Before You Forget Me

"Promise me... no matter what happens, you'll never forget me." The little boy smiled as he held out his pinky finger beneath the pouring rain. Without hesitation, the little girl linked her finger with his. "I promise," she whispered. He smiled one last time before letting go of her hand and disappearing into the crowd. That was the last day Iris Hart ever saw Ethan Vale. Eight years later... "Iris! You're going to be late!" Her best friend, Chloe, waved from the university gate. "I'm coming!" Iris hurried across the campus, her heart pounding for a reason that had nothing to do with being late. Today was the first day of the new semester, and today Ethan was finally coming back. For five years, she had waited for this moment. She had imagined every possible reunion. Maybe he would smile. Maybe he would tease her for being so emotional. Maybe he still remembered the promise they made as children. A black luxury car stopped in front of the university. Students immediately gathered around. "That's Ethan Vale!" "I heard his family owns Vale Group." "He's even more handsome than the photos." Iris smiled. "It's really him..." She took a deep breath and slowly walked toward him. "Ethan..." He turned around. Their eyes met. For a brief second, Iris felt as though the whole world had stopped. She smiled through the tears gathering in her eyes. "You came back." Ethan looked at her quietly. There was no warmth in his expression. No surprise. No happiness. Only confusion. "I'm sorry," he said politely. "Have we met before?" Iris laughed nervously. "Stop joking." "I'm serious. I don't know who you are." Her smile slowly disappeared. She searched his eyes, hoping to find even the smallest sign that he was teasing her. There was none. The boy who had once promised never to forget her... was looking at her as though she had never existed.