Chapter 5
In college, we got into the same university but different majors.
He was studying computer science, I was in journalism.
Even though we were in different schools, we still saw each other every day.
I thought it would be this amazing new chapter–four years of college, then jobs, marriage, kids, growing old together.
I’d already picked out names for our future children.
I had no idea I was walking into a nightmare.
Second year, first semester, Seraphina transferred to our school.
Apparently her family’s business relocated from down south, so she had to switch schools.
She was the kind of beautiful that stops you in your tracks–perfect features, amazing body, always looking like she stepped out of a magazine.
I first saw her at the student council welcome party.
She was up on stage in this red dress, dancing like some kind of graceful swan.
Every guy in the audience was practically drooling, including Alistair.
He stared at her for a full three minutes.
Three whole minutes. A hundred and eighty seconds. I counted every single one.
I tugged on his hand. “Pretty, huh?”
He snapped out of it and ruffled my hair. “I guess. Not as pretty as you though.”
I knew he was lying.
Seraphina was way more beautiful than I could ever be.
She had these huge, expressive eyes with long lashes that fluttered like fans, totally mesmerizing.
Her skin was so pale it practically glowed under the stage lights, like she was made of porcelain.
When she smiled, she had these deep dimples that were just adorable and captivating.
And me?
Plain face, not pale enough, not curvy enough. My only good quality was maybe being kind of sweet–natured.
But being sweet doesn’t mean much when you’re standing next to someone drop–dead gorgeous.
I never thought she’d set her sights on Alistair.
It started with little things.
She’d “accidentally” show up wherever Alistair usually hung out.
The library, dining hall, basketball courts, even at our academic building.
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My Childhood Ex Ruined My Face for His Crush? Cute. I Ruined Their Lives
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Chapter 5
She’d “accidentally” trip right in front of him.
Her acting was Oscar–worthy, I’ll give her that.
“Oh no!”
This sweet little cry, then she’d stumble forward and land right at Alistair’s feet.
Alistair had always been a white knight type–couldn’t stand seeing girls in trouble.
Every time Seraphina needed help, he’d jump right in.
“Are you okay?”
“Thanks so much… I think I’m fine… ow, I think I twisted my ankle…”
Then it was this whole production of helping her to the health center, getting her medicine, walking her back to her dorm.
I tried warning him. “She’s doing it on purpose.”
“You’re being paranoid,” he said, frowning. “Who would deliberately hurt themselves? That would be crazy.”
“She’s faking it.”
“Aurelia,” he sighed, “when did you get so suspicious of everyone?”
“Seraphina just transferred here. She doesn’t know anyone. We should help her out.”
Seraphina.
He started calling her by her first name.
When did they get so close?
Gradually, Seraphina became a regular third wheel.
When we’d go eat, she’d “happen” to run into us.
“Hey guys, what a coincidence!”
Then she’d give us this pitiful look and ask if she could join.
“Eating alone is so depressing…”
When we’d plan to see a movie, she’d text Alistair about feeling down.
“I got yelled at by my professor today, I’m so upset…”
Then Alistair would suggest, “Maybe we should invite Seraphina along. She seems really lonely.”
Lonely?
What was lonely about her?
The girl had guys lined up from the academic building to the dorms trying to ask her out.
I kept my mouth shut until I finally exploded the nth time she crashed our date.
It was a weekend night, and Alistair and I had planned to see this new movie.
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My Childhood Ex Ruined My Face for His Crush? Cute. I Ruined Their Lives
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Chapter 5
I’d been looking forward to it forever–it was by my favorite director.
Just as we were about to go in, Seraphina called.
“Alistair, I have a fever, I feel awful… there’s nobody in my dorm…”
Her voice sounded so weak, like she was about to pass out.
Alistair glanced at me. “Maybe we should…”
“Should what?” I laughed bitterly. “Rush over to take care of her?”
“Aurelia, come on, she’s sick.”
“She gets sick every single time we have plans. Does she have some kind of psychic power?”
“How can you say that?” Alistair frowned. “Seraphina’s always been delicate. It’s normal for her to get sick a lot.”
“Fine, then go.” I turned and started walking away.
He grabbed my arm. “Don’t be like this. Let’s watch the movie first, then I’ll check on her.”
“Don’t bother. Just go now.”
I yanked my arm free and left without looking back.
I could hear him sighing behind me.
In the end, he went to her.
And I sat through the entire movie by myself.
An empty theater, cold and quiet.
No matter how good the movie was, I couldn’t focus.
All I could think about was watching Alistair walk away.
We didn’t speak for three days after that.
On the fourth day, he came to make up.
He brought my favorite bubble tea and cupcakes.
“I’m sorry. I was wrong the other night.”
“I promise from now on, I won’t let anyone interrupt our dates.”
Looking at his sincere expression, I felt my resolve crumble.
After all, this was the guy I’d grown up with. The guy I’d loved for years.
I had no idea this was just the beginning.
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