Kevin and I were hiding behind a big tree watching them.

"See? This is the one for Julian. What are you to that?"

"She's a real racer, can you do it?"

I stared at him, then cracked a smile.

"I can."

I had always played dumb to please Julian's friends.

But that was no longer necessary.

I gave everything to this relationship.

So I could leave with no regrets now.

I was sure, I wouldn't be the one with any regrets.

Kevin didn't believe it and dragged me to the racetrack.

He waited in the passenger seat to see me make a fool of myself.

"Pick me girl, you're just trying to be cool, right? Let's see how you'll end up! Need me to teach you how to start?"

I asked him, "You must be very skilled then?"

He was slightly stunned, then couldn't be more pleased with himself.

"Well, do you know Brianna White? She's an F1 racing champion! I almost..."

I was briefly stunned to hear my alias.

"Almost surpassed her?"

He looked at me like I was an imbecile.

"Are you kidding me? Do you know how huge this race is? Seriously, why would Julian be with you? I almost got her autograph!"

I didn't know what to say.

I hadn't raced for two years, so I was a little clumsy at first.

Kevin's words came lazily from the passenger seat.

"Oh, not too bad! You must have learned it especially for Julian."

As I went on, Kevin gradually shut up.

I had been staying away from racing for the past few years.

Because every time I raced, it reminded me of Marvin.

My first love.

The teacher I most respected became a lover, then in the end, an utter stranger.

After getting distracted for a while, I suddenly realized the scenery in front of me was becoming increasingly unfamiliar.

I had taken the wrong road.

Kevin curled his lips, somewhat gloating.

"Tsk, you had your chance, but you made a mistake!"

I gripped the steering wheel.

Seven minutes had passed.

It was probably too late to turn back now.

But if one doesn't turn around when going in the wrong direction, and the more one goes, the more mistakes one makes.

I made a prompt decision and turned around to head back.

Kevin sneered, "Oh, you're trying so hard? Tell you what, you can't possibly make it in time. I'm familiar with this route, and it still takes me 25 minutes!"

"Speak for yourself."

I curled my lips into a cold smile and stepped on the gas.

The car flew like an arrow.

Kevin grabbed the seat belt tightly and suddenly fell silent.

Along the way, long gone memories were wakened.

Over the corner with skillful drifting, the car accelerated.

The blue racing car sped across the field.

The speed was getting faster and faster, as my smile grew bigger and bigger.

Kevin's expression changed from contempt to respect, and even a hint of... worship?

And then it was over.

We arrived at the finish line three minutes and sixteen seconds ahead of schedule.

When I got off the car, every cell in my body was screaming with excitement.

My hands were shaking terribly.

Glancing sideways, I saw Kevin bending over beside a tree emptying his stomach.

I pursed my lips in disgust.

Seeing that I was about to leave, Kevin hurriedly chased after me.

"Wait, Bianca wait! Your skills are great, you must know Brianna White right? Please, help me get her autograph!"

"Brianna White? Maybe you should ask Julian, he knows her well. Oh and, I'm done with Julian, and so too with you guys."

Ignoring his surprise, I turned around and walked back.

Kevin shouted at my back, "When?!"

I waved my hand and replied, "Five minutes from now."

When Julian knew that Kevin and I were going to the racetrack, he became unusually nervous.

His words came pouring out of the speaker.

"Babe, is Kevin giving you trouble again? Really, I gotta talk to that guy. How can he drag you to such a dangerous..."

"Julian Adler."

Hearing me call him by his full name, Julian stopped talking.

It was quiet over there, and I spoke softly.

"You know Kevin likes Brianna White, don't you?"

The breathing on the other side grew harder.

We both knew that Kevin was never supportive of our relationship.

He even led the others in the circle to isolate me.

Julian knew it, but he always asked me to be patient.

Had Julian told Kevin at any point in the past two years that I was his idol, Kevin would not have treated me like that.

Why didn't he then?

Because I couldn't get over Yvon.

He couldn't mention her himself, so he would let his friends do it for him.

He was isolating me, to save Yvon her place.

Oh well.

Julian was eager to explain, but I didn't give him the chance.

"Why did Kevin call me a pick-me girl when we first met? Said I was a gold digger? Have I ever spent a dime of your money? Were you paving the way for your reconciliation, right from the beginning?"

Julian didn't take that well.

"What was all that about? What ex, what reconciliation? Bianca, is that how you see me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a woman's excited voice followed.

"Julian, come quick, look at the fireworks!"

Julian was flustered for a bit, then lowered his voice into the microphone.

"Don't let your imagination run wild. I have something urgent to deal with. We'll talk tomorrow!"

The call was hung up, but I hadn't finished talking.

I opened the texting app and sent three words.

[Let's break up.]

I returned to my home.

My parents were traveling, so the huge house was empty.

In the middle of the night, I was woken up by the persistent ringing of my cell phone.

I saw eight missed calls on the screen, all from Julian.

And then there was the torrent of texts.

[Baby, where are you? I can explain!]

[Why did you pack everything?]

[Trust me baby, I love you.]

[Baby, can you please answer the phone? Please, give me a chance to explain.]

[I haven't been in touch with my ex. And I'll talk to Kevin.]

[Don't we have so much to do together? Baby, you can't leave me now.]

[...]

I turned off my phone.

I didn't want to waste my time listening to lies I already knew.

Early the next morning, Julian, who was leaning against my door, almost fell down when I opened it.

His clothes were all wrinkled and his face looked visibly tired.

Probably was here all night.

Seeing me, he straightened himself.

"Baby, you're up. Are you hungry? I'll get some breakfast."

"I talked to Kevin. He'll behave from now."

"And that necklace you like, I sent someone to look for it abroad. It should be here next week."

I ignored him and kept walking.

Turned out he did know what I wanted.

Why then did it take a breakup for him to take action?

He pulled me in, rubbing his brows tiredly.

"Don't you want to say anything? I told you, it's all a misunderstanding, so stop being mad for nothing, okay?"

As he spoke, his voice started to sound like he was about to cry.

"I really don't want to break up..."

I walked silently, while he followed closely behind.

After walking a few dozen meters, I stopped to ask him a question, half-smiling.

"I'm going to meet a friend, do you want to come?"

He paused for a moment, then nodded nervously.

He was afraid I would disappear again.

I said nothing and let him follow.

Because I needed him for what came next.