Chapter 11 Not a Blood Brother, But Closer Than One
Holiday time always flew by. During this break, Daniel and I kept a weird balance. I kept my distance, and he didn't try to get closer.
School was starting again.
Thanks to Helen and Emma (not really), Daniel and I booked tickets for the same day.
At the airport, Zoe was waiting by the curb.
Daniel slipped away from Hugh's watchful eyes and ran to Zoe, holding her hand and kissing her forehead.
Lovebirds couldn’t stand being apart for even a day.
Jealous, I looked away and carried my luggage into the terminal alone.
The airport was huge, with people heading in all directions, each chasing their own path.
Soon, Daniel and I would go our separate ways too.
With tears in my eyes, I silently said goodbye to Daniel.
This semester's workload was heavier. I cut out all distractions and focused on my studies.
Gradually, I found peace of mind.
I entered a department competition and won first place, causing quite a stir.
Guest professor Xavier Baldwin admired my painting and asked me to create a sunflower as I saw it. If it turned out well, he’d take it to an exhibition and consider recommending me as his assistant.
Xavier was a big name in the art world. Being guided by him was a dream for art students. His nomination made me the envy of many, though some gossiped about an improper relationship between us.
I ignored the gossip and focused on my painting.
After a month, I finished my work and called it "Sunflower Facing Away from the Sun."
Only I knew the loneliness it represented.
When I nervously handed it to Professor Baldwin, he was in a video conference.
As I was about to leave, Xavier waved me in. He showed my painting to the people on the call. After the meeting, I learned it was Xavier's team of grad students.
"Sunflower Facing Away from the Sun" got high praise, but no one truly understood its meaning.
Then, a male student’s voice came through the speakers. "The composition and colors are excellent, but the theme is unique! Among sun-facing sunflowers, one grows away, embracing darkness. It reflects the artist's loneliness and determination to control the destiny!"
Someone understood me! His words matched my feelings when I painted it, and my heart fluttered.
Xavier found his interpretation interesting and asked me to add him on Facebook, saying our styles could complement each other. While I hesitated, the professor took my phone and showed my Facebook account to the camera.
"Professor, I already have her Facebook," the male student said. The voice sounded familiar.
"Do you know each other?" Xavier handed me the phone, and I smiled when I saw the screen.
It was Brad, smiling at me.
"Yes, I do. He's like a real brother to me."
"Be good, study hard. I'll be back soon and treat you to a big meal," Brad said, smiling gently.
Xavier praised my talent to everyone, calling me a rare genius.
Almost overnight, I became a prominent figure in the department and the whole school, ranking among the top three on the school's celebrity list, with my photo on the big board. Most people in the school recognized me.
After that, more people started asking me for paintings, both paid and unpaid.
My life got busier, and my mood lifted.
Brad, much older than me, had always looked out for me, but I didn't know much about him.
As we talked more, I found out he was funny, skilled, and had a deep, strong painting style. He'd share painting tips, experiences, and sometimes his own work. When I hit a creative block, his advice was always spot-on and super helpful.
We had great conversations and got along easily because of our shared interests.
Of course, I still checked Daniel's Facebook sometimes, testing my resolve.
Daniel, unlike before, posted daily about his happy life with Zoe—drinking at bars, holding hands on dates. The constant stream of loving photos made my throat feel bitter.
I thought Brad's promised big meal would cheer me up, but he was on a field trip in another state, and his return kept getting delayed. So, I had to find comfort food with my roommates.
That summer, Daniel didn't contact me, and I didn't reach out either. I headed home alone again, thinking I was getting used to life without him and learning to grow up on my own.
The plane landed at night, and I got home around six in the morning. Without much talk with my parents, I took a quick shower and crashed into bed.
When I woke up from a chaotic dream, it was already noon. Helen was setting the table. Seeing me awake, she waved me over to eat.
"Mom, I want pasta for dinner."
"Emma's treating us out tonight. We'll have pasta another day," Helen replied.
Dinner was at a new restaurant on the corner. I arrived late, so there was only one empty seat left.
"Jane, you're always the slowest. The whole family is waiting for you," Daniel said before I could sit down.
Just as I was about to respond, Daniel's gaze pierced into my eyes like a sharp knife, causing almost unbearable pain. In the few months we hadn't seen each other, he had matured a lot, with a deep, unresolvable tenderness in his eyes.
Zoe leaned on Daniel's arm with a shy smile. Daniel held her hand, and there was no gap between them.
My eyes hurt, and my heart hurt even more.
He had brought Zoe to meet the family. All the past memories that belonged only to me and Daniel ended at that moment, losing all meaning.
For a moment, I was at a loss.
It seemed it was time to let go of everything.
"Jane, sit down. What do you like to eat? I'll order for you," Emma greeted me warmly.
I sat down in a daze, directly facing the sweetly intertwined Daniel and Zoe.
At that moment, I really wanted to blind myself.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Daniel looked at Zoe with a gaze that was both tender and sweet. He said, "Zoe, this is the neighbor girl Jane I often talk about. You've met her. You can call her Clingy Jane. You wouldn't believe that this girl used to follow me around all the time when she was little, almost driving me crazy. Jane, this is Zoe, my girlfriend. She'll be your sister-in-law in the future. You can start calling her that now."
Zoe blushed and buried her face in Daniel's arm, smiling so beautifully.
I heard that Zoe's father was a local official who got arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment, with all his assets confiscated. To avoid living under the strange looks of others, her mother brought her to the South.
Zoe was as vibrant as a flower and as delicate as a petal. Just one gentle look from her would evoke a protective instinct in people.
Her gentle and delicate nature was worlds apart from my straightforward personality. Men probably prefer gentle women, and in this regard, I was indeed no match for Zoe.
What else could I say? I could only smile bitterly.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
