hapter 6
I was on the guy’s broad back, staring at the sweat sliding down his profile, my ears burning
This was the second time I’d needed his help.
The first was during my allergic reaction–he’d carried me to the hospital as fast as possible.
The nurses said he’d stayed with me until I was out of danger.
But when I woke up, only a hired caregiver was there.
I wanted to thank him properly and asked for his contact info.
But the caregiver said, “I don’t have it either. That young man had an emergency and left in a hurry, paid me to watch you, then took off.”
Breathing in his familiar winter pine scent, I knew he was the same person from last time.
I worked up the courage. “Um, can I follow you on Insta? I never properly thanked you for last time.”
The guy chuckled, the vibration running through his back. “Sure, but how exactly do you wanna thank me?”
I’d lost too much blood and had heat stroke–my brain was fuzzy.
I heard myself say, “Whatever you want. I’ll do anything I can.”
Before losing consciousness, I heard him say, “You said it, little crybaby-”
“Little crybaby, stop crying. They’re all gone.”
I seemed to dream of my kindergarten self, a chubby little boy standing beside me saying:
“I’ve got candy. Little crybaby, can you stop crying?”
Tiny me immediately stopped crying, staring at the candy in the chubby boy’s hand with wide, watery eyes.
“All… all for me?”
“Yeah, thanks for helping me scare away the mean kids.” The chubby boy smiled so hard his eyes crinkled, little dimples showing.
I ate a piece of candy, smiling until my eyes crinkled too.
The chubby boy’s pudgy hand wiped the tears from my eyes. “Little crybaby, don’t cry anymore. You’re prettier when you smile~” “But we can’t fight back! If I don’t cry, how else can I scare them away?” I said, sucking on the candy.
From early on, I knew crying babies got milk and more attention from teachers.
So whenever I got picked on, I’d wail at the top of my lungs. The other kids would run away or get scolded by teachers.
But it also meant I had no friends except for one chubby boy who’d play with me.
The chubby boy held my little hand super seriously. “I’ll protect you! I’ll learn martial arts to protect you, okay?”
I nodded casually, but the chubby boy beamed.
“Little crybaby, you gotta wait for me~”
But later, the chubby boy who promised to protect me disappeared.
“Little crybaby-”
I slowly opened my eyes to see a handsome, stern face with deep, worried eyes.
4.6%
Chapter 6
“Chubby?
The guy relaxed and smiled, familiar dimples appearing. “You finally remembered.”
“But let me reintroduce myself–I’m Ethan Sterling, Jefferson University business major, sophomore in the honors program. Your direct upper classman.
Iven after all these years apart, being with him felt like hanging out with an old friend.
