He Betrayed Me, I Took My Junior

Chapter 3

He walked over and waved the backpack in his hand.

"Sari, teach me to skate," he said simply.

The nickname caught me off guard. He used to call me Sarah.

But Harvey's expression was as casual as ever, so I didn't say anything.

He wasn't a fast learner, but he was incredibly persistent about skating. True to my principle of finishing what I started, I often gave him private lessons. What Harvey called "practicing" was really just me holding his hand and guiding him.

When we reached the open practice area, he opened his backpack and pulled out two pairs of skates. Then, he naturally knelt down to put mine on for me.

I felt a little uncomfortable. I shifted my ankle in his grasp, about to say something, but Harvey looked up first.

"What's wrong?"

His eyes were clear, completely free of any ulterior motives.

'I'm just overthinking things.'

After putting on my skates, Harvey put on his own. He then extended his right hand to me. His calm, relaxed expression made him look anything but a beginner.

Pushing down the strange flutter in my chest, I placed my hand in his. Harvey closed his fingers around mine, a bright smile on his lips.

"Teach me, Sarah," he said.

He said it so naturally, his voice carrying that easy, lighthearted youthfulness. But I found it incredibly charming.

We had practiced together so many times before, yet I'd never felt a spark.

When I came back to my senses, I was already leading Harvey along the campus track. The summer breeze brushed past my ears. I skated faster and faster, as if I could leave all my worries behind.

The truth was, I had clinical depression. At my worst, I even thought about suicide. Austin helped me get through the darkest times. He always knew about my condition, which was why he was so sure I could never leave him.

But really? He was just the wrong person who showed up at the right time. It might be a little hard, but I could get over him.

Out of nowhere, it started to rain, quickly turning into a heavy downpour. Harvey grabbed my hand, and we ran, soon finding shelter in a building on campus. But we were already soaked through.

It was the weekend, and with the heavy rain, the hallways were empty. Just as I was about to speak, Harvey said, "Sari, wait here for me."

With that, he dashed back out into the rain. I didn't get a chance to ask where he was going, but knowing he had a reason, I stayed put.

Before long, two figures emerged from the rain. They looked familiar. As they got closer, I recognized them: Austin and Cindy.

They were sharing an umbrella. To stay dry, Austin held it with one hand while keeping Cindy tightly pressed against his side with the other. Even on this gloomy day, they were laughing and chatting.

Naturally, they spotted me, too.

"Well, well, well, what a tragic sight," Austin said. "No umbrella, and no one to pick you up, huh?"

Standing there completely drenched, I suppose I did look pretty pathetic. Before I could respond, Cindy made a show of offering me her umbrella.

"Here, Sarah, take the umbrella," she said, feigning kindness. "Someone will bring us another one soon anyway."

On her outstretched arm were several prominent hickeys. It was obvious how intense things had been between them a few days ago.

As I stared, Cindy swayed slightly, as if she couldn't stand on her own, and fell back into Austin's arms. She looked up at him with a pout. "This is all your fault."

Austin wrapped his arms around her and let out a low chuckle.

I knew they were putting on a show for me. Cindy was desperate to prove how special she was to Austin, and Austin wanted to prove that my decision the other day had been a mistake.

His eyes fell on me again. As if he could read my mind, he said with absolute certainty, "Are you jealous? Apologize to me. Admit you shouldn't have slapped me, and I might consider forgiving you."