To Be the Perfect Childhood Friend - Chapter 4

“Why?”

The students who had encircled them suddenly urged Anita to accept him, raising their voices. Countless eyes were pressuring her. Anita held onto the book as if it were a lifeline.

“We’re not even close.”

“You’ll get to know me from now on.”

Judging by the way he was holding back, he wasn’t going to give up easily. As Anita scanned the crowd to find an escape, her gaze froze for a moment. There was a familiar face in the crowd.

Rutger, standing with his arms crossed and the corner of his mouth upturned in a pout, suddenly spoke.

“You two look good together. Good luck.”

Anita jumped to her feet, but the man in front of her held her back, squeezing her hand gently.

“He says we look good together, too. What do you think?”

“I said no!”

Anita forcefully pulled her hand away. She knew she’d regret it if she ran, Anita couldn’t bear to stay in that place. Behind her, a soft voice called out.

“What’s wrong?”

“She’s just a little sensitive.”

***

Rutger’s face was nowhere to be seen, though the situation was similar. A little relieved, Anita chose her words of rejection.

“What’s this guy’s deal?”

Anita’s body stiffened at the sudden voice.

“What? Who are you calling a ‘guy’?”

The man stood up, glaring, but realizing his nose barely reached Rutger’s chin, he shrank a bit.

“Tell me, Anita. Do you know each other?”

Though the words were directed at Anita, his gaze was fixed on the man. His eyes scanned from the man’s feet to his head, ending with a familiar smirk. Seeing this, the man started to stammer.

“No.”

“You don’t know, will you get out of here?”

Hesitant and perhaps feeling his pride wounded, the man glared at Rutger. Anita grabbed her throbbing head and stood up from the bench.

“I’m sorry. I have someone I like, so it wouldn’t work. You’ll find someone better, too.”

Anita’s rehearsed refusal left her gaze and landed away from the man.

She fixed her eyes on the ground instead of looking at Rutger.

“Thank you.”

“Are you thanking me? Why aren’t you looking at me?”

He asked with a faint hint of laughter in his voice. Unfortunately, Anita wasn’t in the mood for jokes, nor was she thankful. Rutger was the one who had intervened in a situation she could handle herself, and he was the one she wanted to avoid more than that man.

She was going to say a proper goodbye and leave, but he stood in her way like a man stuck with glue.

“I’m leaving. I’m tired.”

“I’ll walk you to your dorm.”

“I’ll go alone.”

“Who’s the person you like?”

“…No one. I’m just making stuff up.”

“You’re lying.”

Please, just leave. Anita looks away, but his blue gaze follows her steadily. Feeling like her mind was being dissected piece by piece, Anita took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry, can you get me a sandwich? I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

Anita pointed to the sandwich, which was now lying in the dirt. Rutger smirked. As if he knew all her tricks, but he was falling for them.

“I’ll be right back. Sit down and get some rest.”

Once Rutger vanished from her sight, Anita sprinted in the opposite direction. If she didn’t do something like this, she felt like she would go crazy with frustration.

After a while of running, Anita came to a suspicious building. Normally, she wouldn’t have thought to go inside, but right now she needed a place to hide. Somewhere that wasn’t open and surrounded.

Luckily, the building’s door wasn’t locked. Anita pushed open the door, her hand slipping and the door slammed shut behind her.

The room was dark with no windows. Anita moved slowly, searching for a candle or something.