He Changed My Major And I Changed My Entire Life Chapter 08

He Changed My Major And I Changed My Entire Life Chapter 08

After that day, the comments disappeared. I could no longer see Sean’s hidden feelings, and honestly, I was glad. Things finally got quiet.

My university in Australia kept a light course load, but the lectures were engaging. I dove deeper into entomology research, and my professors were always happy to answer my questions.

My parents worried at first that I’d have trouble adjusting to life abroad. But once they saw how well I was doing, they relaxed.

Over Christmas break, I joined a project that needed samples of a specific butterfly species from back home. Around the same time, my old high school class president invited everyone to a reunion, so I decided to fly back.

I’d barely stepped off the plane when Sean hurried over, took my luggage without asking, and said quietly, “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back? How long are you staying?”

I had no idea how he even knew. He stared at me without blinking, as if he was trying to memorize my face.

I looked back at him calmly. Just a few months apart, and he already looked different. Thinner. Dark circles under his eyes. He’d lost all his usual liveliness and spark.

“Not long. I’m just here to collect some specimens and see some friends.” I took my suitcase back from him. “You don’t need to follow me.”

He stared at his empty hands, bit his lip, and hurried to catch up. “I

can help you catch butterflies. I’ve done it before.”

I stopped and turned to look at him. “You’d just get in the way.”

“Every time you catch a butterfly, you rub the scales off its wings. Damaged specimens are useless for research.”

“Sean, you’d just get in my way. Don’t you have your own stuff to deal with?”

That came out harsher than I meant it. His pupils shrank, his fingers trembled, and he opened his mouth but couldn’t find any words to say back.

I left the airport alone, got my gear together, and went straight to the wetland I knew best. I collected the specimens without any trouble—they were perfect, intact, and secure.

I ran my fingers over the wooden frame. This time, nothing was going to break.

I took a moment to collect myself, then showed up at the private lounge inside the neighborhood bistro ten minutes before the reunion started. The class president waved me over with a smile.

“Jo! Come on in.”

A few of my closer friends crowded around me, laughing and teasing.

“Our top scholar’s back! Is living down under really all it’s cracked up to be? Any fun differences from home?”

“Wait, do people actually eat kangaroo over there? Did you bring back any cool stuff?”

“Did you bring any souvenirs?”

Their easy chatter made me relax. There was no awkwardness, no distance between us. I laughed and answered their questions—until my eyes accidentally met Sean’s from across the room. He was sitting in the corner, watching me with an expression I couldn’t read. I looked away.

One of my friends leaned in and whispered, “So. You and Sean really broke up? Was it because of Katherine?”

I blinked and shook my head. Right then, I happened to look up and catch Katherine’s eyes from across the table. She was sitting right next to Sean. She shot me a look that was almost like a challenge—until Sean glared at her. She pouted dramatically, let out a petty huff, then twisted her head aside.

Looked like things weren’t going great between them either.

“It wasn’t about her,” I said quietly.

And it was true. Sean and Katherine’s friendship had been part of it, sure. But that was just the last straw. The real issue was always Sean’s flawed personality. Our personalities had always been different. The cracks had been there for years. I just kept patching them up so well that no one could see them.

The moment I stopped patching, everything fell apart. Sean didn’t see it coming. And I think that’s what he still couldn’t get over.

Our old high school friend who organized the reunion kept the conversation moving, steering us through old high school memories. Everyone had a good time. People said their goodbyes and headed out in small groups, calling out, “See you next time!”

“See you next time, Jo!”

I waved goodbye to my friends and got into the car I’d called. Before I could close the door, a hand reached out and stopped it.