Never Loved Forever

Chapter 6

On a leisurely weekend, the scent wafting through the air was intoxicating.

After waiting so long for the weekend, Skyler could finally do something different. The thought made her excited. She even declined Wendy's invitation to watch Chris play basketball.

Having been in this city for so long, Skyler realized that she hadn't had a chance to go out and explore. Everything here was just as Joshua had described it before. She wanted to go everywhere, see every place that Joshua had mentioned.

Strolling casually along the street, with tall French sycamore trees lining the roadside, Skyler wandered aimlessly. Occasionally, she would pass by couples, and everywhere was filled with an irresistible and heartwarming atmosphere that made her smile.

Standing alone at a street corner, she tilted her head and smiled while watching a heartwarming scene not far away: a girl holding onto a boy, standing in front of an instant photo booth, demanding to take a picture. The boy gently patted her head and nodded. It was so nice, in that instant, to be with the person you love and leave behind the happiest moments. Skyler also wanted to be like that with someone she liked, but... where was the person she liked... as she thought about it, Skyler's gaze gradually dimmed, and she quickly looked away. Suddenly, unintentionally, a familiar figure intruded into her line of sight.

Under the sunlight, wearing a white shirt, with his lips habitually slightly pursed, a smile that seemed like a smirk... it was Jason. Skyler instinctively wanted to call out to him, but when she caught sight of the large bouquet of lilies in his hand, she swallowed her words.

Were those beautiful lilies and the familiar gentle smile meant for Yan Lu? Or someone else? Filled with questions, Skyler couldn't help but secretly follow him.

Passing through several streets, taking a few bus transfers, and going around in circles, when Skyler finally stopped, she was taken aback by the scene in front of her. It was actually a cemetery, with rows of tombstones stretching out before her eyes. Doubts filled her mind as she swallowed nervously.

Jason, not far away, stopped in front of an exquisite grave, bent down to place the bouquet of lilies, and then knelt in front of the tombstone, gently caressing the name engraved on it.

"Eleasya, I've come to see you. School just started a few days ago and I've been really busy, so I'm sorry for the delay. I made it, though. I got into California, but... you're not here anymore. But it's okay, I can carry your heart with me. We'll go to college together, go abroad together, work together, live together... forever together..."

Jason's voice, so pleasant and moving, echoed.

So he came to visit Eleasya. Those gentle smiles and the promises they made... made Skyler feel that every word, every sound, was mocking her. She had persisted for three years, but he only remembered his promise to Eleasya. And she, she was just a passerby, leaving neither a trace nor a photograph.

"Do you remember when we secretly sneaked into California to play? The tree-lined path there is now denser than before, and the music classroom is better equipped, but unfortunately we can no longer listen to you play that song 'Blue Love' there. You said you would play it for me in California..."

Jason casually leaned against the tombstone, absentmindedly tidying the weeds, a smile evident at the corner of his mouth, reaching his eyes.

Deep within everyone's memories, there is always a string that cannot be touched, just a light touch, and it explodes.

Eleasya is Jason's string, even if he tries to suppress it, it still remains fresh. He closed his eyes, as if he could still hear the melodious piano sound flowing from Eleasya's fingertips.

But suddenly, he remembered the slender figure in the classroom, the girl named Skyler, right? Heh... it's her, stirring up his longing for Eleasya, pouring out uncontrollably.

Skyler silently watched, step by step she retreated, she could clearly see the tears in the corner of Jason's eyes, shining dazzlingly in the sunlight. His feelings for Eleasya must be so deep, so deep that it made Skyler's heart tighten and ache along.

She couldn't bear to listen any longer. She turned around and left, making a decision deep in her heart: she would make Jason pull himself together and return to the carefree boy he used to be in the small town, no matter what it takes!

"Favorite color is pink, likes to wear skirts, long hair, loves to smile, loves to drink juice, cute type... um, did I say it right? Is there anything else?" In a delicate notebook, a bunch of random things were written down, and Skyler read them seriously.

Since returning in the afternoon, she hadn't stopped, asking similar questions countless times. Finally, Wendy couldn't help but ask, "Skyler, why do you want to know Eleasya so well?"

"I want to make Jason pull himself together and let him know that Eleasya has never left him!" Skyler put down the notebook, turned her head, and looked at Wendy with a determined gaze.

It's heart-wrenching, but there's no reason to refuse. Wendy stared at her intently for a long time, then shook her head, picked up a pillow from the bed, and sighed, "Alright, do as you wish. But if that guy bullies you again, remember to tell me, I'll go beat him up with Achen!"

