The next morning, I got up early on purpose so I could miss Nevaeh, who usually came to walk to school with me.

By the time she walked into the classroom, I had already previewed the lessons for that day.

Edward was right beside her. In his hand was my favorite blueberry muffin.

Nevaeh met my eyes. She quickly looked a little embarrassed and tried to explain.

"I heard from your driver that you came early today. I was going to bring this for you, but Edward was hungry."

I lowered my head again, flipping through my book like nothing mattered.

"It's fine."

She walked over quietly. "Don't be mad about this. Do you want me to go buy you another one?"

She still thought I was the same short-tempered guy I used to be.

However, I had already lived through this once.

I just shook my head. "I'm not mad."

It was only a blueberry muffin. I could buy as many as I wanted for myself.

With that thought, I pulled out the muffin I had left untouched in my drawer and started eating it right in front of her.

Edward, who had been standing behind her looking a little smug, froze for a second.

Nevaeh let out a small breath of relief when she saw. "I guess I won't need to bring you blueberry muffins anymore."

As she said that, she took out a notebook from her bag.

"Your math scores haven't been great lately. I stayed up late to organize these notes for you. Take a look!"

Maybe due to her guilt, the notes were even more detailed than before. They were clear enough that even an idiot could understand them.

I took the notebook, then handed it straight to Edward with a gentle smile.

"I think you need this more than me."

Edward's face darkened instantly. "Chester, are you trying to make me mad?"

"I know I'm not as strong in math as you are, but Nevaeh's always made notes for you. Now you give her notes to me right in front of her, actually because you're blaming me for the connection between us, don't you?"

As he kept talking, his whole body started trembling, as if he had just been deeply humiliated.

I had not expected his reaction to be that dramatic.

Nevaeh stepped forward and pulled him into her arms, gently comforting him. Then, she looked at me. "I know you're upset, but don't make things hard for Edward. He has his pride."

I almost laughed.

How had I never noticed before that Nevaeh could be so blind?

Edward tugged on her sleeve and shook his head. "Don't argue with Chester because of me. This really is my fault. Maybe I'm just too insecure, so I misunderstood him.

"I'm sorry."

Before Nevaeh could even respond, I spoke first. "No, I'm the one who should apologize. I didn't realize I hurt your feelings."

Nevaeh froze.

Even Edward opened his mouth then closed it again, clearly not expecting that from me.

I looked at Nevaeh and placed the notebook back into her hands.

"From now on, you don't need to come find me anymore. I don't want Edward to feel uncomfortable."

With that, I turned and went back to my seat, burying myself in my studies again.

Only Nevaeh remained standing there, unable to snap out of her shock for a long time.

Maybe what I said had had some effect, as Nevaeh stopped looking for me.

It lasted for a few days before she started again, stubborn as ever. She would press her notes into my hands, and sometimes she would stay behind, insisting on helping me work through problems.

"Aren't you coming to Brookshire University with me to study finance? Your math still needs work."

For once, I did not argue.

In her world, I was still the same guy who would follow her without hesitation, no matter what she chose.

Maybe in this new life, we could at least be friends, even if we could not be together.

However, every time I looked up from studying, tired and unfocused, I would catch Edward staring at me with quiet resentment.

Then, one month before final exams, everything snapped.

I had just walked out of the school gates and was about to head to the bookstore across the street to pick up some reference books. I saw Nevaeh rushing toward me.

She was dragging Edward along with her. His face was pale, and there was blood on his clothes.

Before I could even react, she stopped right in front of me.

"Chester!" Her voice was tight, her anger barely held in. "You hate him so much that you hired people to beat him up outside of school?"

I froze.

I looked at Edward. Half his face was swollen, and the way he looked at me was full of fear and anger.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I frowned, a sense of disbelief rising in my chest.

"No idea?" Nevaeh let out an icy laugh that quickly caught the attention of the students nearby, who began turning to look.

"When those thugs were kicking him, they said Mr. Smith told them to teach Edward a lesson. Who else would use such disgusting methods besides you?

"So this is the real you! All that patience was just an act."

I looked at Edward. He was trembling.

