At that Time, I Thought that True Love was Invincible

Back in bed, I stared blankly at the ceiling.

Half-asleep, half-awake, I found myself back in the summer when I was eighteen. The cicadas buzzed loudly, an annoying but unavoidable sound in the heat.

That was the first time I met Liam, appearing in front of him in a very embarrassed way.

"Hello, everyone, I'm Liam. Today's broadcast will feature a special presentation from me..."

Liam's voice echoed through the school speakers, and the girls in my class gathered together, chattering about him. Listening to his voice, I blushed unconsciously, not even realizing when I had scribbled his name onto my notebook.

He was the school's star—top of the class, handsome, and kind. No one could resist being drawn to him.

I was no different, secretly admiring him as my idol. But that innocent admiration became the reason I was bullied.

"Oh, look! Isn't that our class's little pock-marked girl, and she's crushing on the great Liam too!"

I clutched my faded school uniform tightly, feeling a mix of shame, helplessness, and fear, all magnified in that moment.

In the face of Joanna's taunts, I chose to ignore her.

But she, as if finding some new source of amusement, yanked me up from my seat. Standing in front of me, her presence overwhelmed me. I tried to escape, using the excuse that a teacher was calling for me. She smiled sweetly, stepping aside as if to let me pass.

But just as I turned, she pushed me from behind, and I fell hard onto the ground.

The other students gathered around, whispering and giggling, their mocking eyes and glee bearing down on me.

That was when Liam appeared.

He shoved those bullies aside and draped his jacket over my shoulders. Under the gaze of everyone, he led me away.

Later, I don't know what he did, but somehow, we ended up as desk mates. I still remember the day he smiled at me and extended his hand,

"Hello, Nina. I'm Liam. Looks like we'll be sitting together from now on."

The sunlight bathed him in a golden glow—it was such a beautiful sight.

And just like that, we became desk mates for two years. For two years, he protected me.

When we applied for college, I chose the same university as him. At freshman orientation, even among the crowd, he instantly recognized me.

With the same bright smile, he walked over, just like when we were eighteen, and extended his hand again, "Hello, Nina. We'll be together for the next four years. Let's take care of each other."