One week before the SAT, my classmates and I gathered to discuss our university choices.
They asked which university I was aiming for.
Before I could answer, someone spoke up.
"Abby has such good grades; she's definitely going to University A! That's the best one."
The crowd erupted with excitement.
Then they naturally brought up Cyrus.
"Cyrus also has great grades, so he'll probably go to University A too!"
"Then Abby and Cyrus can pick up where they left off!"
There was another round of teasing from the crowd.
I knew they were joking.
But I couldn't help but smile slightly.
But then, expressionless Cyrus appeared.
"Pick up where we left off? With her?"
A mocking laugh echoed, filled with disdain and disgust.
"Are you all not bored?"
Everyone awkwardly changed their expressions.
And then they dispersed.
I stood there alone, watching Cyrus take his seat again.
Watching him frown irritably.
That's when I realized I was wrong.
Cyrus,
still hated me as much as ever.
I thought it was just an episode.
But I never expected that the day before the exams,
Cyrus threatened me.
He stepped on my chair and leaned in close.
"Abby, I'm warning you, don't apply to the same university as me."
Cyrus was fierce.
His expression made it seem like if I went to the same university as him, he'd kill me.
I was a little scared.
I swallowed hard.
I nodded.
Cyrus was still the top student in the school.
I dropped.
I thought it must have been because Cyrus scared me right before the exams.
Cyrus didn't seem happy looking at the final result.
But he should have been happy.
Now, even if I wanted to, I couldn't go to the same school as him.
Although seeing my results still made me a bit sad,
it wasn't a big deal.
I could still go to my second choice school.
It was a local school.
The flowers were always the most beautiful there.
Cyrus chose the best university in town.
He could have gone to a better one, but he didn't.
Many people didn't expect it.
Including me.
I talked to Mom about this.
Mom sighed and said it might be because staying local would allow him to better care for his mother.
It dawned on me.
Since Cyrus's father passed away, his mother hadn't been well.
Mom often had me bring supplements for Cyrus's mother and leave them at the door without being noticed.
But one time, I was caught anyway.
My first reaction when I saw Cyrus's mother wasn't that I was in trouble.
Rather, it was how beautiful Cyrus's mother was; no wonder Cyrus was so good-looking.
I thought she would scold me.
But instead, she welcomed me into the house, gave me candy, and smiled at me.
She said it must have been tiring for me to come so far.
She said Cyrus had a bad temper and it must be tough to get along with him.
She thanked me.
She also said Cyrus was lonely and asked me to spend more time with him.
I patted my chest and promised her then.
I told her that I've always thought Cyrus was handsome since I was a kid and always wanted to be friends with him, so I would definitely treat him well!
She laughed and reached out to tousle my hair.
Oh, Cyrus's mother was so gentle.
I was captivated by this beautiful auntie.
But why did Cyrus have such a bad temper?
Such a headache.
Forgot to mention,
My final university, which is the same as the best local university that Cyrus went to.
After all, my first choice university was the one Cyrus went to.
Who would have thought that my first choice and second choice
would overlap!
Maybe it's fate.
Looks like Cyrus is destined to never get rid of me.
I just wonder if he'll be willing to listen to my explanation when I run into him at school.
Very much not.
Explanation.
The weather was hot on registration day.
I felt like I was about to get heatstroke pulling my suitcase around.
Wait, why is there a mountain up ahead?
How ridiculous.
Oh, I see now.
It's a sea of people.
All girls, forming a circle, doing who knows what.
In the middle of them...
In the blazing sun, what was Cyrus doing standing there like a focal point?
I pursed my lips, silently mocking his arrogance.
Then he caught me.
"Abby."
Cyrus's voice was loud enough to reach me from that distance.
Everyone's eyes turned towards me with a "clark-".
...
I was mortified.
But I could only drag my suitcase over to him sheepishly.
"Cyrus, let me explain this coincidence about us ending up at the same university..."
As I spoke, I looked up at him.
Wait a minute...
Why does he look so indifferent!?
Shouldn't he be furious!?
He looked down at me with lowered eyebrows, "Take the suitcase."
I immediately gave him a businesslike smile, "So, Mister, after I carry your suitcase, does that mean we're good friends in university?"
He thought about it, then said, "Maybe."
Help me, did Cyrus go on church retreat during the summer? He's so friendly now.
But sadly, the kindness didn't last long.
In the next moment, he seemed to suddenly realize something, and his face contorted as if he had eaten a fly, and he started walking forward.
...
I felt sad.
The weather was very hot on registration day
I was almost getting heatstroke pulling two suitcases around.
But why was Cyrus's suitcase so light.
