The top student and the campus heartthrob became famous celebrities. On a variety show, he sang a song, saying it was dedicated to the girl he had a crush on in high school. I was sitting in a dingy diner slurping noodles, smiling and shaking my head. It couldn't possibly be me anyway. But the very next second, my phone rang. 1 Asher Hayes debuted at nineteen. In just five years, he had become a household name, an absolute superstar. While I was slurping noodles in a small, greasy diner, the wall-mounted TV was broadcasting his variety show. In the latest episode, he sang a song called "The Girl Next to Me" and said it was dedicated to his high school crush. It caused a massive sensation. The celebrity guests sitting around him started teasing him, urging him to say the girl's name. Of course, he didn't. I was a little dazed. The noodles on my chopsticks had gone cold. Because, I used to be his desk mate. But, it couldn't possibly be me. I'm just an ordinary person. Or even, a pretty pathetic one. There is an insurmountable gulf between us. Being desk mates with a superstar like him in high school was already the absolute peak of my life. I buried my head and ate that bite of noodles. It was cold and tasted awful, making me want to throw up. Bad memories came flooding back. Memories of being shoved into a bathroom stall during my period and having freezing cold water dumped over my head. The girl who dumped that water on me later became a celebrity too. Now, she is highly praised by the media as Hollywood's only "pure white lily." In a recent interview, she choked up and said she was a victim of severe school bullying in high school. She claimed she had freezing water poured on her during her period, which caused her to develop severe depression that she still hasn't recovered from. It trended number one on Twitter for a while. Many celebrities came forward to support her, posting tweets against school bullying. Oh, and that girl was also participating in that exact same variety show. When Asher was singing, she was sitting on the grass, clapping. Speaking of which, she used to be Asher's desk mate too. When the crowd was cheering for Asher to say the girl's name, she must have been expectantly waiting to hear her own name, right? I paid my bill and walked out of the diner. I completely forgot what I was just thinking about. It was so cold outside; I just wanted to go home and get warm. My phone suddenly started ringing. It was an unknown number. "Hello? Is this Ms. Quinn Foster? We are the production team for Autumn Encounters. Congratulations on becoming our special guest, earning the chance to record alongside numerous A-list celebrities..." I frowned. Autumn Encounters was exactly the variety show Asher was on. Because it was so popular recently, there had been several scam cases using the show's name. I didn't expect to run into one myself. "Hilarious. If you're the director, then I'm an international pop star," I sneered. It was already dark, and I was getting home a bit late. My older brother, Mason, wasn't at ease, so he specifically waited for me downstairs. "On the phone?" "Ah, a scam call." On the other end of the line, the person claiming to be the director was still trying hard to prove his identity when I ruthlessly hung up. "Just block it," Mason said. He rubbed my head, took my backpack, and walked upstairs. Ever since I almost died that year, he had been terrified of losing me, protecting me like a fragile crystal ball that could shatter at any moment. As I walked upstairs, I complained to him about things at school. I had just started my Ph.D. program, and getting yelled at by my advisor every day was making me question my life choices. My phone rang again. Still an unknown number, but not the same one from just now. Mason got a bit annoyed: "Hang up and block it. Seriously, these scammers never stop." But as I looked at the screen, for some reason, I felt this time was different. In the end, I answered it. "Hello?" I greeted hesitantly. The other end of the line was silent for two seconds. "Long time no see, Quinn." 