His Heart Stayed Flat for Me, Raced for Her, I Stayed for Neither Chapter 06

His Heart Stayed Flat for Me, Raced for Her, I Stayed for Neither Chapter 06

As my plane was getting ready to take off, a live video popped up in the class group chat.

It was Olivia’s birthday party.

The screen showed her surrounded by classmates, with balloons and a banner in the background.

Caleb walked toward her, carrying a cake, as everyone sang.

The chat and comments were going crazy.

[The school heartthrob is here for the queen’s birthday!]

[They need to become official today!]

[Say yes! Say yes!]

Olivia put her hands together, closed her eyes, and made a wish, her face glowing with happiness. “My birthday wish is… to be with Caleb forever. Never apart.”

The chat exploded.

[OMG so sweet!]

[We support you, queen!]

[Lock them in!]

I stared at the screen. The camera cut to Caleb.

He stood in the middle of the crowd, his face half in shadow from the candles. I couldn’t read his expression.

Olivia opened her eyes and looked right at him. “Caleb, I like you. Not because of some contract, not because of a bet. I really, genuinely like you.”

“I’ve liked you ever since our first fight.”

The room went silent for a second. Then the cheering was deafening.

“Answer her! Answer her!”

The comments were flying.

[See that, average girl? This is what a real couple looks like.]

[Maybe Emily will finally get it. She’s not even fit to untie Olivia’s shoes.]

[She threw away her future for a guy who doesn’t even care.]

I remembered the night I confessed to Caleb.

The moonlight was beautiful. It fell across his face, making him look even more handsome than usual.

I nervously took his hand and said the clumsy words, “I like you.”

Then I got embarrassed and ran away.

My heart was pounding.

When I got to my front door, Caleb caught up with me.

He walked toward me, his eyes so bright they almost glowed. “I like you too, Emily.”

Then he kissed my forehead and wrapped his arms around me. “Let’s stay together. Forever. Never apart.”

A breeze blew petals off the trees.

We held each other in the moonlight. Both of us were blushing.

Back then, I thought those promises would last forever.

But now I knew. Nothing lasts forever.

Not promises. Not love.

The plane announcement came on, telling everyone to turn off their electronics.

I quickly typed a comment.

[I wish you both happiness.]

Then I turned off my phone.

That wish wasn’t for them.

It was for me. Because I was finally letting go.

At that moment, hundreds of miles away, the party was reaching its peak.

Everyone was waiting for Caleb’s answer.

Olivia looked up at him, her face bright red.

She had set aside all her pride and confessed in front of everyone, just to get an answer.

But Caleb was quiet for a long time.

So long that the cheering died down. So long that people started to sense something was wrong.

Finally, he spoke, “Olivia, I’m sorry.”

His voice was steady. “Let’s end the contract early. Right here.”

Everyone froze.

“What did you say?” Olivia’s eyes were red. She had never imagined he would say no.

“I can’t say yes.”

“Why not?” Olivia started to cry. “Don’t you like me? Caleb, look me in the eyes. Tell me you feel nothing for me.”

Caleb looked down and didn’t answer.

Then Olivia’s face changed completely.

“It’s Emily, isn’t it?”