He Knew I Was Lying, But He Kissed Me Anyway Chapter 03

He Knew I Was Lying, But He Kissed Me Anyway Chapter 03

With Julian leading the way, my grades shot through the roof.

Those who used to mock me gradually shut up.

They were surprised at my progress—and even more surprised that this gloomy kid actually paid me any attention.

They didn’t get it: a full stomach makes a soft heart.

Over that year, I spent all my allowance on good food for Julian and took care of him when he was sick.

His face finally filled out a bit.

On the SAT, I over-performed.

I bought a gift to give him, to thank him for helping me all that time.

But when the celebration dinner was over, Julian never showed.

I was about to call him when I saw the Danmaku going crazy.

[Wow, the male lead runs into the female lead at his summer job! This is amazing.]

[Who gets it? The female lead is so pretty—way more pleasant than the villainess. Can we just get rid of the villainess already?]

[This is so sweet! They’re bonding over their part-time gigs, and I’m living for it.]

I turned off my phone.

The gift box in my hand was a pair of sneakers.

Guess I wouldn’t be giving them after all.

Earlier, I’d tested the waters with Julian in a joking way:

“Julian, have you thought about getting together with me yet? When are you going to say yes?”

Every time, he’d just bow his head silently.

No answer was an answer in itself.

I looked at our chat log. We’d been estimating our scores just yesterday.

I sent him one last message.

[Julian, thank you for all your help.]

Then I blocked him.

Anyway, he’d never like me.

I better not stand in their way, this villainess.

I got into Harvard.

Julian got in too.

But he never said a word in the group chat.

Probably busy getting close to the female lead.

Come fall, I happily hauled my luggage to school.

Freshman orientation camp.

My cheeks burned in the sun.

But I spotted Julian from the neighboring group right away.

He was tall and pale.

Hard to miss.

Julian looked better than before—maybe because he’d switched to contacts.

His sharp, cold features were fully on display.

His gaze was broody, like a cold-hearted movie hero.

Of course, after meeting the female lead, he’d level up.

At lunch break, everyone went to the cafeteria.

A really elegant girl went over to greet Julian.

They chatted and laughed, and their water bottles were matching.

She must be the female lead Danmaku mentioned—Iris Vance.

She really was pretty, with big eyes like a porcelain doll.

Suddenly, Julian met my eyes.

I hesitated, wondering if I should say hi.

But he’d already looked away and left with Iris.

Like he didn’t even know me.

Had he already found out I’d stolen the letter’s credit?

My heart thumped erratically, and I felt a weird tightness in my chest.

That night, the freshman camp had games, and the two groups combined.

We all sat face-to-face.

Awkwardly, Julian was right across from me at an angle.

When you lost the game, you either performed or shared a secret.

When it was Julian’s turn, he chose a secret.

The girls around him immediately hooted and asked one question—

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

Julian paused.

“Yeah.”

He said it seriously, never looking my way.

Something pricked at my heart, making it swell uncomfortably.

The girls gave a disappointed groan.

Behind me, someone muttered, “Of course the cute ones are taken.”

Right. He’s the male lead of this book.

We NPCs should just stay in our lane.

The Danmaku went into overdrive, saying Julian must have fallen for the female lead during his summer job and they couldn’t wait for her identity to be revealed.

Had Iris still not admitted to the letter?

My heart pounded as I considered coming clean.

Suddenly, the hot potato game landed on me.

I didn’t react in time.

I lost.

I chose to play a game.

My prompt was to pick a guy and make him blush.

Pretty easy.

I scanned the crowd. Didn’t know any of the newbies.

Julian, of course, wouldn’t help me out.

I was debating who to choose.

Then Julian glanced at me discreetly, a glint in his eyes.

I randomly pointed toward him: “I pick him. That okay?”

Host: “Sure.”

Julian was about to get up when a guy behind me stepped forward.

“Elena, you know I’m the one you need.”

Ethan Cole smiled and came closer.