"He won't... how could I possibly be bullied..." Skyler's voice became softer and softer as she watched Wendy's twitching face, filled with guilt.

"I can't stand you." Wendy helplessly lay down on the bed.

Skyler shrugged, speechless. Can't stand it? Indeed, even she felt a little unbearable, but she still went ahead, it was a process of pain and happiness. She had forgotten about being jealous of the person in Jason's heart, as long as... she could see his brilliant smile again, she would do anything.

On a clear autumn morning, the leaves still had remnants of dew from the previous night, sparkling and crystal clear. Skyler strolled along the tree-lined path in a pink dress, with an unusually excited Wendy by her side.

"Skyler, here's your breakfast." Seeing the two figures, Chris ran over from a distance and handed them the breakfast he had just bought.

"Thank you, Achen." Skyler smiled as she took it. Since early this morning, her smile had not disappeared from her face.

"Achen, you're being biased. Why does Skyler have breakfast and I don't?" Wendy couldn't miss such a good opportunity to tease, so she jokingly said, pretending to be sour.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't forget about you." Chris said, taking out another breakfast from his bag and handing it to Wendy. Fortunately, he had foresight and knew that she wouldn't let him off so easily.

The three of them played carefree by the avenue, adding a sense of relaxation to this busy morning. The carefree laughter also made many passing students stop and envy them.

At the end, Jason stood there somewhat dazed, looking at the scene in front of him and couldn't help but lose focus.

Is that Eleasya? That dazzling smile under the sunlight, the bouncing figure, it's so much like Eleasya...

After a while, he couldn't help but take a step closer, his breath becoming more and more rapid as the distance shortened. When he was just a step away, the girl's smile suddenly froze, and instantly, the surroundings seemed to become unusually quiet.

Jason licked his lips uneasily and said, "Morning."

"Uh...morning." This abrupt greeting caught Skyler off guard, but luckily Wendy pushed her hard, allowing her to regain her senses and nervously respond.

"You... look beautiful like this." Jason's gaze revealed affection as it wandered over Skyler, but after a moment, he abruptly expressed regret, "It would be even better if you had long hair."

After speaking, he returned to his usual indifference and left, a strong sense of loss enveloping him. She wasn't Eleasya, Eleasya had the flowing long hair that he was attached to, but she didn't, she wasn't Eleasya!

A girl who always made him think of Eleasya, but in the end, she wasn't her.

Behind him, there was still silence. It wasn't until Jason walked further and gradually disappeared around the corner that Wendy woke up from her surprise and pulled Skyler into a loud celebration, shouting "Congratulations."

Yes, she succeeded, she finally made Jason's gaze linger on her. The oblivious Skyler was awakened by Wendy's shout, and the two of them embraced each other and laughed foolishly.

But Chris stood silently, with a smile on his lips that was bittersweet and heart-wrenching.

Since that day, Jason changed. He no longer just stared out the window in a daze.

His gaze would suddenly and unexpectedly turn towards Skyler, staring at her blankly without a word or expression. He watched her playfully laugh and joke with Wendy, watched her quietly sketch design drafts, and even the slightest smile or frown on her face made Jason inexplicably nostalgic, as if they were worlds apart.

Just this small change made Skyler happy, and she smiled every day.

Wendy stood at the classroom door, watching Skyler sitting in her seat with a silly smile, unable to help but let out a soft hum.

"Skyler, hurry up, I'm starving!" Why did she always have such bad luck with people? She had to beg her friend like this just to eat.

"Alright, alright, I have to tidy up first..." After coming back to her senses, Skyler hurriedly lowered her head to hide her embarrassment and earnestly started organizing her things.

"Where are you going?" Jason's voice suddenly floated down from above, still cold as ever.

"Jason?" Skyler stood up, trying to hide her racing heart.

Although Jason's gaze towards her had changed recently, it was still the first time he asked about her whereabouts like this. There was a hint of surprise in Skyler's tone that she couldn't conceal.

"Call me Jason." Without hesitation, Jason blurted out, for no reason other than wanting to hear that name from her mouth. He was sure that her face, filled with a gentle and tender smile, would resemble Eleasya's.

Just as he expected, Skyler was stunned for a moment after hearing his words, blinked her eyes, and timidly murmured, "Jason..."

"Are you going to have lunch?" Jason asked, his gaze dreamy as he looked at the girl in front of him. Seeing her nod, he said something surprising again, "Then let's go together."

