Today was my last exam.
Everyone around me seemed normal—laughing, revising, talking—but something inside me felt different. A strange heaviness sat in my chest. Maybe it was the thought that after today, everything would change. The people I saw every day… my friends… maybe I wouldn't see them like this again.
We had laughed together, teased each other, made countless memories. And yet, I never realized how important those moments were—until now.
I took a deep breath and shook my head.
Focus, Shin Yu. It's just an exam.
"Grandpa," I called softly, picking up my bag, "can you drop me at school today?"
He looked up at me with a warm smile. "Of course. Which subject is it?"
"Maths."
"Hmm," he nodded thoughtfully. "Then remember—read every question carefully. Don't rush. Your mind works best when you stay calm."
I gave a small smile. "I will… but can we go a little faster? I'm getting late."
He chuckled. "Alright, alright."
Ten minutes later, the school gate stood in front of me.
"Go on," Grandpa said gently. "Do your best."
"I will. Thank you, Grandpa."
As I stepped inside, adjusting the strap of my bag, I noticed Min running toward me, her expression unusually serious.
"Hey… Shin Yu," she said, slightly out of breath. "Do you know what Tian has been saying about you?"
My brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Her hesitation made my heart tighten.
"He's been telling people… that you're just a foolish girl," she said quietly. "That you liked him, but he never loved you."
For a moment, I thought I heard her wrong.
"…What?"
Min swallowed. "He said you were just time pass for him. And… that you don't even have character."
The words didn't hit me all at once. They came slowly… sinking in, piece by piece—until they hurt.
"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "That's not true. I told him everything clearly. He understood…"
But even as I spoke, doubt crept in.
A sharp pain spread through my chest.
I clenched my fists. "Where is he?"
Min looked at me, worried. "Shin Yu… are you sure—"
"I need to hear it from him."
We found Tian near the corridor, casually talking to his friends as if nothing had happened.
As if I meant nothing.
I walked straight toward him, my heartbeat loud in my ears.
"What have you been saying about me?" I asked, my voice steadier than I felt. "What kind of person are you?"
He turned, slightly annoyed, then let out a careless laugh.
"Why are you making a scene?" he said. "Just go away."
Something inside me cracked.
"You said I was foolish? That I had no character?" My voice trembled now. "Tell me—was everything between us a lie?"
He looked at me coldly.
"You really thought I loved you?" he said bluntly. "That was your mistake."
The world around me seemed to go silent.
"I never loved you," he continued. "I was just bored. You were there, so I pretended. That's all."
Each word felt like a blade.
"I don't want to talk to you anymore," he added, turning away. "So just leave."
For a second, I couldn't move.
My throat burned, my eyes stung—but I refused to let the tears fall in front of him.
I took a step back.
"…Fine," I said quietly. "I don't want to talk to you either."
I looked at him one last time.
"Cheater."
"Yu, wait—" Li Xing called from behind me, but I didn't stop.
I walked as fast as I could until the noise of the corridor faded and I finally found myself alone.
Only then did the tears fall.
"Why…?" I whispered to myself. "How could he say those things… about me?"
The pain wasn't just heartbreak.
It was humiliation. Betrayal. Confusion.
Li Xing caught up to me, his voice softer now. "Yu… don't let his words break you."
I wiped my tears quickly, trying to compose myself.
"He's not worth it," he continued. "People like him don't understand what they lose."
I let out a shaky breath. "It still hurts…"
"I know," he said gently. "But listen to me—this isn't the end of your story."
I looked at him.
"You're talented. You're strong. You have a future far bigger than someone who only wanted time pass," he said firmly. "Don't let one person decide your worth."
His words settled deep inside me.
Slowly, I straightened.
"You're right," I said, my voice steadier now. "I won't let this break me."
A new determination rose within me, stronger than the pain.
"From now on, I'll focus on myself. I'll study hard… I'll build my own future."
I paused, then added quietly,
"And I'll never let anyone treat me like that again."