My Childhood Friend Loves Mocking Me Chapter 05

My Childhood Friend Loves Mocking Me Chapter 05

Dad’s car slowly drove away from the street I had traveled along for eight years.

Jake’s figure shrank smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror.

He took off his helmet, ran a few steps toward the car, then froze abruptly as if rooted to the spot.

I never turned back, shifting my gaze from the mirror to Mom’s warm hand holding mine tight.

Mom’s voice was a little shaky, her eyes rimmed red, but she kept smiling at me. “You’ve lost weight, but you’ve grown so tall. Even prettier than on our video calls.”

I leaned against her shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of her laundry detergent, and finally

let my tears fall freely.

Aunt Clara had treated me kindly all those years staying with the Hale family,

yet nothing compared to a mother’s embrace.

No matter how much time passed or how far apart we were, this hug alone was enough to calm every restless thought in my heart.

Dad sat in the driver’s seat, glancing back at me through the mirror now and then.

He hesitated for a long time before speaking softly,

“It’s good to be home.”

Home.

Those two words made me break down even harder.

Where truly was my home?

When I was little, I wandered around with my parents, even spending nights living in outdoor tents.

Later I moved into the Hale residence, a cozy house shaded by lush plane trees, and I once thought this place would be my forever home.

But as time went by, I came to understand that a child living under another’s roof could never truly claim someone else’s house as their own.

I spent an entire afternoon crying alone in the Hale family study while filling out university

applications.

Making this choice was far from easy,

yet I knew I had to step away and start anew.

Aunt Clara walked in with a bowl of sweet nourishing dessert.

Seeing my tear-streaked face, she nearly dropped the bowl in shock.

“Lila, what’s wrong? Did Jake bully you again? I’ll go get him over here to apologize right away!”

I shook my head vigorously.

“Aunt Clara, I want to go to South Town.”

She froze in utter surprise.

We had long agreed I would enter the Northern Town Music Academy, which stood right next to

Bristol University. We had even checked out student dormitories in advance.

Everyone took this plan for granted, just as they all believed Jake and I would never part ways.

“Why?”

She set down the bowl, her tone filled with anxiety.

“Did Jake say something foolish? Tell me everything, and I’ll teach him a proper lesson.”

I simply looked up and gave her a gentle smile.

“It’s nothing to do with him. I truly want to attend Southern Arts College, their traditional music department suits me far better.”

Its professional strength was indeed outstanding,

but more than that, I could no longer bear to stay in North Town.

Every corner of that city was filled with memories tied to Jake.

I knew I would keep falling into the same old sorrows,

grieving over his cold indifference,

and softening again at his occasional gentle gestures.

I had long grown tired of hearing others whisper behind my back.

“Jake is so handsome, Lila hardly matches him.”

“She only stays around him because she lives in his home, he can’t really turn her down.”

Aunt Clara fell silent for a long while, then pulled me into her arms and wept.

“I’m sorry, Lila. I failed to raise that boy well.”

“But I will respect whatever decision you make.”

The moment I submitted my application form, a huge weight lifted off my chest.

In the car, Mom asked softly, “Are you sure about this? The teachers from the Royal Academy have called several times.”

I watched the plane trees fly past the window and nodded.

“Mom, I want your tomato and egg noodles.”

Mom stared at me for a second, then smiled through her tears.

“Alright, I’ll make it for you as soon as we get home.”

Dad smiled too, his voice hoarse with emotion.

“I’ll add two poached eggs for you.”

Warm wind blew in through the open window, tousling my

hair.

I made no move to close it, taking a deep slow breath instead.

I let go of all the cautious restraint, careful observation, eager pleasing and silent endurance I had kept for eight long years.

Farewell, Jake.