My senior year of high school, I transferred out. I never imagined that soon after, rumors would spread like wildfire among our classmates: I was dead, a victim of leukemia. After I left, the rebellious slacker in the back row, Owen, suddenly fell silent. He shed his defiant image, studying with a ferocity no one had ever seen, eventually gaining admission to a top-tier music conservatory. Nine years later, he was a household name, a chart-topping sensation. On a live talk show, when the topic of relationships came up, a profound melancholy shadowed his face. "She's gone now." "If only I'd known, I wouldn't have wished her to stay eighteen forever." Masked, camcorder on my shoulder, I panned across his phone's lock screen. My breath hitched. Wait. Was that... me? 1 Owen King had dominated the charts for seven years, racking up countless awards, the undisputed idol in millions of hearts. After all that time, I was seeing him again. But now, he was the reality show's star, and I was just the camera op. This was Owen’s first reality show, and his fans were buzzing with anticipation. The moment he stepped into view, the venue erupted. A swarm of paparazzi descended. My colleague nudged me gently. "Owen's here." "Saw him." He strode quickly through the guest channel, head down, pulling his baseball cap lower. Even just his silhouette sent the crowd into a frenzy of screams. I quickly powered on my camcorder, capturing his entrance. Damn, he's still got it. Good for a quick buck from the fans. "Hey, I heard Owen graduated from Riverside High. You're alumni, right? Do you know him?" my colleague suddenly asked. I paused. A memory flickered to life, sharp and vivid. Another twilight, so many years ago. Back then, I was still Lily Lin. Inside The Rack 'n' Roll, tears silently tracked down my face as I clutched my homework. "Owen, please, no more fighting. Can you just finish your assignments first?" Blood streamed from the back of Owen's hand, his patience clearly razor-thin. "Lily, you are seriously annoying. Can't you understand a damn word? Get lost." ... My mind snapped back to reality. I smiled, shaking my head. "He's a huge star. How could I possibly know him?" Once artists hit it big, they usually cut ties with their old friends to avoid trouble. Owen's reputation in high school wasn't great. He’d definitely want nothing to do with former classmates. Especially since he used to despise me. I'd just shoot more footage of him, sell it, and move on. No need to bother him. 2 The show was an hour from starting. I sat in a corner, checking my equipment, when a voice suddenly echoed above me. "Lily?" I froze, looking up. It was Hazel. She was one of the guests on this episode, and also my college classmate. She'd been jobless last year, practically begging me for help. Our studio needed a production assistant then, so I pulled some strings to get her in. Who knew that during one shoot, she'd accidentally wander into a shot, and with her sweet looks and voice, become an overnight sensation? We hadn't spoken since. I offered a faint smile. "What a coincidence." She blinked, feigning surprise. "Lily, it is you! Still lugging that camera around? I thought you'd be running the show by now!" She went on, a flicker of feigned regret crossing her face. "Things really do happen for a reason, don't they? If it had been you caught on camera back then, maybe you'd be the star. But, you know…" Her tone shifted, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "It's fate, really. I begged you for a job back then, and you deliberately messed with me, stuck me with all the grunt work, the hardest, dirtiest jobs. Even the universe saw how unfair that was, and that's why I blew up overnight. Lily, this is your karma." I stayed silent, with nothing to say. She'd broken equipment at her old company and been fired, then she’d called me sobbing daily, saying she couldn't afford food, pleading for a job, swearing she'd do anything for money. I felt for her, pulled every string I had to get her into the studio. And she thinks I was messing with her. What else could I say? Someone was approaching from not far away. 3 "Hazel!" I turned. It was Mark, my ex-boyfriend, who'd been our classmate, too. After Hazel blew up, Mark dumped me and ran off to be her assistant manager. Seeing me, he stopped short. "Lily Lin?" Hazel took the coffee from his hand. "Mark, you got it already?" "Yeah, had to hit a few blocks, but finally found it." "You're the best." Hazel grinned, then turned her mocking gaze on me. "You used to complain Mark never cared for you, always so distant. What gives? He’s been so thoughtful with me." "Oh." Had she finished? I looked at her, slowly. "Anything else you wanted to say, Ms. Hazel? Because everything you just said? I recorded it all." Hazel froze. "What did you say?" Her whole brand was the 'sweet, ditzy darling,' with a fanbase full of 'dream boys.' If this video