Never Loved Forever

Chapter 2

The towering camphor trees, bustling streets, hurried pedestrians, blaring horns, and magnificent high-rise buildings - all of these elements created a vibrant and bustling cityscape.

In this city, dawn marked the beginning of prosperity, with no tranquility, only tension.

Skyler strolled leisurely, her steps relaxed, but she couldn't help but feel the oppressive atmosphere in the air, causing her eyebrows to furrow involuntarily.

Everything here was unfamiliar to her. Leaving the small town where she had lived for over ten years, Skyler couldn't help but feel out of place on this early morning.

Today was her first day of enrollment at California University, the country's top design institution! She had worked hard to finally get accepted.

“Joshua, I keep my promise and got in!! Joshua, California University, are you there? Waiting for me?”Skyler thought.

Thinking about the agreement they made three years ago, a smile of happiness immediately appeared on Skyler's face. She brushed away any gloominess and became lively and excited. Her footsteps quickened as she disappeared into the bustling crowd. The only difference was the increasingly joyful smile on her face, adding a touch of warmth to the morning.

The first day of school was always particularly lively. New students continuously poured into the vast campus, filled with excitement as they admired California's unique scale. The long tree-lined avenue was filled with osmanthus trees; the creatively designed teaching buildings exuded a simple design concept with a strong artistic atmosphere; a clear artificial river ran through it, with the lake's transparent water covered in lotus leaves, and a few scattered lotus blossoms blooming in this early autumn.

Passing through the garden, the new students' teaching building came into view. The electronic screen in the lobby displayed the floors of each class, and below it was this year's list of new students. Finally seeing what she was looking for, Skyler hurriedly rushed forward, ignoring the curious gazes from the people around her.

She held her breath as she stood in front of the new student list, carefully searching for that familiar name - the name that had accompanied her in her dreams for the past three years. With excited and clear eyes, she scrolled through the new student list from beginning to end countless times, but all she got in return was disappointment that grew stronger each time.

Nothing! Why not here... We promised not to stand each other up!

Did he forget? Did he forget about Skyler from the small town after returning to the big city? Did he forget about the promise he made? Skyler still vividly remembered the resolute gaze of the boy under the blood-red sunset, his fair pinky finger, and his solemn vow...

Why did he forget? Why didn't he keep the promise...

A slight headache came over her, and she shook her head, walking towards her new class with despair.

Here it came again. Even Skyler herself had forgotten when she started having this headache problem. Every time she used her brain, it hurt badly.

Skyler lowered her head, the joy that had filled her heart just moments ago had disappeared completely, replaced by an unprecedented sense of loss.

“Without Joshua in California, does it still hold any meaning for her? Does her three years of hard work still hold any meaning? No, it's impossible. Joshua wouldn't lie, he wouldn't forget...”

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize how far she had walked. It felt like only a moment had passed when Skyler snapped back to reality and found herself already passed her classroom. She pouted and resignedly turned back.

Taking a deep breath, Skyler told herself deep down: “I must trust Joshua, he must have been delayed by something, maybe there will be a transfer student in a few days, maybe I didn't see the name clearly, maybe... anyway, he will come, because he said so... no matter what!”

Thinking this way, she felt a little better. She forced a smile, stepped into the classroom, and walked alone, carrying her backpack, searching for an empty seat.

Suddenly... her eyes lit up, and she stood there stunned as if struck by lightning.

She reached out her hand, rubbed her eyes hard, and then widened her eyes in disbelief, continuing to gaze over.

Through the layers of people in the classroom, she saw that boy over there. Ignoring the curious gazes around him, he still lazily leaned on his hand, staring at the grape trellis outside the window. The distinct contours of his face, beautiful big eyes, slightly pursed lips, made him equally charming even with an impatient expression.

For a long, long time, Skyler suddenly smiled happily. This smile was like the occasional dazzling sun in autumn, warm in a different way.

It's Joshua! The face that she had imagined for three years in her mind, she would never forget. She just knew he would come, he must come.

“But why did Joshua choose the art department instead of fashion design? Is it because of her?”

Lost in thought, a deep voice suddenly sounded behind her, sounding solemn.

"Miss, please take your seat. It's time for class!"

Skyler stiffly turned her head, and the first thing that caught her eye was a pair of oversized, thick black-framed glasses. She instinctively took a few steps back, finally realizing what she was looking at.

"Miss, it's time for class!"

Before she could be surprised for too long, a sound erupted from the middle-aged man's mouth, filled with pent-up anger. Under the thick lenses, his almost negligible eyes were now emitting a dangerous warning.

So it was the teacher!

She quickly turned around, amid a wave of laughter, desperately hanging her head and making her way to her seat. Oh my god, how embarrassing!

After sitting down, Skyler slowly lifted her head and looked around, her mind wandering. She looked at Joshua, who was sitting diagonally across from her, with a dazed expression, silly and smiling.

He still looked handsome, just like before, making people blush with just one glance. However, the smile that always hung on his lips was nowhere to be seen, making Skyler feel unfamiliar.

"Jason."

Skyler heard the teacher call out from the podium, and then, the boy she had been staring at for a long time suddenly stood up and whispered, "Here!"

"Jason?!" With just a single syllable, Skyler was stunned, and her surprised exclamation unconsciously slipped out.

The slightly raised tone at the end attracted many curious glances, including his...

Jason turned his head, just a quick glance, expressionless to the point of not showing any emotions, but it was enough to make Skyler's heart race, her face flush, her lips slightly parted, and she forgot to react.

However, in just a few seconds, the cold and unfamiliar gaze made Skyler's heart sink heavily. There was no surprise, no shock, no excitement, no thrill, none of the various reunion scenes she had imagined. Such a dull gaze, so dull that it felt like she was a complete stranger.

Jason... did he change his name?

Skyler speculated, for a long, long time, just staring at that back, lost in thought.

In the corner of his eye, Jason could still feel the burning gaze coming from behind, making him uncomfortable. He furrowed his brows and continued to stare blankly out of the window. The osmanthus fragrance, the grape arbor, the gentle breeze, through the large window frame, the scenery looked like a painting, warm and beautiful... just like her... still the California in his memories, still the usual scenery, but unfortunately, on the tree-lined path under the setting sun, only his own figure would be dragged along from now on.

Loneliness, spreading, incessant.