hey were very surprised.
They
“Mia, why did you change your application without discussing it with us?
“Does Ryan know about this? His mom was just asking this morning if you had received your letter yet.
Dad also leaned into the camera, looking worried.
“Sweetie, how can we
w can we feel at ease with you going to Florida all alone?
“Aren’t you terribly afraid of the heat and cockroaches? You dare to go to Florida? Don’t end up calling Dad to come catch cockroaches for you,
haha
I was a bit speechless.
I had to ramble on about how great the university I got into was, and assured them that Lily would be going with me so I’d have someone looking out for me.
They were still concerned.
“Did you have a fight with Ryan? Even so, you shouldn’t impulsively choose such a faraway place!”
“What if you regret it in a few days and want to find Ryan again? You’ll have nowhere to cry then.”
“That’s right, once you separate, it’ll be four years of long distance. In the past you’d get homesick after just two weeks at grandma’s house during summer and insist on coming back to find Ryan…
The more I listened, the more upset I felt. I decided to explain everything to them at once.
“Ryan has a girlfriend now. It’s not appropriate for me to stay so close
to him anymore.
“Mom, Dad, I have my own life to live. I don’t want to just exist in his world,
“So, please support my decision, and keep it a secret for now.”
My parents looked at each other, silent for a long time, before finally agreeing.
They just asked me to come back home soon.
There wasn’t much time left before school started, and they wanted to spend more time with me..
11
According to my mom, Ryan went traveling with friends again the day after receiving his acceptance letter.
He hadn’t been home for many days.
Mrs. Carter, on the other hand, kept asking my mom about when I would return.
On the day I flew back, my parents came to pick me up at the airport dressed formally.
When I woke up and got out of the car, I found we had arrived at a five–star hotel.
Still groggy, I was pulled by my mom into the lobby.
As soon as we entered, I saw Ryan, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time.
My steps faltered,
Ryan was wearing a well–tailored suit. Standing casually by the fountain, his tall figure cut a striking silhouette.
In just one summer break, his boyish charm had faded considerably, looking very much like the grown–up version I had once Imagined.
My heart was a jumble of emotions. The encounter I had avoided for so long came so suddenly
Seeing my dazed look, Mom explained quietly.
*Mia, today is Ryan’s graduation celebration. We brought you straight here for the dinner.”
<
“Mia, didn’t you say you didn’t want to have a graduation party?
“That boy Ryan is quite thoughtful. He specially asked his parents to set the date on the day you returned, so it can be a celebration for both of
you
Ryan seemed to sense something and turned his head casually. Our eyes mel
My heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Although I had n
d mentally prepared myself to face him while in America, when the moment actually came, I still felt a bit cowardly
Ryan reacted first.
Just as he was about to come over to us, Claire suddenly appeared and took his arm.
Claire pulled him along, smiling as she came ov
over to greet us.
“Little sister Mia, you’re back? That’s great, I can finally formally meet you today.
“I always saw you with Ryan
Ryan before. Even though I was in the class next door, I never had the chance to get to know you. It’s really a shame.
She was being so polite that I couldn’t ignore her.
I forced a smile and nodded with a brief “Mm!
Ryan’s expression was a bit unnatural,
He awkwardly said, “What’s there to know about her? She’s just a petty little brat who likes to throw tantrums. I thought she was hiding in
America and wouldn’t come back.”
I didn’t respond, not knowing how to.
Claire’s figure–hugging silver evening gown sparkled with tiny diamonds, making her whole being glow. She looked perfectly matched with Ryan today.
I looked down at myself–white T–shirt, jeans, and canvas shoes. My hair was still messy from just waking up. I looked as casual as if I had just picked up a package from the convenience store.
Mom suddenly remembered something and whispered in my ear:
“I prepared a dress for you. You can change in the powder room in a bit
I nodded, then shook my head.
There was no need. I wasn’t the main character here anyway
Ryan kept staring at me, his gaze unreadable.
Claire’s eyes also darted back and forth between Ryan and me.
The atmosphere suddenly became awkwardly quiet.
Fortunately, some more friends arrived at that moment. Claire immediately pulled Ryan away to greet them.
She had the air of a hostess about her.
I quickly took the opportunity to pull my mom towards the banquet hall.
12
Ryan had only invited close family and friends to this graduation celebration, so there weren’t too many people.
<
But everyone’s gossipy looks were impossible to hide.