2 That familiar yet unfamiliar voice was like a gust of wind, blowing open a heavy door that had been sealed for a long time. Instantly, my adrenaline spiked. My heart beat wildly. I froze in place, my hands and feet going numb. "Why aren't you saying anything? Calling you out of the blue... is this a bit too forward?" "Ah, no, no! Not at all!" Getting a call from Asher left me completely flustered. Even though we used to be classmates, we only sat in the same class together. We had absolutely no personal relationship. No matter how you looked at it, it was impossible for our paths to cross again. I let out a breath and tried my best to sound natural. "Mr. Superstar, why are you calling me?" Asher laughed. His voice sounded incredibly good. I paused. In my memory, had he ever laughed like that? It had been too long; I had forgotten. When he was my desk mate, it seemed like he was always just fast asleep on his desk. "I want to invite you to be a guest star and film the show with me. The director called you earlier, but you turned him down." "I'm so sorry, I thought it was a scammer..." "It did sound a bit like a scam. Did it scare you?" "A... a little." He laughed again, then smoothly changed the subject: "So, are you willing to come? Classmate Quinn." I panicked. Filming a show, going on TV... for someone with social anxiety, it was terrifying. Moreover, showing up looking like a disheveled grad student to meet my wildly successful old classmate made me feel deeply inadequate. "Uh, I don't think I can. Let's just forget it..." "Why? Do you really not want to see me?" He sounded so sincere, almost humble. I quickly denied it: "Ah, no, it's not that at all! How could it be? I just think it's too sudden, and I haven't thought it through." "I see. Then, please think about it carefully. I really... really want to see you." I was stunned. He paused for a moment and added: "There are other old classmates coming too. I really want to see all of you." A memory, long lost in the sea of time, suddenly drilled into my mind. 3 One year, in the spring. An invitation card appeared on my desk. "It's my birthday this Saturday. Come hang out at my place." Seventeen-year-old Asher sat on his desk, speaking with a careless attitude. Asher came from a prominent, wealthy family. His friends were all rich or influential. That invitation should never have appeared on my desk. Seeing that I wasn't speaking, Asher added, "Everyone in the class is coming. Anyway, do whatever you want." He hopped off the desk indifferently and went to play basketball with his friends. Did I go later? Yes, I went. Carrying a cheap gift and wearing plain clothes, I walked to the outside of an extravagant estate I had never even seen before in my life. At the entrance, I finally realized that the other classmates attending the party had arrived in luxury cars, wearing expensive tailored clothes. This was a gathering for the elite. There was absolutely no one like me, a total commoner. So, halfway to the door, I turned around and left. I didn't even wish Asher a happy birthday. But I figured he wouldn't care, or even notice. Originally, it was just a passing invitation. We couldn't even be considered friends. What happened after that day? I can't remember clearly. It seemed... he never spoke to me again. But then again, he rarely spoke to me to begin with. A few days later, I transferred schools, and I never saw him again. The memory ended there. On the other end of the phone, Asher was still waiting for my answer. I hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Okay, let me think about it first." Mason had heard the entire conversation. As I pocketed my phone and walked upstairs, he asked, "Is that the super popular 'Encounters' show?" "Yeah." "You're not going to go, right?" "I won't." "Then I'm relieved." My footsteps felt heavy as I walked up the stairs. But my heart felt as if it was tethered to something. After walking up seven steps, I stopped and gripped the handrail tightly. "No, Mason. I want to go." Mason's eyes widened: "Huh? Are you serious? Do you even know that Blair Kensington is on that show? Doesn't she make you sick?" "I know." My hands trembled slightly, but my heart grew firm once again. "But, Mason, I still want to go. And besides, I can't be a turtle hiding in its shell forever." 4 On the flight, I had a dream. In the dream, I went back to my high school classroom, napping on my desk. Someone leaned close to my ear and whispered softly, "Quinn, I like you." I opened my eyes to hazy light and shadows. There was no one in front of me. Only the white curtains gently swaying in the breeze. "Quinn, wake up! We're here!" Mason shook me vigorously. He picked me up like a kitten, holding bags in one hand and practically carrying me with the other. He insisted on coming with me, even calling up his frat brothers and telling them to protect me. If anyone dared to bully me, he and his boys were going to beat them to a pulp. After we got off the plane, the production team sent a private car to pick me up. After resting for a few hours, I was taken to the beach in the evening to participate in the shoot. The crew had built three giant cardboard houses resembling classrooms. In each room hid a guest star. For the sake of the show's