got out, she was toast. "Lily Lin, delete that video!" She snapped, lunging to grab my camcorder. I clutched it tight, refusing to let go. "Ms. Hazel, this is a friend's camcorder. I'm not sure how to delete anything." "Don't play dumb with me! Delete it now, or you're gonna regret it!" She yanked desperately. Mark, seeing things escalate, rushed over to break it up. The commotion was loud enough to draw the entire crew. Our producer rushed over, demanding to know what was going on. My eyes welled up, feigning distress. "Ms. Hazel insists I filmed her and wants me to delete it, but I truly didn't!" Hazel's eyes widened. "Stop acting! Hand over the camcorder! Or I'll sue you for violating my publicity rights!" The producer quickly tried to calm her, then took my camcorder and powered it on. Hazel stared in disbelief, scrolling through, searching. How could she find anything? I hadn't even turned it on. Hazel was about to say something else. Mark, seeing the momentum turning against her, quickly pulled her away. "It's just a misunderstanding, folks. Ms. Hazel was just worried about her look getting leaked, didn't mean to cause any trouble." He hurried Hazel away. I looked at the producer apologetically. "I'm so sorry. I don't know why she's so sensitive. I just touched the camcorder, and she started claiming I filmed her." "I know, I know." The producer waved a dismissive hand. "These minor celebrities are the worst. Big egos, no talent. Someone else will put her in her place soon enough. Everyone, back to your positions. Half an hour until we start." I nodded, pulling out my mask and putting it on. I never liked my face on camera, so I always wore it on set. Just as I finished, a shout came from behind me. "Lily Lin!" I turned, seeing a production assistant, and... Owen. 4 "Owen's regular camera op had a last-minute emergency. You're filling in." I stared at Owen. He wore a simple hoodie, his expression distant. As the wind stirred his bangs, the eighteen-year-old boy from my memories seemed to suddenly resurface. Why are you called Lily Lin and not, like, Big Lily? What's up with the old man? This one-on-one tutoring? Your grades are worse than mine, who's helping who? You're seriously annoying. What I do or don't learn is none of your business, is it? I'm going to sleep. Don't wake me up for class later. LILY! ... I snapped back to reality, nodding. "Got it." I swung the camcorder onto my shoulder and hurried over. Owen paused, then extended a hand, polite and formal. "Ms. Lin, hello." I reached out, shaking his hand. "Hello." Our skin met. That long, elegant hand instantly became slick with moisture. Owen flinched, his hand trembling slightly, his gaze suddenly locking onto my eyes. Surprise and bewilderment swirled within them. 5 My heart gave a quiet lurch. Why... why was he looking at me like that? "Owen?" His grip was too tight. I had to speak up. He blinked, coming back to himself, then released my hand, offering an apologetic smile. "My bad. Been a little exhausted lately, got lost in thought." So that was it. Big celebrities, jet-setting for appearances, it’s bound to be tiring. He finished, then looked at the production assistant. "Shall we go?" After his solo interview, the show began. It was a live broadcast: eight celebrity guests would draw lots to determine their roles, then hunt for a secret treasure hidden within the school. The winning team’s prize would be used to fund an adult school for individuals with autism. The moment Owen appeared, the bullet comments exploded. 【LOL Owen's so awkward!】 【Owen never does reality shows, only charity events like this could tempt him.】 【Owen is seriously the best! He donates to leukemia patients every year since his debut and even writes songs for them. That's an idol!】 【Isn't it because his first love died of leukemia? This show must be for her, too. So devoted, ugh, I just want to hug him.】 【Wait, for real? Who was Owen's first love?】 【I think a high school classmate? He mentioned it when he first debuted on his social media, but his posts are only visible for the last six months now, so you can't see it anymore.】 In the control room, I watched the small monitor beside me, my mind drifting. His first love... a high school classmate? Died of leukemia? I racked my brain, but no one fit the description. Though, I had transferred out in my senior year. What happened after that, I wouldn't know. Maybe he met someone special then. I looked at Owen, a hollow ache settling in my chest. In high school, he’d been cold and dismissive, caring for no one. I'd always thought no one could ever truly reach him. Turns out, someone could. But... I shook my head, a small, wry smile on my lips. I found myself curious about her. The kind of person who could tame Owen's wild side, who he’d remember for so long, she had to be truly special. After the guest introductions, the host warmed up the audience, and the