20
The next time I saw Peter was at Ethan’s birthday party. I was his girlfriend then, attending as his plus–one. He introduced me to his friends. I was shy and insecure, afraid they’d judge me. But to my surprise, they were really
nice to me.
When Peter came, I greeted him.“Hello, you must be Peter.”
Peter’s face tightened. He stared at me intently.“You called me what?”
I was flustered, thinking I’d made a mistake. I looked helplessly at Ethan.
He
came
to
my
side,
holding
my
hand
and
shielding
me.“Peter,
don’t
scare
her.”
Peter gave me one last intense look before turning away.
As soon Ethan ruffled my hair.“It’s not your fault. Peter’s kind of aloof.”
as he left, I tugged at Ethan’s sleeve, feeling downcast.“Did I say something wrong?”
Peter heard that and left early. From that day on, I was terrified of him. Whenever Ethan took me out, I’d check if Peter would be there. If he was, I’d avoid it.
I had thought that I wouldn’t meet Peter again. Then, at a campus art performance, I was looking for Ethan when I saw a man in a black suit standing under a streetlight.
I approached him, playfully hooking my finger around his.“Ethan, got you!”
As my finger touched his, he seemed to stiffen. I realized I had the wrong guy and quickly pulled my hand away. Peter turned.
My breath hitched. It was him!
I mistook
you
for someone else.”
Flustered, I stammered, “I… I’m sorry. Like a frightened rabbit, I tried to escape, but he pulled me back. My back felt cold; I apologized profusely. Peter’s gaze darkened. He stared at me for a long time, then his cold fingers removed my hearing aid.
He whispered something in my ear. I couldn’t hear it, so I just stared at him blankly. I saw an unreadable emotion in his eyes. He placed the hearing aid in my hand and turned away.
Concerned about Ethan and Peter’s friendship, I didn’t tell Ethan about it. After that, whenever I saw Peter, I fled. I was really happy when I heard he went abroad.
Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains. I woke up with shock. So, that little boy was Peter. I messaged Summer, but she didn’t reply; she was probably busy. Putting those thoughts aside, I went to my studio. I probably didn’t get under the covers last night. I woke up with a high fever, my head throbbing, my vision blurry.
far, and I took a cab to the hospital, realizing only upon arrival that it was the hospital where Ethan used to work. I
the
hospital nearest considered going
even but back,
was
I
was too
ill.
I checked my phone; Ethan wasn’t working today. Relieved, I went inside. But at the entrance, I saw Ethan, someone I hadn’t seen in ages.
