"Don't you think it's also embarrassing to break up with me in front of everyone? You're really something," I shot back. I was ready to leave, but he grabbed my arm.
At that moment, I wondered if I should have had my eyes checked back then. How had I ever found him appealing?
"That's enough now. You are being rude."

My anger was rising, yet he still clung to my hand stubbornly.
When I turned around, I was taken aback.
Jared was standing at the door, observing the scene.
It had been a year since our last encounter, and he had grown noticeably taller. Even in his school uniform, he looked strikingly handsome. Now, he had witnessed this embarrassing exchange.
Without a word, he walked straight up to me and pulled me aside.
"Yvette, is he the reason why you won't agree to be with me?"

Jared was furious upon hearing that. He turned around and wanted to say something, but I held him back.
"Stay right there," I instructed firmly, then walked over to Nicholas. "Listen closely. I won't get back with you because I hate you. And secondly, he's not a kid. Do you want to stand next to him and compare?" I smiled wryly.
After that, I took Jared's hand, and we left together.
The atmosphere was charged with awkwardness all the way home, so I attempted to break the silence. "You…"

We both started to speak simultaneously, and I gestured for him to go first.
"Yvette, why did you go on a blind date? You're not even that old."
His words left me speechless.
"Rachel told you about this, didn't she? You're still young, so you might not understand even if I explained it to you. But what are you doing here? Did you come here all by yourself?" I asked.
"Didn’t she tell you? My high school is right here. Originally, I was going to stay at her place for the night, but she kicked me out. She told me not to bother her and her boyfriend and sent me to find you," Jared explained.
Hearing his explanation, I almost choked on my saliva.
"Does this mean you're staying at my place tonight? No, I’ll find a hotel for you," I said, pulling out my phone to search for nearby accommodations.
"Are you afraid of me? Or do you just not want to take me in?" he asked.
After some discussion, I finally agreed to take him home.
I kept reminding myself that he was just a kid. Whenever inappropriate thoughts crept in, I pinched myself hard to stop them.
Once we arrived home, I instructed him to shower while I cleaned up.
Luckily, Rachel had left a thick mattress and blanket after she moved out.
After sweeping the floor, I set up a makeshift bed.
Though four of us could technically squeeze onto one bed, two was definitely a no!
Soon, the sound of water stopped, and my heart began to race. I continued to scroll through my phone, but my attention was fixed on the noises coming from the bathroom.
With a click, the bathroom door swung open. I replayed countless scenes from dramas in my mind, picturing the male lead emerging with a towel draped around him, drying his hair.
'No. Even if he did come out like that, how appealing could a high school student really be?' I pondered.
Yet, when he stepped out, I couldn’t help but swallow hard.
'Why isn't he wearing a shirt?' I grumbled to myself.
I tried to act nonchalant and pretended not to notice him. However, I could feel his presence as he walked toward me.
I wasn't sure what to do with myself. Despite myself, I stole a glance.
Seeing his chiseled abs and broad shoulders, I questioned if this was really typical for a guy his age. I swallowed hard once more.