Chapter 3

Returning to my dorm in a daze, I saw the posts Hyman and others had made. In a large group photo, he had his arm naturally around Grace, his eyes solely on her. Grace leaned against his shoulder, her face slightly flushed, her eyes curved like crescent moons, looking very lovely. My heart felt terribly heavy and blocked. Since we'd broken up publicly, there was no turning back. I took out my phone, ready to block Hyman. Suddenly, a message popped up. "Lamber drove you back, didn't he?" "You thought you were so cool today, huh?" "Grace hasn't been back in years! Can't you be a little more understanding?" "If you want to get back with me, you'd better apologize properly!" I almost laughed in anger. Even though I had pursued Hyman for a long time and it was hard to let go, I finally saw clearly: there was absolutely no room for me between him and Grace. After a long silence, my hands trembling, I blocked Hyman. Bad news travels fast. The next day, as soon as I arrived at the art classroom, overwhelming gossip was already spreading. "Did Hyman and Dosa break up?" "No wonder. I've never seen Hyman stay with any girl for long!" "Did you guys know? Hyman's childhood friend came back. I heard he got completely drunk because of her yesterday!" "No way? Dosa is a beauty too!" "Too bad. She was too clingy. If I were a guy, I'd prefer an unattainable beauty!" Hyman was the infamous bully of the school. Handsome, rich, with a bit of a bad-boy streak. He'd always been a hot commodity in the girls' eyes. The first class was a lecture open to other majors. I had just sat down when I saw Hyman walk in with Grace. Hand in hand, they attracted the attention of everyone eager for drama. As if by fate, they sat diagonally in front of me. I immediately noticed the ring on Grace's finger—it was the couple's ring I had wanted to buy for a long time when Hyman and I went shopping. Hyman had brought breakfast, thoughtfully putting the straw in the milk carton for her. He even had napkins ready. These were treatments I had never enjoyed. I gripped the drawing paper in my hand tightly. My paintbrush swept stroke after stroke, scribbling over the portrait of Hyman I had drawn earlier. Right at that moment, one of Hyman's friends passed by and swiftly snatched my sketchbook. "Isn't this a drawing of Hyman?" The guy, loving the drama, held the sketchbook high for everyone to see. The class instantly erupted. "Give it back!" I frantically tried to grab it back. But they, like they were taunting a clown, tossed it back and forth among themselves. They flipped through page after page. Every single sheet recorded Hyman's name, dates, and things he had said. The deeper the emotions were then, the more painful the awakening is now. I stared fixedly at those smiling faces, my anger peaking to the point of strange calm. But only I knew, in that moment, I was dying of humiliation and anger. Until— A large hand suddenly reached out and caught the sketchbook mid-air. Then, with a few gentle tears, the sketchbook was ripped to pieces and thrown into the trash can. Lamber strode into the classroom with his long legs, his gaze coldly sweeping the room. "What's all the noise? Anyone who doesn't want to attend class can leave!" He slammed his textbook heavily onto the desk. The entire classroom fell silent. As a top senior in the Art Department, Lamber was more than qualified to be the substitute teacher. Throughout the lecture, he was seamless, spanning from medieval art history all the way to modern art, as if he had written the entire history of painting himself. Dazzling and brilliant. He had also rescued me from my predicament. It wasn't until near the end of class that his gaze finally landed on me. "I've reviewed everyone's assignments. Dosa's painting 'Starry Night Over the Rhône' received the top grade. Additionally, Hyman's assignment is unqualified. Do it over!" "As painters, our state of mind shows. Hyman, the conception in your painting is unclear, indicating a confused mind. Better not let personal feelings affect your work." The classroom filled with laughter. Hyman clenched his fists, but he alone didn't dare challenge Lamber.