Chapter 9
611words
As I sat in the parents' section, a handsome student approached and poured us some water. He then took the empty seat beside me and raised an eyebrow.
"So, how did you and Jared get together? He's been bragging about how pretty his girlfriend is."
His words nearly made me choke on my water. "Did he really say that?" I questioned.
"Yeah, he was just talking about it. He can’t stop smiling whenever he mentions you."
'Since when had I become his girlfriend?' I mused.
Just then, Jared came up from behind and clapped the guy on the shoulder. The guy quickly scooted over, giving Jared a knowing look as he departed.
Jared then sat down next to me. "Did that guy talk to you? He's a playboy. He probably just wanted to hit on you because you’re pretty. Don’t mind him."
Hearing his words, I looked at him in confusion and said, "Jared, Rachel is treating you to dinner tonight, but I’m not going. I’ll call a cab for you later," I whispered, adding quietly, "Seriously, I don’t want to be accused of seducing a minor."
…
After the ceremony, Jared and I went our separate ways.
On the bus ride home, the sunlight filtered through the window, casting mottled shadows around me.
I was unsure of my feelings.
Perhaps driven by insecurities, I dreaded the idea of those playful comments weaving into the fabric of my life. I feared that those perfect moments could dissolve just as quickly as they had appeared.
If that was the case, I preferred they never began at all.
Upon arriving home, I reflexively opened the video app.
Surprisingly, the content I posted the day before hadn't been reported and had amassed millions of views.
It attracted numerous likes, comments, and some quality advertising offers. Yet, despite this unexpected success, I didn’t feel the joy I had anticipated.
When I scrolled through the comments, they were littered with sexual innuendos and explicit suggestions.
Overwhelmed, I ended up downing three bottles of alcohol, and soon my head began to spin.
Desperate for a sounding board, I called Rachel to share my concerns. She promised to come over shortly.
As the doorbell chimed, my emotions spilled over. I flung open the door, wailing, and threw myself into the arms of the visitor, my tears staining their shirt.
But something felt wrong. Since when did Rachel develop such muscular and strong arms?
Blinking through my tears, I looked up with a pitiful expression, only to see Jared standing there.
I stumbled backward, whether from drunkenness or dizziness, I wasn't sure.
In a swift motion, Jared caught me, wrapping his arms around my waist and drawing me into a comforting embrace as he gently patted my back.
Regaining my senses, I pushed him away forcefully.
"What are you doing here?" I demanded.
He guided me to the sofa and sat close, his hand resting on my shoulder as he leaned in.
"Yvette, I need to ask you something. You like me, don't you?"
Perhaps it was the alcohol that emboldened me, but I responded by boldly kissing Jared on the lips.
At that moment, it felt harmless—a drunken act free of consequences. Yet, I regretted it as soon as it happened.
His reaction was immediate; one hand steadied me while the other began to unbutton my shirt.
Panic surged through me, but his grip was firm.
"Where do you think you're going, Yvette? I'm in this state because of you." His voice was low and close, his breath warm against my ear as he nibbled it gently. "Also, I'm an adult now."