drawing of lots began. Hazel got lucky, drawing the 'Honor Student' card. Her privileges were high; she could access most of the school freely. Owen, though, pulled the 'Slacker' card, the lowest privilege. He'd have to complete a task before entering any area. Owen stared at the card in his hand, a wry, almost exasperated laugh escaping him. Back in high school, he was infamous for being either last or second-to-last in grades. This draw was pretty accurate. Good thing the competition was held at Riverside High. At least he had home-field advantage. During the Q&A, the host asked about everyone's most unique high school memories. Hazel tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a bittersweet smile on her face. "My high school memories aren't great. Probably because of my looks, the other girls weren't very friendly, so I never really had many friends. Then in college, I finally made one good friend, someone I trusted completely, but then at my lowest point, she really kicked me while I was down... Anyway, it's all in the past now. I've forgiven her." 【Ugh, I'm fuming! Hazel's so cute, how could anyone bully her? Are those people insane?】 【I get it, I totally get it! I'm also pretty good-looking, and I could tell the girls in my class just didn't like me. Seriously, it's not my fault I'm pretty.】 【Hazel's so pure! She actually forgave them, but if it were me, I'd never let anyone who backstabbed me off the hook!】 Watching from off-camera, I had to admit, I was almost impressed. Turning black into white, and doing it so vaguely, never naming names, impossible to verify – if that wasn't a talent, what was? "Enough about me. What about you, Owen? Your school days must have been much more interesting, right?" Having achieved her goal, she wisely decided to quit while she was ahead, smoothly linking herself to Owen. Everyone collectively turned to Owen. His gaze swept over my location. A faint smile touched his lips. "That was ages ago. Can't quite remember." For a split second, I felt a strange disorientation. I couldn't tell if his gaze was for the camera, or for me. 6 Half an hour later, the show cut to commercials. Everyone boarded vans headed for Riverside High. Before we got in, Mark found me. "Lily." He seemed awkward. I didn't bother looking at him. "Something you need? I'm busy." The air hung heavy for a beat. He looked at me, a hint of apology in his eyes. "Have you... been okay this past year?" "What's wrong? Afraid I'm doing too well, posing a threat to you two?" "How could you think that?" He quickly explained, his gaze filled with remorse. "What happened back then, I messed up, I really did. But I was so sick of those endless, dead-end days. I hope you can understand. I have some connections now, if you're looking for a new job, I can help. At least you won't have to work so hard." I paused. He regretted it? Ran off with Hazel for money, and now that he knows she's high-maintenance, he suddenly remembers me. I straightened up, looking at the small mole on his nose. It used to make him seem so handsome, I’d loved it almost to the point of obsession. Now... the more I looked, the more it sickened me. "No thanks. Scumbags don't have good intentions, and even if they did, I wouldn't touch them with a ten-foot pole." He stiffened. He was about to speak again when a car pulled up beside us. Hazel swung the door open, her face cold, calling him over like a pet. "Mark, my feet are killing me. Come rub them." Mark hesitated for a fraction of a second, then hurried over to her. "Coming, babe." Hazel glanced at me. "What were you two talking about?" "Nothing much. Just warned her to behave." "Oh, really? I thought she was trying to get back with you. You know, I still remember her crying, begging you not to leave her. Ugh, what's the difference between her and a stray dog?" Mark flinched, then chuckled. "No, even if she wanted to, I'd never agree. She's not even worth a strand of your hair." "That's more like it." Hazel's expression was smug. "Don't you think she hates me now? I'm on a major reality show, and her? Nothing. She couldn't even hold onto the man she loved." ... I didn't hear what else they said, focusing on gathering my gear. Until someone beeped at me. "Lily, let's go." I murmured a reply, clutching my gear, and climbed in. Only then did I realize Owen was already inside, texting someone. Why was he in this car? My heart pounded, but I dared not ask, pretending not to see him, quietly settling into the back seat. Suddenly, my phone blared. It was Owen's signature hit: The Sound of Falling Rain. "This rain stops here, emotions linger, what you leave behind, a long, lingering dampness..." Every head in the car swiveled. I fumbled frantically to silence it, but it was too late. Owen's head shot up. Through the rearview mirror, his gaze locked with mine. "My bad," I said, an awkward laugh escaping me. "Just heard it on the charts