like them anymore.]]]