suspense, even I didn't know who was hiding in the other two rooms. During filming, I hid behind the door, my palms sweating nervously. Soon, I heard familiar voices. Asher, Blair, and a few other well-known celebrities. I felt anxious. It had been so long. I didn't know if I would look tense or come off like a country bumpkin. Outside, the host asked, "Who do you hope to see?" Blair seemed very excited. It looked like she didn't know who was coming either. Soon, the first door opened. The host asked, "Do you still remember this old classmate's name?" Asher paused for a moment and said, "Long time no see, Brody." I couldn't see, but hearing that name made me freeze. Brody Mitchell. Wasn't he the delinquent in our class? If I remembered correctly, he was also Blair's ultimate simp... I listened carefully. It was lively outside, and Blair was smiling, but she was obviously a bit nervous. She was probably afraid he would say something he shouldn't. However, Brody was surprisingly cooperative, saying nothing but compliments about her. She gradually relaxed. After a while, another door opened. I heard Blair scream in surprise: "Riley!" The string in my mind suddenly pulled taut. Riley Jenkins was my dorm roommate in high school, and also Blair's best friend. Back then, every time Blair bullied me, Riley helped her. Including the time they poured cold water on me. Why would they invite her? Did Blair invite her? Bad memories assaulted me again, making me slightly nauseous. After they chatted outside for a while, I heard Asher's slightly urging voice: "Let's open the last door first. There's another classmate waiting inside for a long time." The host finally signaled for me to come out. "Let's welcome our third guest! Which old classmate could this be? Let's build up the anticipation... one, two, three!" I took a deep breath, adjusted my posture, and pushed the door open. The temperature had dropped sharply recently, but to look good on camera, I only wore a white dress with a trench coat over it. The moment I opened the door, the wind picked up, making my dress flutter. Unexpectedly, it drew gasps of admiration from the onlookers. I looked up and immediately saw Asher. He was wearing a white button-down shirt, standing against the brilliant lights, smiling at me as if there was a galaxy between us. "Classmate Quinn, long time no see." That lean, tall figure instantly pulled me back to my high school days. I seemed to see that teenage boy again, always wearing headphones, leaning against the window, lost in thought. I was dazed for a moment, then nodded slightly. Asher introduced me to everyone: "This is Quinn Foster, she was... the top student in our class." He didn't say I was his desk mate. Maybe it was to avoid gossip, or maybe he had just forgotten. I looked away and saw Blair. She stood to the side. For a split second, her face looked worse than if she had eaten a fly. Hollywood's "only pure white lily" was a title voted on by fans. If she hadn't claimed she was "bullied" in high school to harvest a wave of sympathy, she probably wouldn't have won that title. Now that she saw me—her living "dark history"—her emotions must have been incredibly complicated. But she quickly covered it up, running over to hug me. "Oh my god! Quinn, it's really you! I missed you so much!" I hugged her back, my face perfectly calm: "Nice to see you too, Blair." 5 Old classmates reuniting, each with their own hidden agendas. We hugged each other, our smiles faker than flattering a boss at a corporate dinner. After exchanging pleasantries, the host asked the five of us to go on stage and take a group photo. There were so many people off-stage and several cameras pointing at us. I felt awkward. Riley suddenly held my hand and smiled at me. "Don't be nervous." I looked at her defensively, but found that her gaze was actually... very gentle and sincere. It was a complete 180 from the girl who used to stand next to Blair and relentlessly humiliate me. What was going on? I didn't respond, silently pulling my hand back. After the photo shoot, we moved to the next segment. We sat around a fire pit, grilling food and chatting. This was supposed to be a heartwarming show, and in this segment, celebrities often dug up secrets buried deep in their hearts, which was what the audience loved to watch the most. I picked a spot and sat down. Surrounded by celebrities I knew or didn't know, it felt quite novel. There was a bit of space next to me. I was about to scoot over to give the person beside me more room. Just then, Asher suddenly appeared. "I'll sit here." After saying that, he added an explanation: "I'm in charge of the barbecue tonight. It's easier