yesterday, thought it was catchy, decided to use it as my ringtone." He paused. "But that's from this year's concert." Right... I forgot. It was the live concert version. The audio quality was terrible, background noise and all. "Have you seen my concert, Ms. Lin?" he asked. Memories crashed over me like waves. But how could I admit it? It was my deepest, most guarded secret. Even after all these years, deliberately avoiding any news of him, I couldn't resist. I'd gone to his seven-year anniversary concert. Sat in the very last row, tears streaming down my face for his success. "No," I said. "Must've been uploaded by a fan online, I guess? I'm not really tech-savvy." "Is that so?" He didn't break eye contact. He just calmly studied my reflection in the mirror, his thoughts unreadable. A moment stretched between us. "Ms. Lin, aren't you hot?" "Excuse me?" "Wearing a mask all the time, aren't you hot?" he asked, his voice casual, like simple concern. I wiped sweat from my forehead. "No, I'm fine. I... have a cold, don't want to spread it." "...I see." My phone grew hot in my grip. Message alerts buzzed one after another. He glanced at them, replying calmly, yet unable to control the tremor in his fingertips. I lowered my eyes, quickly changing my ringtone. Once done, I snuck a glance at the front. Seeing him preoccupied with his messages, I let out a silent breath of relief. Close call. Almost blew it. 7 The car started moving. In the gentle sway, I drifted into a short dream. I was back in that classroom, last row again. Our homeroom teacher had set up a tutoring group, one-on-one. And I, second to last, was assigned to tutor Owen, who was dead last. Back then, Owen was the resident rebel, avoided by everyone. His days were split between sleeping and stirring up trouble. As the group leader, I'd tried every trick in the book to whip him into shape, but he only ever made me cry with frustration. A month later, midterm results were out. He was second to last. I was dead last. I cried so hard that day. Owen was sick of me. Just to get some peace, he ditched class with me and took me for some street food. "Just eat, relax. You're dead last, nowhere to go but up, right?" "Me? I don't care. Learning or not, it's all the same. My old man only cares about his other kid anyway." "Alright, drop it. Music conservatory? That old guitar? I haven't touched it in ages!" "La la la, I can't hear you!" "LILY! What I learn or don't learn is none of your business! I regret buying you that food, now spit it out—" ... Owen always asked why I was so set on him studying. He’d never know. How, long ago, I'd seen another side of him. Brilliant, playing his own songs, full of youthful vigor and fire. I wanted that Owen to wake up. What a shame, what a waste. 8 Ten minutes later, the car pulled up to our destination. I'd slept the entire ride, oblivious to Owen watching me the whole way. The live broadcast resumed. Everyone else entered the school through the main gates. Except Owen. As the 'Slacker,' even entering the school required a challenge. Solve a riddle, or do fifty push-ups. Pick one. The comments section collectively melted for Owen. 【Go for the riddle, push-ups will drain too much energy for the rest of the game. But riddles take forever! Owen's fit, he should just do the push-ups!】 The camera zoomed in on Owen. It seemed like a crucial decision. But Owen... chose neither. He surveyed his surroundings, then scaled the school's side wall. "Slackers gotta find slacker ways, right?" On camera, he sat perched on the wall, wild and unbridled, just like he'd been all those years ago. He looked at me, his eyes flashing. "Give me your hand," he said. As his camera op, I felt I had no choice. The moment our hands clasped tightly... "Ms. Lin, you remind me of someone." I looked up, confused. "What?" He looked at me, a gentle, old breeze sweeping through his eyes. "Nothing. Just a feeling that today might be very lucky." ? What was he on about? My body felt weightless. He'd pulled me up beside him. The directors were stumped. It took a while for the security guard NPCs to catch up. We jumped down, ducking into the janitor's closet, waiting in the cramped space for what felt like an eternity. The NPCs finally wandered off. I let out a soft sigh of relief. I turned my head and found Owen staring at me, as if deep in thought. In the dim light, we were so close I could almost hear the frantic beating of our own hearts. I swallowed. "...Owen? Is something wrong?" He offered a quiet smile, then reached out. From the cabinet above my head, he plucked the hidden treasure. "See, Ms. Lin? I told you today would be lucky." The bullet comments went wild. 【OMG, HELP, why is this so flirty?!】 【Dying laughing, Owen's a newbie to reality TV, has no idea he's practically flirting with the camera op!】 【I'm low-key shipping them now, is that wrong?】
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