Despite usually opposing their relationship, I said it anyway—but there was something unreadable in Melanie's eyes.
Our classmates around us also widened their eyes, clearly surprised by my answer.
Melanie's expression darkened instantly. As if trying to maintain her dignity, she said, "I know him. Edison always says the opposite of what he means. He's been stubborn since we were kids."
I simply smiled and said nothing more.
When school ended that afternoon, I took the love letter she had given me and went to find Fred. Just as I was about to leave, she grabbed my arm and asked, "You're really going?"
I nodded without hesitation. Wasn't this exactly what she wanted?
She blinked in surprise. A hint of disappointment flashed across her face, but she still let go of me.
I successfully handed the envelope to Fred, completing what I considered a task off my list.
I could still remember clearly what happened in my previous life. I had kept the letter to myself, and when Melanie found out, she lashed out at me.
"Edison! How could you be so cruel?" she had said.
She pointed at Fred, who was playing basketball downstairs. At that moment, a very pretty lady walked over and handed him a bottle of water.
He opened it, tilted his head back, and drank in large gulps.
Bathed in sunlight, with sweat sliding down his face, he looked like a carefree young man full of energy.
Then he smiled, patted the young lady's head, and went back to playing basketball.
Tears welled up in Melanie's eyes as she punched me hard, crying, "It's all your fault! He has a girlfriend now!"
I endured both physical and emotional pain, but I never regretted it. However, after that incident, Melanie deliberately distanced herself from me.
Even though we were deskmates, she never spoke to me again.
Our families lived next door, but she no longer walked home with me after school.
Ultimately, we became strangers who knew each other too well.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and the monthly exam results were released.
To my surprise, I ranked first in the entire grade. I had always placed second, with Melanie holding first place. But this time, she had dropped beyond 50th place.
I felt it was necessary to talk to her.
When I offered to help her catch up, she immediately snapped at me. "Are you doing this on purpose? What's the point of showing off your stupid grades, Edison?"
I tried to reason with her. "Mel, I don't care whether you're dating or not, but you shouldn't give up on your studies."
I wasn't sure if she even heard me. She grabbed her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and said coldly, "Stop acting so superior."
Then, she walked toward the classroom door.
I looked up and saw Fred waiting there. He naturally took Melanie's backpack from her and slung it over his own shoulder.
They left amid laughter and chatter, which slowly dissolved into the distance. In the end, only I was left in the silence.
A few days later, Melanie's mother, Ms. Eliza Ross, paid us a visit.
While my parents were busy cooking, she pulled me aside and asked, "Ed, have you and Mel been arguing lately? She hasn't mentioned you in a long time."
I shook my head.
Hearing that, her furrowed brows slowly eased.
Before she left, she asked me for a favor. "Ed, Mel has been leaving early every morning and skipping breakfast. Could you please look after her for me?"
I nodded.
From then on, I brought two breakfasts to school every morning.
When Melanie saw the egg sandwich and milk on her desk, she pushed them aside.
After morning self-study, she tossed them straight into the trash.
The next day, I repeated the same routine, and she did too.
On the third day, she finally snapped.
"Edison! I know you like me, but can you stop this? I hate you!"
A strange tightness rose in my chest, but no tears came, no matter how hard I tried.
Vivian Moore, seated in front of me, sneered along with Melanie.
"Some people really don't know their place, blindly chasing someone who doesn't want them at all."
After that, everyone started calling me Melanie's lapdog.
I didn't care.
Every morning, I still brought her different breakfasts, just to keep my promise to Ms. Ross.
