Chapter 2
Under the dim light, Norah was practically pasting herself to Antonio.
The two kept their heads low and whispered to each other. Antonio was smiling.
His fingers were fiddling with a strand of Norah’s hair.
People left them alone as if it was a common agreement.
My heart broke a little again. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
Antonio promised me repeatedly that he only saw Norah as a good friend.
I realized that I was the only fool who believed him.
Antonio chose to dare and had to kiss a female through a card.
He glanced at Norah and the crowd cheered.
“Sit on his lap. Sit on his lap.”
Antonio said nothing to stop them and arched an eyebrow.
Norah obediently sat on his lap right away, acting nothing like the tomboy she usually was.
She even wrapped her arms around Antonio’s neck.
As the crowd cheered, the two kissed with only a card separating their lips.
The kiss needed to last for 30 seconds.
I stared at them the whole time.
As the time was up, Antonio didn’t pull back. He dropped the card and kissed Norah deeply.
The kiss lasted for six minutes.
That was 360 seconds.
I could even see a silver line when they parted.
As I stared at them, I didn’t even blink. My eyes were dry. It hurt, but I couldn’t cry.
Leila shouted my name and I turned to her idly.
“Grace! Grace! Now you know what a cheating bastard Antonio is, right?!”
Leila turned her camera to them.
“I’m not being mean to you. You’re stupidly in love with him. To make you dump him, you have to see it for yourself.”
A lump formed in my throat.
“I know you mean well. Thank you, Leila.”
Leila always asked me to find another man. She insisted that Antonio was a playboy.
It was my fault. I was too stubborn.
“Grace, we’re going to college. You’re going to meet a good man
and have a healthy relationship. Don’t…”
“I know.”
Leila froze.
I smiled.
“Don’t worry. I don’t like him anymore. I’ve made up my mind. I won’t stay in Sheakpool and go to the same college with Antonio.
“I’m going to Paxburg with you.
“But I want to keep it a secret for now. Leila, don’t tell anyone just yet.”
