Freya and Laura were best friends.

And my relationship with Ethan added more intimacy to their friendship for decades.

The call was connected.

Freya asked me in a gentle voice, "Sophia, did you also have a little fight with Ethan?"

I said yes and decided not to tell what happened in school after thinking twice.

Sighing, she sounded somehow helpless. "Sophia, you know how forthright Ethan is. You two still need to adjust to each other even after you have been together for so many years."

I opened my mouth but swallowed the words that were about to come out of my mouth.

Finally, I could only say, "I understand."

Freya continued to persuade me, "I'll let that kid apologize to you. If he does anything wrong in the future, tell me and I'll punish him."

I nodded, knowing that she couldn't see it over there, and replied, "Okay."

But the conflict between us was almost impossible to be resolved through mediation.

After hanging up the phone, Ethan, whom I hadn't seen for three days, called me. Judging from his tender tone, it seemed that Freya should be nearby.

"There's a movie you like tomorrow night. Let's go watch it together," he said.

Every time I wanted to watch a movie with him, he would refuse with the excuse that movies were only for pretentious and boring people.

I was afraid that he wouldn't even make this call if it wasn't her mother's command.

It was hilarious that I was even not comparable to his mother's command.

The breakthrough of the first compromise made it easier for him to say the rest. "It was my fault. I wouldn't do that again."

It was Self-deceiving under the cover of an apology.

Ethan's outstanding look attracted the peer girls since he was a kid.

I was one of the few people who could walk side by side with him. Over time, other people mistook us for a couple. He didn't explain and even enjoyed the rumors.

But gradually, I became anxious and worried, fearing that he would be stolen by other girls.

I asked him, "What kind of girls do you like?"

At that time, his handsome face still looked a little childish, and he answered in a sweet voice.

"I like smart girls. She'd better be a scientist. I admire scientists most," he said.

Maybe he wouldn't believe that I took his casual words seriously and swore to become the type of girl he liked.

Until now, I was still working on it.

Meanwhile, I recalled what Taylor said to me.

"Sophia, my appointment here is about to end. I have accepted a re-appointment from a high-level laboratory at Crestwood University. The school also has approved two exchange students there. Do you want to go with me?" he asked.

"Can I?" I was a little surprised. The laboratories at Crestwood University enjoyed a worldwide reputation.

It must be splendid to study there.

I said, "Yeah, I just need to talk to my mother about it."

Taylor didn't push me for the answer, and I was so happy that I wanted to share the news with Ethan as soon as possible.

I didn't know how thrilled he would be.

Just when I thought about whether to call him or meet him in person, I saw my best friend, Lily Higgins, gestured to let me go out.

Usually when she had this expression, I knew Ethan was coming.

I was still a little excited.

A young man was standing with his back to me in the cold wind in a white turtleneck sweater and a gray coat. From his back, he looked so elegant and intelligent.

Girls passing by all fixed their eyes at him.

He looked at the phone, talking to someone I had no idea of his or her identity.

I said, "Ethan."

Hearing my voice, the young man turned around, and his handsome features were ruined by his frown.

"Sophia, can you quit researching in the laboratory?" he said.

I suddenly lost all my desire to share my thoughts with him.

After being stunned for a second, I forced a smile and said softly, "I thought you liked girls working in labs..."

He reached out to pull me but failed because I dodged that. Then, he agitatedly rubbed his temple.

"Do you understand? I admire independent and capable women." he said.

I found it funny that he actually thought I was too foolish to discern admiration and covet.

He thought I was having a bad temper and softened his voice.

He said, "If you leave the lab, I'll marry you as soon as we graduate, and you can be a full-time housewife then."

My heart sank as a housewife was a full-time caregiver without wages.

"It's impossible." I shook my head.

In his eyes, I was probably the most unreasonable, irrational, and hopeless woman in the world. "Why on earth are you so obsessed with this lab? I'll give you some days to figure it out yourself."

"Wait..." I said.

My refute seemed so feeble. I watched him turn around and walk away without looking back. It was like the first time I faced his back. He didn't understand me, just like I didn't understand him.

I really couldn't understand what he was thinking.

Lily came out of the corner. Looking in the direction where Ethan left, she patted my shoulder and said, "Do you need a hug?"

"Yeah, I guess so." I smiled, but everything in front of me was blurry.

As his movie of apology went up in smoke, I continued to organize my thesis.

Suddenly, Lily said, "Hey, check this out. Some bitch is stealing your man."

Before I could react, she passed me her phone with a photo of Ethan and Amanda York, my archenemy, walking side by side and having a great conversation.

In fact, my feud with her started with our parents.

It was a tawdry drama.

Amanda's mother was fond of Harold, but he only loved Laura.

Unfortunately, the boys that Amanda liked loved me; that was why our grudge became deeper and deeper.

Unless there was an unexpected disaster and I saved her in that crisis, there was no way to ease her hatred towards me.

I wouldn't have to regard her as my archenemy if she didn't plot against Lily and almost got her killed to vent her anger to me.

That was how both of us hated each other so much.

"Is it really necessary for him to disgust me like that?" I said.

Patting my head, Lily comforted me as she had experienced such an occasion so many times.

"Men are always scheming. You'd better check it yourself," she said.

I didn't expect to see him having coffee with Amanda after that unpleasant conversation.

Although they looked like normal friends having a small talk, it still hurt me.

Noticing me, he mocked me with his eyes viciously and found a way to retrieve his self-esteem as I approached. "Are you done with the lab, Ms. Clark? I'm afraid I don't have time for you."

Amanda looked at me with contempt and an innocent smile. She looked me up and down and said, "Sophia, as your schoolmate, I still suggest if you ever plan to get married in the future, you have to be less selfish for your family."

I picked my ears and felt a little sick watching her putting on such a show. "And as your schoolmate, I think you're more like a mistress who ruins others' families rather than a good wife."

I was not into female competition for men like her and hated moral kidnapping even more.

From beginning to end, I didn't have the idea of talking to Ethan because there was no need to do so.

"Sophia!"

Ethan yelled at me again. He seemed to always target me for some unreasonable issues, as if I was born to be under his control.

Our five-year relationship didn't vanish in a moment.

I sighed and looked him in the eyes. "Ethan, am I your girlfriend? Let me ask it another way. Do you even consider me as your friend?"