Chapter 2 The Girlfriend
667 Words
Overwhelmed by a mix of shame and sorrow, I ran. Although he comforted me later, our relationship shifted from that day forward. He continued tutoring me, but instead of coming to my room, he stayed downstairs in the hall. In other respects, he treated me as well as ever, so I didn't think much of it.
Thanks to my excellent brother's tutoring, I successfully applied to the same university as him. He had asked me several times where I was applying, but I kept it a secret until the acceptance letter arrived. Eager to share my joy, I told him, "Orion, we'll be schoolmates!"
Instead of being happy, he frowned and lectured me, "Aria, this is ridiculous! You're a humanities student; you should have applied to the university in Linconwood." My joy evaporated. I pushed him, "Orion, you don't understand anything! I hate you!"
We were in a cold war for several days after that. He didn't try to coax me as he usually did. Unaware that he had been called away by my adoptive father for an internship at the company, I sulked and went to stay at a friend's house. What should have been the happiest summer break of my high school years was marred by this rift between us.
It wasn't until a certain incident that I couldn't hold back my feelings any longer. It was the start of the university semester, and senior students were assigned to welcome the freshmen. Orion was already the student council president. I was about to wave to him excitedly when I saw him surrounded by a group of girls. Some even boldly asked for his phone number.
Our eyes met briefly in the crowd. Jealousy consumed me, and I turned away. I wandered around for a while, but he didn't follow. I felt utterly miserable. I called him, my voice choked with tears, "Orion, are you that busy? You only greet others, not your own sister."
He finally remembered me. "Aria, where are you? I'll come find you now."
A short while later, we met by the artificial rock garden on campus. I couldn't bear it anymore. I was afraid that if I waited any longer, he would be snatched away by another girl.
When Orion anxiously found me, I grabbed his hand. "Orion, I don't want you to interact with those girls, and I don't want you to give them your number. Orion, I like you. You're mine!"
Orion stared at me, stunned, then pulled his hand away in a panic. "Aria, I'll pretend I never heard that. I only see you as my sister. You'd better calm down."
He turned away coldly. Tears streamed down my face as I watched him, crying out, "No, Orion, even if you reject me, I still like you."
He used to be so tenderhearted toward me, unable to bear seeing me shed a single tear. As he walked away, I intentionally cried louder, but he didn't look back.
From that day on, he avoided me and even started living on campus. He always made excuses when I called or texted him.
Then came the weekend, our family's regular dinner day. I hadn't seen Orion face-to-face since my confession. I planned to wait until after dinner, when the atmosphere was more relaxed, to talk to him again.
But what I saw instead was him entering the house, arm in arm with a beautiful, unfamiliar girl. The girl greeted my adoptive parents warmly, "Mrs. Kane, Mr. Kane, nice to meet you!"
My adoptive parents greeted her with smiles. "Mia, come in and sit down. Asen, you're dating Mia? Why didn't you tell us first?"
Mia White looked shyly at Orion. "Mrs. Kane, Asen and I wanted to make it official today."
I froze as if plunged into an icy abyss. My body trembled, but my gaze remained fixed on him. My lips moved, my voice barely a whisper, "Orion, who is she?" I hoped it was all a dream, an illusion.
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