So, let me make it up to you. Okay, Gus?”
I had been the last person to introduce myself,
so everyone remembered my name.
They all looked at me, envious.
They thought she was this amazing, beautiful
girl, who had given up NYU and come here to
chase after me.
Joy was telling the truth, but they all thought it
was just a romantic story.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I stood up and left.
Before I left, I said, “Are you crazy?”
I glared at Joy.
To avoid her, I didn’t even go back to my place.
I moved into the dorm.
But soon, I was all over the school news.
There were two stories.
The first story was that Joy had been named
the most beautiful girl in the freshman class.
With her looks, she deserved it.
The second story was that a regular student
had turned down the most beautiful girl in the
freshman class.
That regular student was me.
There was also a video of me calling Joy crazy.
<
7:22
I became the talk of the school.
Nobody knew why I had turned down such a pretty girl.
69
She was so romantic. She had said all the right things.
They thought I was eunuch. Why else would I say no?
I sighed whenever I heard people talking about
- it.
There was no way to explain.
The trip to UCLA was supposed to be
refreshing.
But Joy ruined it.
I thought she was just sticking with me out of
guilt.
7:22
But then her ex–boyfriend, Sean, showed up.
I realized I was wrong.
I was about to go home when I saw Sean and
Joy laughing together. Sean reached out and
tucked a strand of her hair.
69
They acted like they’d been together for years.
Joy saw me and looked flustered.
I sneered, “It’s only been a month since school
started. You found him this fast? You’re so
fake, Joy.”
She confessed to me in front of the whole
class, and then contacted Sean.
Joy grabbed my hand, “Gus, listen to me…”
8
<
7:22
“Enough!”
I pushed her away. She almost fell.
Sean caught her.
69
He looked at me, smiling, and held out his hand.
“You must be Gus, Joy has mentioned you to
me! Nice to meet you!”
I looked at my rival, not wanting to shake his
hand.
“No need to meet. Or know.”
I pushed past them and walked across the
street.
“Gus, can you just hear me out?”
Joy yelled.
:
7:22
I was on the other side of the street.
I saw a black car speeding towards me.
It wasn’t slowing down.
I couldn’t get out of the way in time.
My heart raced.
Then, I felt a push from behind.
69
Someone pushed me into the flower bed.
The black car sped past. My leg was bleeding.
But I couldn’t focus on the pain. I turned to look at Joy.
I froze. My body shook.
Joy was lying in a pool of blood. Her white
dress was red.
7:22
I rushed over, wanting to help, but not sure
how.
I didn’t know if I would make things worse if I
moved her.