to operate from here." The warm light of the bonfire outlined his flawless face. He looked like a descending god, so handsome it made people stare blankly. I suddenly remembered choosing seats in our sophomore year. It was an afternoon, with dust motes dancing in the rays of the setting sun. Asher walked straight to the empty seat next to me and sat down. I was secretly shocked at the time. What? The school heartthrob is sitting next to me? Just like now. However, back then, he didn't even say hello to me. He just put his head on the desk and fell fast asleep. "Okay." I nodded and squeezed to the side, leaving more space for him. While the others were chatting, Asher quietly flipped the food, brushed oil, and sprinkled seasoning. His movements were unhurried, like he was completing a piece of art. I felt a bit uncomfortable, so I held a piece of corn on the cob and buried my head in eating it. Until someone cued me. "What was Asher like in high school?" A female singer sitting next to me suddenly asked. I looked up. Asher was looking at me, a smile in his eyes. It made my heart skip a beat. I quickly turned my head and looked at the female singer: "Him? He was pretty much the same as he is now. He was the school heartthrob back then—handsome, good grades. He was the superstar of our school." "Last time, Asher mentioned he had a crush on a female classmate in high school. Do you know her?" The gossip-hungry gazes of everyone present converged on me. Since Asher debuted, he had never revealed anything about his romantic life, so everyone was incredibly curious about this question. But how would I know who he liked? I shook my head like a rattle drum: "I really have no idea about that." The female singer looked a bit disappointed. She relentlessly turned to Asher: "Give us a hint! Like, what was unique about that girl?" I held my corn, silently looking at him, inexplicably curious myself. Across the fire, Blair was also looking at him expectantly. But Asher just smiled faintly, patiently clipping a chicken wing: "Her? Everything about her was unique." That was as good as saying nothing. The female singer pressed on: "If you had to use a flower to describe her, what would it be?" The implication of that question couldn't be more obvious. Blair was known as the "pure white lily." By asking this, the singer wanted to know if Asher's crush was Blair. Because they were high school classmates and used to be desk mates, many people suspected the girl was Blair. But Asher shook his head. "She's not a flower." He unhurriedly continued what he was doing, not looking at anyone, and said, "Flowers are too fragile. They aren't like her." Blair froze, the light in her eyes gradually dimming. She knew Asher wasn't talking about her. As for who it was, I didn't know either. He said flowers were too fragile, not like her. So, he liked a tomboy? I thought for a long time but couldn't figure out who in our class fit the bill. It must be someone I didn't know. But to be crushed on by Asher and kept in his heart for so many years, she must have been very beautiful. The female singer asked again: "Did you ever confess to her?" I thought to myself, what a stupid question. He said it was a crush. If he confessed, would it still be called a crush? But Asher replied: "I did confess." "But she didn't hear me." Soon, he looked up, smiling, and asked: "Who wants chicken wings?" A bunch of people swarmed over: "Me, me, me!" I was squeezed to the edge, my mind still replaying his words. I confessed, but she didn't hear me. Looks like that girl had bad hearing. Looking at it this way, Asher was actually a bit pitiful. He finally managed to vocalize his love, but the person didn't hear it, and they missed each other forever. To be kept deep in his heart and yearned for over so many years... It was quite enviable. I lowered my eyes, looking at the fire, feeling a momentary pang of loss. Since they couldn't get anything more out of Asher, the topic naturally transitioned to Blair. The female singer asked me again: "What was Blair like in high school?" Blair looked at me, smiling, but the tension and threat in her eyes were practically overflowing. Of course, I wasn't going to say that she rallied everyone to isolate me—they wouldn't broadcast that anyway. I just smiled and said sweetly: "Blair was incredibly popular because she's so pretty, right? She had an outgoing personality, was generous to her friends, and everyone loved her. Whenever there was a vote for class officers or student reps, she always got first place." Riley and Brody, sitting on the other side, also chimed in: "Blair was everyone's goddess." Blair breathed a sigh of relief. However, she