Wearing Eleasya's favorite color, her favorite clothes... If this was Skyler's way of attracting him, Jason could only say that she succeeded. He couldn't refuse, he couldn't let go. The longing that she unknowingly stirred up enveloped him, overwhelming and wrapping him tightly. No one would know how difficult it was for him to get through the days without Eleasya.

"Sure, sure!" Before Skyler could react, Wendy had already excitedly shouted on her behalf.

The peculiar gaze flickering in Jason's eyes, Skyler was all too familiar with it. It was the same look Joshua used to give her, and it was the same look Jason had when he looked at Eleasya's tombstone not long ago...

This lunch was not relaxed at all, and the atmosphere remained silent to the point of eeriness.

Jason remained silent, frowning and bowing his head to eat. The atmosphere was exceptionally awkward. Wendy stretched her leg under the table and kicked Chris opposite her, gesturing for him to say something and liven up the situation. However, before Chris could receive the message, Jason suddenly blurted out in a low curse, "It tastes terrible."

In an instant, his remark successfully caught the attention of the other three.

Skyler widened her eyes in disbelief and blurted out, "Terrible! How is that possible?" She had always loved the lunch in California, which was much better than the one she had in high school.

"Don't believe me? Try it yourself." With that, Jason cut a big piece of chicken cutlet and personally brought it to Skyler's lips.

This action stunned everyone.

"Jason..." Skyler exclaimed in surprise.

"Call me Jason!" Jason spoke firmly and without doubt.

"Jason... um..." Taking advantage of Skyler's opening, he stuffed the chicken cutlet into her mouth without any explanation.

Seeing her puffing her cheeks and hesitating, looking like she had something to say, Jason suddenly smiled, unusually gentle. Accompanied by the sunlight outside the window, it seemed as if everything had frozen for a moment, with only Jason shining in front of her.

"Let's go out for dinner tonight."

It was only when Chris's hoarse voice came that Skyler snapped back to reality, dumbfoundedly looking at him. "Huh?"

"Alright, remember to wait for us at the classroom entrance after school!" Not wanting to embarrass his good friend too much and fearing that Skyler might refuse, Wendy quickly accepted Chris's invitation.

"Oh, okay." Finally, Skyler reacted and nodded at Chris with a smile, but couldn't help but ask Jason, "Do you... want to join us?"

"No, I have something to do." Jason refused decisively.

Skyler... made him unable to suppress the desire to get close, yet also made him want to escape. He knew all too well that this was just a hypocritical facade; she was not Eleasya! She only showed him a glimpse of Eleasya's shadow.

Chris raised an eyebrow. This was the first time he decided to take a good look at Jason. He was handsome, always shining wherever he went. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't find the gentleness that Skyler had spoken of in this gloomy boy.

Was this really the Jason that Skyler had been longing for three years? Chris clenched his fists, unable to hide the discomfort in his heart.

Meanwhile, Wendy, who had been silently observing, could only shake her head. She knew she shouldn't have introduced Skyler to Archon.

"What drinks would you like?"

Restaurants during dinner time were always bustling, and after Chris led Skyler to their seats, the friendly waiter asked.

Without much thought, Chris turned his head and said, "Two glasses of cola and one glass of milk." He clearly remembered that during their first meal together, Skyler had mentioned that she only drank milk.

Jason remained silent, frowning and focused on eating, creating an awkward atmosphere. Wendy kicked Chris under the table, urging him to say something to lighten the mood. However, before Chris could receive the message, Jason suddenly muttered, "Give me some juice." Upon hearing this, Skyler hurriedly spoke up.

Seeing Chris's puzzled expression, Wendy couldn't bear it and explained, "It's because of Eleasya, Jason's deceased girlfriend. She liked drinking juice."

This brief answer felt like a stab in Chris's heart, leaving him speechless. He just stared at Skyler, who had been smiling all along, no longer teary-eyed like when they first met. This change startled him.

"Skyler..." Unable to hold back, he finally called out softly.

"Hmm?" Skyler looked up, her eyes wide with confusion.

"Listen to me." He impulsively reached out his hand, much to Wendy's surprise. Crossing the table, he firmly grasped Skyler's shoulder, his eyes filled with compassion and sincerity. "Don't try to be like Eleasya. You are you, Skyler, irreplaceable. You don't need to deliberately imitate anyone."

A warm current surged through Skyler's heart. She was stunned, deeply moved. Suppressing her inner excitement, she smiled foolishly and said, "I just want to make Jason happy. I can only be happy if he is."

This kind of Skyler was helpless, leaving others at a loss. Wendy shrugged at Chris, who could only lower his arm and sit back in his chair, gazing absentmindedly out the window.