My Childhood Friend Loves Mocking Me Chapter 08

My Childhood Friend Loves Mocking Me Chapter 08

Jake did not leave South Town right away after that day.

He showed up at the college gate every single day. He never stepped inside nor blocked my way,

just standing beneath the tallest sycamore tree, quietly gazing in my direction.

Raina was the first one to notice him.

“That tall guy, is he waiting for you? I’ve seen him stand there for days.”

I nodded and told her not to pay him any mind.

She didn’t pry, but every time we passed, she’d glance over and give me a report.

“He’s here again today, looking even skinnier.”

“It rained heavily today, and he stood there without an umbrella, soaked all over.”

“He carried a paper bag today, no one knows what’s inside.”

On the fifth day, he stepped forward and stopped me.

He held out the bag, which contained a cup of hot milk tea and a piece of chocolate cake.

“You used to love this flavor.”

I looked at the cup and let out a soft laugh. “I only ‘loved’ this because it’s what you bought me the first time. I actually prefer another brand-less sugar, with oat milk. You never knew, because you never asked.”

His hand froze mid-air.

“Go back to North Town, Jake. Winters here are bitterly cold. You wear far too little and will fall ill

soon.’

His lips trembled, his eyes turning red once more.

“Do you still care about me?”

I sighed gently.

“We spent eight years side by side after all. I am not heartless. Letting go of you does not mean I can

watch you ruin yourself.”

“But this is pointless. Just like I don’t like sweet ribs anymore, I don’t like this tea, and I don’t have feelings for you anymore.”

His face drained of all color.

“I will change. Give me one chance, and I will learn to treat you right.”

I kept walking without pause.

Jake stayed in South Town for more than two weeks, coming to look for me several times.

He repeated the same words over and over again.

He admitted his faults, confessed how awful he had been,

said he never truly believed I would leave for good,

and thought I would always stay by his side no matter how badly he acted.

Our last meeting fell on a rainy mid-November day.

The cold drizzle poured down relentlessly, sharp and stinging against the skin.

Umbrella in hand, I walked out the gate to find him standing in the rain without one. He was soaked through, lips tinged blue, shivering violently.

“Lila, I’ve suspended my studies.”

My grip tightened on the umbrella handle, nearly slipping out of my hand.

“My father is furious, and my mother cries every single day. Yet I cannot stay in North Town any longer.”

“Your things are still left untouched-your cup on the desk, your slippers by the door. Mother bursts into tears every time she sees them, and my heart aches unbearably every time I lay eyes on

them.”

He buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking violently.

I never thought you would leave me. I got used to having you around ever since we were ten. I took your company for granted, spoke recklessly and acted willfully, convinced that you would never walk away no matter what I did or said.”

“I’m so sorry, Lila, truly sorry.”

“I finally realize now, it was never you who needed a place to stay in my home. It is me who cannot live without you.”

The rain grew heavier, and the small umbrella could not shelter two people at once.

I pressed the umbrella into his hands, then stepped back to stand in the cold rain.

“Anyone can carry on living without another person. People form new habits in just twenty-one

days. Please do not come looking for me again.”

“I forgive all your past taunts and harsh words, but there will be no future for us.”

“Just like this rain, once it stops, all traces will be washed away completely.”

I turned around and ran straight into the campus, never glancing back.

His shouts of my name drifted over through the heavy rain, broken and faint.

I did not slow down my pace.