Chapter 13
“Mel applied for the exchange student program. She already left for abroad. She should be on the plane by now.”
Elodie’s every word stabbed at Landon’s heart.
“Landon, did you know? For the past two years, Mel has been the unwavering number one student in our department. All the professors in our school absolutely adore her. There was only one spot for the exchange program in the entire department, and the professors gave it to Mel. That’s how outstanding she
is.”
“I only found out a couple of days ago that when her academic advisor first suggested the exchange program, she actually turned it down. The professor couldn’t understand why a perfect, by the book good girl like Mel would pass up such an amazing opportunity. But I know. She did it because she wanted to stay here with you.”
“Going to a top global university on a full scholarship was always Mel’s dream, but she gave it up for you.”
The day Mel turned down the professor was the day after you got into that fight at school. Although Mel never explicitly told me why she gave up on studying abroad, I think, besides you, there’s no one who could make her sacrifice so much. After all, her parents are long gone, too.”
Hearing this, a look of shock appeared on Landon’s face.
The day after the fight at school, wasn’t that the morning after their night together?
Landon used to think no one in the world could truly understand what another person was going through, but every time Melody was by his side, comforting him softly, he could always sense a kindred spirit in her, as if she could truly read his mind.
It turned out it was because Melody, like him, had also lost her parents.
Landon said nothing, but on the other end of the line, Elodie’s voice continued.
“As Mel’s best friend, I know better than anyone how much she likes you. Because you’re my cousin, no matter what happened, I always did my best to defend you. But, Landon, I really think you went too far this time.”
“Whatever your reasons were, you shouldn’t have played with her genuine feelings for you like that. From the moment she met you on the rooftop our freshman year of high school, she secretly liked you for five whole years. She was so, so good to you. How could you do this to her!”
Mel is so beautiful and talented. Even though she’s quiet, she’s never lacked admirers. You weren’t her only option, but for you, she turned everyone else down. And she still always felt like she wasn’t good enough for you.”
“Landon, I’ve never said anything about your love life all these years, but that doesn’t mean I approve. Even if you say you didn’t know Leah was there that day, what about Skylar? What about Leah? Can you honestly say there’s nothing going on with them? I’m really disappointed in you.”
“Anyway, this time, I am firmly on Mel’s side. Don’t go messing with her life anymore. I won’t tell you anything about her. Just like you said before: since you’ve proken up, make it a clean break. Don’t be clingy.”
With that, Elodie hung up.
Landon listened to the dial tone, feeling like he had a million things to say but not knowing where to start.
He opened his mouth blankly, then dialed Melody’s number again.
Even Landon himself didn’t realize that the hand holding his phone was trembling slightly.
This time, it wasn’t an “off” notification, but a “cannot be reached” message. No matter how many times he called, it was the same.
Landon lowered his hand, feeling a sense of bewilderment, as if he had lost the entire world.
Melody had actually blocked him.
So this time, she had really decided to give up on him?
