"Because you said you'd always stay by my side."
"???"
"But I have other friends who will always stay by my side too." I didn't quite get it.
He sighed.
"Jocelyn, that's different…" I suddenly felt inexplicably sad, and the coffee no longer tasted good.
"Why is it different?"
"…"
"Kasey, you're so excellent now, everyone likes you, but we're growing further apart. Of course, I'll have new friends..."
It felt like, at some point, his world no longer needed me. Kasey stayed silent, his eyes darkened, and in the place where I couldn't see, his hands were clenched tightly.
"You told me to stay away from Pablo."
I paused for a couple of seconds, struggling to hold back my tears.
"But Kasey, my world doesn't only revolve around you." I didn't want to listen to Kasey's words.
He was someone I liked, but he wasn't mine. Who I spent time with and who I was friends with, that was none of his business.
Moreover, Pablo was a really nice person, and we got along really well.
"So?"
"Huh?"
I was stunned. Kasey now seemed to have a bad mood. I could only try to calm him down.
"Kasey, Pablo is really a good person. You're a good person too. Maybe you two could be..."
Before I could say the word "friends," Kasey suddenly sneered.
"Heh, a good person?"
Before I could react, Kasey suddenly jumped off the swing, turned around to look at me for a moment, then grabbed the swing's base and pulled it towards his direction.
The series of actions were done in one smooth motion, but his gaze never left me.
As the swing swung toward him, I got closer and closer, until a shadow covered me. His lips pressed down on mine.
My eyes widened in shock, and the coffee slipped from my hand. I couldn't tell whose heartbeat was pounding in my ears, but mine felt like it was hammering in my chest.
This kiss was brief, but just as he was about to pull away, Kasey bit my lower lip harder. He was standing with his back to the light, so I couldn't see his expression, but I could feel he was angry.
"Now, do you still think I'm the good guy?"
Kasey took a step back, standing right in front of me. His tone was full of disdain. I just stood there, frozen, not processing the situation. By the time I snapped out of it, he had already turned and walked away. What did that mean? Did he like me? Why else would he kiss me? "Jocelyn," Kasey called without looking back, "remember this—I'm no good guy." And with that, he left. Left... leaving behind a mess for me to clean up all by myself!!! This man is impossible to deal with! I wanted to scream.
---
Our relationship seemed to have stalled that night. Even though we were neighbors, it felt like we could never cross paths again.
He was avoiding me.
I had a feeling there was a misunderstanding, so when the sports meet came, I took the initiative to find him.
Kasey Hargrove and Sebastian Verner were both competing in the 1500m race. As one of the volunteers for our class, I was responsible for giving Sebastian water. But, out of personal interest, I also grabbed a bottle for Kasey.
Sebastian was an athlete, naturally outpacing everyone else. I cheered him on with the other girls in the stands. The 1500m was nothing new to him.
When Pablo saw me cheering, he flashed a bright smile and blew me a kiss. His movements were exaggerated, carefree.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
It seemed that Kasey had noticed this scene. As he ran past, he suddenly picked up the pace, and since Kasey was somewhat famous in school, many people cheered him on.
Just before he was about to pass out of sight, I shouted loudly, "Go Kasey!"
My voice was swallowed by the crowd, a silent wish unspoken. The race ended, and Sebastian finished first. There was still a small lap to go for the second place, so I hurriedly brought him some water.
"It's got glucose in it."
Sebastian almost collapsed, leaning on my shoulder.
"Ah, Jocelyn, I can't go on. Help me a bit."
Always the playful one.
I immediately pushed him away.
"Quit pretending. Drink up."
Sebastian laughed heartily and took the water.
"Yo, who's the other bottle for?"
"None of your business."
I didn't want to entertain him, instead searching for Kasey's figure.
Our eyes met.
Perhaps because of his intense exertion, Kasey was panting, his eyes red. There were a lot of people around him, but his gaze remained fixed on me. I had no idea how long he had been watching, or how many misunderstandings had piled up.