completely failed to realize that what I just said contradicted the "bullied victim" persona she had built up over the past few months. She had told too many lies; she couldn't even remember what she had said before. Everyone talked and laughed, and time passed quickly. Around 10 PM, we headed back to the hotel to rest. Blair ran over and hooked her arm through mine, insisting on walking me back. With the cameras still rolling, she smiled sweetly, asking about my well-being like we were long-lost best friends. Once we reached the hotel entrance and the cameras retreated, she finally showed her true colors. "Quinn, I don't know how the production team contacted you, and I don't know why you agreed to come. But listen to me, watch what you say and do. If you accidentally say the wrong thing, get cyberbullied, face retaliation, and it ruins your normal life... don't blame me for not warning you." Her ability to flip her attitude faster than flipping a page in a book was truly comical. I couldn't help but laugh. Mimicking her innocent persona in front of others, I said, "Thank you for the warning! You really treat me like a best friend, thinking of everything for me." "Who is your best friend? Stop acting like a fake saint here, it's disgusting!" She pushed me away in disgust and was about to curse more. Coincidentally, Mason came downstairs. A tall, muscular guy over six feet tall, walking toward her with cold eyes. "Little girl, what are you doing?" Blair backed up, swallowing the words she was about to say. She didn't want to be at a disadvantage here. Pursing her lips, she whispered: "Quinn, that's all I'm going to say. Keep yourself in line and don't spout nonsense, for both our sakes." After saying that, she glanced at Mason, quickly got into her luxury van, and left. 6 "Did she bully you?" "No." "Let me tell you, if she ever dares to do anything to you..." "I'll give her a left hook, then a right hook, and beat her until she doesn't know what hit her!" "That's my girl!" Mason proudly walked me back to my room, but there was an uninvited guest standing at the door. "Hi, Quinn." Riley looked at me, looking like she had made a huge decision. I stopped and looked at her warily. She quickly explained: "I don't mean anything bad. I just want to say two sentences and I'll leave." I remained silent. She bit her lip and said: "Quinn, I know you hate me. Back then... I did a lot of terrible things, and I hurt you deeply. Maybe, maybe you've already forgotten..." "No, I haven't forgotten." "Ah, right. How could you possibly forget." She nervously gripped the hem of her shirt: "I haven't forgotten either. Actually, all these years, I've felt terribly guilty. Every time I think of what I did in high school, I want to slap myself. Really, I'm so sorry..." I was a bit surprised. Was she repenting? I looked at her quietly. Riley pursed her lips, lowering her eyes guiltily. After a while, she looked up, her eyes suddenly becoming resolute: "Quinn, I know you won't forgive me. But, I will make up for my mistakes. People who make mistakes must inevitably pay the price!" After saying that, she turned and ran away. I watched her back, unable to pinpoint my exact emotions. After a while, I turned to Mason: "She's not going to jump into the ocean, is she?" Mason frowned: "Who cares about her? Don't take it to heart. Get some rest." "Okay." I went inside, listened to my brother, and deadbolted the door. I leaned against the door, lost in thought. It was strange, wasn't it? When she apologized to me, my heart was completely unruffled. It felt light, without a shred of relief. Probably because the apology came way too late, and I no longer needed it. My phone suddenly vibrated, startling me. It was actually Asher. "Did you get back safely?" he asked. This was our first time exchanging messages since we added each other on WhatsApp the day before yesterday. "Yes, I did." I sent a little sun emoji. He replied with a little sun emoji too. So... cute. "Do you have time tomorrow morning? Let's go for a walk together. The scenery here is beautiful." Was he asking me out? The air suddenly grew thick. My heart was beating so fast it felt like it would fly out of my chest. He quickly sent another message: " Filming was chaotic last night, I didn't get to properly host you guys." You guys? So, Brody and Riley were going too? What was I overthinking just now? I let out a soft breath and replied: "Sure." "Great. See you tomorrow at 9 AM. Goodnight." He sent a sticker of a sleeping moon, ending the conversation. My tense nerves relaxed, and only then did I realize my palms were drenched in sweat.
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