Chapter 2: Guilt and Ghosts in Daylight

I gave in and got into Nathan’s car.

His Tesla was spotless, even the dashboard smelled faintly of cologne and leather. The only sound was the soft thump of some indie band on the speakers—Nathan didn’t seem like the type to make small talk. We were still a ways from the campus gate when I asked him to stop: "I can get off here."

His car was way too flashy.

Nathan glanced at me, didn’t say a word, and pulled over.

Just as I was getting out, he reminded me: "Pull up your collar."

I looked down and immediately turned bright red—there were several obvious red marks under my collarbone. Heat shot up my neck. I fumbled with my collar, wishing the ground would swallow me.

"Oh, oh, I’ll—I’ll go now."

I scrambled out of the car and dashed toward the campus gate, not daring to look back. Cold January air bit my cheeks, but embarrassment burned hotter.

Of all people, I ran straight into Chris Sanders and Jamie Lee.

The two of them were holding hands, looking extra close. I don’t know what Chris just said, but Jamie hit him, then laughed and leaned against him. It was a rom-com scene, except I wasn’t the star.

As soon as they saw me, Chris’s expression turned frosty.

Jamie let out a nervous "oh!" then mustered her courage and stepped forward:

"Aubrey, please don’t misunderstand. Chris and I really didn’t mean to hurt you..."

I was worried Nathan might still be nearby—how embarrassing would it be if he saw this? I waved it off: "It’s fine, it’s all in the past."

Jamie looked surprised, as if she hadn’t expected me to react so calmly.

Chris frowned, glanced behind me, then said, his voice sharp: "Seriously, Aubrey? Even after all this, you gotta make a scene?"

Ugh.

What did I do?

And what right do you have to look down on me?

I didn’t want to make a scene, so I turned to leave.

But just as I rounded a corner, a cramp twisted through me, sharp and mean, and for a second all I could focus on was the cold tile pressing into my palms. Gritting my teeth, I leaned against the wall and slowly squatted down. The world spun a little, and I wished I’d grabbed coffee to mask how wiped I was.

So...painful. No wonder I lost it yesterday—women really are ruled by hormones their whole lives.

Suddenly my phone buzzed. It was a text from Nathan:

"Ordered you some hangover soup—should be there soon. 🍲 –N"

I couldn’t even remember when I’d added him. Back then, whenever Tanya had something she didn’t dare tell her parents, she’d always go to her brother, so I added him too. Probably during some group project meltdown sophomore year.

But now, seeing his name felt completely different.

With trembling hands—I blocked him before I could even catch my breath.

After finally getting through the pain, I rushed back to the dorm.

Just as I finished tidying up, Tanya called.

"Aubrey, I’m downstairs at your dorm."

At that moment, I really didn’t want to face Tanya, but since she was already here, I had no choice but to go down. I grabbed my puffy jacket, ran my hands through my hair, and plastered on my best fake smile.

As soon as she saw me, Tanya exclaimed:

"Wow, why do you look so weak? What did you do yesterday?"

Me: "..."

She frowned: "It’s just a breakup, is it really that bad?"

Looks like she doesn’t know anything.

I secretly let out a sigh of relief, but then she pulled out her phone:

"Wait, let me call my brother and ask how he looked after you."