"Chester, if you've got the guts, fight me fair and square instead of pulling dirty tricks like this.

"We're both guys. You should be ashamed of yourself for chickening out.” As he spoke, his body shook even more.

"I didn't do it." I looked straight at Nevaeh, my voice calm. "I wouldn't stoop that low."

"Where's your proof? Who's going to believe you?"

She would not listen. Edward's condition and his words had completely clouded her judgment.

She paused for a moment, like she was making a final decision. Then, her voice turned icy, each word clear and sharp. "Edward. Hit him back, just like how he hit you."

The words exploded in my ears. I stared at Nevaeh in disbelief.

She was telling Edward to hit me.

All my life, even my parents had never laid a hand on me.

Edward looked startled, too. He shook his head.

"Nevaeh…"

"Do it!" She shoved him lightly toward me, then grabbed hold of me, her hands locking me in place. "He owes you. I'm right here. No one's going to touch you ever again!"

More and more students gathered around us, their whispers buzzing like a swarm of mosquitoes.

Under all those eyes, Edward looked even more helpless and fragile. He raised his hand slowly, his fingers trembling.

It was as if he finally made up his mind.

He shut his eyes and swung.

Smack!

The sound was sharp and loud.

Pain burned across my face. The force was strong enough to make my ears ring. I tried to struggle, but Nevaeh's grip tightened, her nails digging into me in warning. She was born with immense strength. However, she hesitated when she saw the blood trickling from my nose.

She probably had not expected Edward to hit that hard. Something flickered in her eyes.

When she saw Edward standing there, shaking after the slap, she immediately let go of me and gave him a hug.

"It's okay now."

Then, she looked back at me. "I'm still willing to tutor you if you apologize properly now. We can still go to Brookshire University together.

"You’ve always wanted us to move out, right? We could even buy a place near campus…"

I looked at her.

Suddenly, I laughed.

"Brookshire University? You can go with Edward.

"I won't be joining you two."

’You want me to be your nanny again, just like in my last life? Keep dreaming!’ I thought.

Before I could stop myself, I stepped forward and slapped Edward hard across the face, right in front of Nevaeh. Then I looked at both of them, my gaze icy.

"Remember, this is my doing."

I had put all my strength into that slap. Edward's cheek swelled up instantly, and the pain made his whole body tremble.

"Chester!" Nevaeh's voice shook with disbelief and anger. "How dare you! So you're not even pretending to tolerate him anymore in front of me?"

I took a slow breath, my tone steady. "Why should I pretend? I'm just being clear and straightforward, hitting someone who deserves it in front of you. If I'm going to be accused anyway, I might as well make it true."

I bent down, picked up my backpack, brushed the dust off it, and slung it over my shoulder.

"Nevaeh, take your Edward and stay away from me."

I met her eyes and said each word slowly, "You make me sick."

Then, I turned and walked away.

Behind me, Nevaeh completely lost her temper.

"If you've got the guts, don't ever contact me again! When we get to Brookshire University, don't expect me to help you!"

‘Who cares?’ I thought.

I did not respond.

The crowd around us silently parted to make way. Their weird looks followed me, but I did not pay them any attention.

From that day on, the relationship between Nevaeh and me became strange.

Even though we were still in the same classroom, I treated her like she did not exist.

She tried to talk to me a few times, but I ignored her every time. Once, she handed me a blueberry muffin as a peace offering. I threw it straight into the trash in front of everyone.

The confusion and anger in her eyes grew deeper and deeper. Eventually, she started ignoring me, too.

However, none of that mattered to me anymore.

Final exams finally came to an end.

After handing in my last paper, I walked out of the exam hall into the warm, radiant sunlight, pausing to take a deep breath.

My parents were waiting outside, both of them wearing relaxed, proud smiles.

"How did it go?" my mom asked, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"Pretty well," I said with a smile.

All I was really thinking about was my study abroad application.

I had already received my acceptance from a university in Hollandia before finals. As soon as my results were submitted, I would receive my official offer and head there to start my studies.

"That's great. Let's go home. I made a ton of your favorite food!" my mom said happily.

When we got back, I started packing.

It was time to leave.