His Chubby Luna’s Untouchable Glow-Up Chapter 04

His Chubby Luna’s Untouchable Glow-Up Chapter 04

For several days after the call ended, my life remained as still as a lake in fall.

There was none of the turmoil I had expected. I attended classes, studied in the library, and practiced with the debate team every day.

It was a simple life, but the best I had known in more than a decade. No one mocked me or threw filthy insults around; everyone simply minded their own business.

My short hair gradually reached my shoulder blades, and tying it back made me feel fresh and light.

Vincent did not call again, but long letters kept arriving in my inbox.

The first came before dawn the day after our call.

[Rachel, I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say. How could you go to Southbridge University? Didn’t we agree to attend Northcrest together?]

[I checked the flights. The next one leaves at six tomorrow morning. I’ll come find you, and we’ll talk face-to-face.]

[Wait for me.]

I did not answer. I dragged the message to the trash.

The second letter was even longer.

[I’m here. The south is hot, nothing like home. I’ve walked around your campus for three days. I’ve seen so many girls whose backs looked like yours, but none of them were you.]

[I’m sitting outside your department building. If you see me, will you come down? Just give me five minutes.]

When class ended that afternoon, I did see him sitting beside a flower bed near the entrance, his handsome face drawing frequent glances.

The September sun was still fierce. He squinted as he searched the passing crowd, clutching a small plastic bag.

I told my roommate to go on without me.

Then I walked toward Vincent.

The moment he saw me, he shot to his feet. His eyes lit up, only to dim again.

“Rachel.” His voice finally returned, rough as sandpaper. “Your hair… it’s grown out.”

“Yeah.”

“It looks nice.” He forced a smile and offered me the bag. “Your favorite strawberry candy.”

“I don’t eat candy anymore.” I did not take it. “Why are you here?”

“You don’t?” His smile stiffened, and his hand slowly fell. “I wanted to see you. I wanted to say I’m sorry. I truly am, for your hair, the election, and the festival.”

“That is all in the past,” I cut in. “We are over.”

“We are not!” His voice rose as the words tumbled out. “Rachel, it isn’t over. I can’t get past it. Every night I dream that you’re crying and asking me why. I see your hair hacked to pieces.”

“I can’t take it anymore, Rachel. I know I was wrong. Please give me one more chance. We can start over. I promise, I swear, I’ll never…”

“We never started, so how could we start over?” I interrupted again, still calm.

He went motionless and stared at me.

“I always thought we were together. Everything else was just childish teasing. We grew up side by side. Our relationship was obvious.”

“So that gave you the right to humiliate me whenever you wanted, then come back once the novelty wore off and expect me to welcome you?”

“No!” he said urgently. “I only… I just…”

“You thought I embarrassed you and wasn’t good enough for you. That was why you kept your distance in front of everyone, drugged me so Daphne could cut my hair and ruin my interview, and chose her every single time.”

I spoke slowly, without anger or tears, simply stating the facts.

“Vincent, I don’t blame you anymore. I mean that. But I also want nothing more to do with you.”

“The engagement has been canceled. We owe each other nothing.”

I turned to leave.

“Rachel!” His voice cracked behind me. “What if I really change? I won’t see Daphne anymore. I’ll treat you right. I’ll tell everyone that you’re my future mate. Please?”

“It is too late.” I did not look back. “And I don’t need that anymore.”

“My life is good now, a thousand times better than it ever was beside you.”

“So please, stop disturbing my peace.”

An early fall breeze lifted the hair from my shoulders.

I never turned around, so I did not see how long he remained there or how he finally sank down and buried his face in his hands.