Broken Links, Eternal Departure

Just before bedtime, my mom came into my room.

She told me she'd met Jane today, and with a sigh, she said how pitiful Jane seemed, wanting to see him, but his father wouldn't let her.

Then she asked, "Why hasn't David come by to pick you up lately? Are you two in a cold war?"

"No."

"Then bring him over tomorrow. Jane asked me to tell him..."

"No way. I've cut ties with him."

I interrupted her, not even lifting my eyelids.

"Why? Haven't you liked him for so long..." My mom scrutinized me, trying to see through my expression.

I took a slow sip of milk and replied, "That was before. I don't like him anymore."

She cautiously probed, "Did he fall for someone else?"

Applying a face mask, I said, "Yeah, they're acting like they're in a romance drama now. All our classmates are shipping them. We shouldn't interrupt."

There was a faint trace of bitterness in my tone.

They love their little soap opera. I just don't want to get pulled into it. I don't have the time to play along.

As soon as I entered the classroom in the morning, I saw Diana sobbing on her desk.

My deskmate informed me, "People at school are saying she had a bad reputation at her previous school, changing boyfriends constantly. Now, she comes here pretending to be this innocent girl and has latched onto David."

I commented calmly, "If you've done nothing wrong, you don't fear the knock on the door."

I wasn't loud, but it was just enough for Diana to hear.

She reacted as if someone had exposed her secret and snapped, "Gloria, I know you hate me for 'stealing' David, but you can't spread rumors about me!"

She looked pitiful and aggrieved.

David approached, coldly ordering me, "Apologize to her."

Pretending not to hear, I picked up my pen, read my book and took notes.

The next moment, David threw my book aside, overturning my desk.