[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322C9288E-203":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},203,16,"Chapter 16: \"I'm Quite Happy to Lose to Her.\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her wish was simple: she hoped that in the coming year, Eden Anderson would stop liking Lucas Powell.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Following the academic competition, the deadline to submit major declaration forms had arrived. Under the relentless pressure from her mother, Eden ultimately checked the box for STEM. For the month following the submission, she abandoned her interest in the humanities, pouring every spare second into the sciences.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She was trying to prove a theory—that if she dedicated all her time to physics, chemistry, and biology, her grades would inevitably skyrocket. Every high-stakes midterm and every mundane practice problem became a litmus test for her own potential.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Yet, the results were always underwhelming. She had sought security through these metrics, only to find that they were exactly what stripped it away from her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Eden?\" Shelby Rivera waved a hand in front of her face, snapping her out of a daze. \"Are you possessed by an academic ghost or something?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden managed a weak laugh and shook her head.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It's New Year's Eve tonight. You should take a break,\" Shelby said. \"We have the afternoon off. Why don't we go out?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Just the two of us?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I wanted to invite Molly Lee, but she said her cousin just had a baby and she’s heading to the hospital to see her nephew. I ran into Julian Smith this morning, and he mentioned he wanted to go out too. I figured the more, the merrier, so I told him he could tag along.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That sounds fine,\" Eden replied.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That afternoon, Eden and Shelby stood outside the boys' dorm waiting for Julian. Almost every boy who walked past slowed their pace, their gazes lingering on Eden, heads swiveling as they passed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Man, you’re like a celebrity on the street,\" Shelby teased. \"Honestly, you and Lucas should just wear sunglasses and masks to stop causing a riot everywhere you go.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Eden!\" Julian emerged from the dorm, waving as he spotted them. \"Hey, Shelby!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Let’s go,\" Shelby said, her voice full of anticipation. \"Where are we headed?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"My place?\" Julian suggested.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Is your dad home?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yeah.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then count me out. No way.\" Shelby looked genuinely repulsed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Look, my dad knows you’re leaning toward the humanities, which is exactly why he told me to drag you over there. Get it?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Julian Smith, you set me up! You said we were going out to have fun, not to get a lecture!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Eden, you should come too,\" Julian added. \"My dad said he wanted to have a chat with you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"With me?\" Eden blinked, surprised.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Julian nodded.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In the study of Julian’s home, Eden sat across from Joseph Smith.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Decided to stick with STEM?\" Joseph asked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden paused, then gave a slow nod.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’ve been tracking your exam scores for the last six months. Honestly, your strengths lie in the humanities.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sometimes, when the noise around us gets too loud, we stop hearing our own inner voice. In critical moments like this, you have to learn how to cover your own ears.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Come on, cover your ears,\" Joseph said with a perfectly straight face. \"Now, answer me again: are you sure about the STEM track?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden couldn't help but laugh. \"To be honest, I’ve always wanted to pursue the humanities, but my parents won’t hear of it. Especially my mother.\" She added, \"And my homeroom teacher doesn't support it either.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Alright. Anything else?\" Joseph pressed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden shook her head.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Suddenly, Joseph pulled out his phone and handed it to her. \"Here, add your mother’s number to my contacts. Go ahead and switch to the humanities track next semester. I’ll handle the rest.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden took the phone, a strange, warmth blooming in her chest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Thank you, Mr. Smith,\" she said, handing the phone back after saving the number, her voice thick with sincerity.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Don't mention it. Now, go have some fun with the others.\" Joseph patted her shoulder.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden nodded, smiling, and turned to head out. But as she pushed the door open, she collided with a familiar figure standing on the threshold.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Their eyes locked. For a fleeting second, the air seemed to freeze. Eden stared, breathless, before quickly averting her gaze. She stepped aside, letting Lucas Powell pass, and slipped out of the room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Lucas? You here?\" Joseph’s voice echoed from inside. \"Are you set on the STEM track?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden stood outside, her feet rooted to the floor by the sound of their conversation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She heard Lucas chuckle. \"Don't tease me, Mr. Smith. I’m definitely taking STEM. I’m useless at the humanities.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Eden is switching to the humanities,\" Joseph said. \"Looks like you’ll finally be taking the top spot.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sir, my ego isn't that big. Ranking first or second—it doesn't change anything for me,\" Lucas replied. \"But for her, it’s different.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh? How so?\" Joseph asked, intrigued.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You see how quiet she is every day? She carries more than anyone realizes. The pressure she’s under… most people would’ve cracked. She holds it all together like she’s made of steel. To tell you the truth, I’m actually quite happy to lose to her.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden’s fingers curled unconsciously at her sides.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Eden! I just sliced some fruit, come have some!\" Shelby called out from the living room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden answered and hurried toward the living room, leaving the conversation behind.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After dinner, Shelby suggested they head to the city square to watch the fireworks. Because guests were arriving at his house, Julian stayed behind, leaving only Eden, Shelby, and Lucas to walk to the plaza.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The square was packed. The trees were strung with glowing, multi-colored lights, and the vendors were bustling, selling handmade trinkets and sparklers. Shelby ran over to buy three, keeping one for herself and shoving the others into the hands of Eden and Lucas.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sparklers! One for each of us! Lucas, didn't I tell you to bring a lighter? Come on, light them for us!\" Shelby urged.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lucas pulled a lighter from his pocket and leaned in to light Shelby’s sparkler, wishing her a Happy New Year.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Happy New Year!\" Shelby shouted, spinning in circles with her glowing light.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden felt a smile tug at her lips, but as she turned, she found Lucas standing right in front of her. He wished her a Happy New Year, then shielded the flame with his hand to light her sparkler.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Just as she opened her mouth to respond, a group of kids chasing each other slammed into her. A child holding a lit sparkler lunged forward, and Eden, caught off-balance, stumbled. She didn't fall, but her hand brushed against the burning rod, and her own sparkler hit the concrete, dying out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lucas grabbed her wrist instantly to steady her. He didn't let go, his eyes fixated on the angry red burn on the back of her hand.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Thanks,\" Eden’s breath hitched. She pulled her wrist back as soon as she regained her footing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What happened?\" Shelby ran over.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It's nothing,\" Eden smiled at her. \"I accidentally dropped mine. I’ll go buy another one.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Get me one too while you’re at it,\" Shelby chirped.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sure.\" Eden turned toward the stall. Her heart was hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird—all because he had held her wrist for those few seconds. The \"Happy New Year\" she had been waiting to say remained caught in her throat, swallowed back down into the silence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As she finished paying for the new sparklers, she heard Shelby calling from across the square.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Eden! Over here!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Why’d you move?\" Eden asked as she approached.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Lucas said it was too crowded with those kids running around. He said it was safer over here, and less crowded too. He told me you burned your hand—are you okay? Let me see!\" Shelby grabbed her hand.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I'm fine,\" Eden said, scanning the area. She didn't see Lucas. \"Where's he at?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh, he got a call. Said he had something to take care of and rushed off. Probably Molly Lee, right? She’s back, so they’re probably meeting up to ring in the New Year together. They do it every year,\" Shelby said.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden didn't reply. Her vision blurred slightly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Shelby used her lighter to ignite the sparkler. The golden fire hissed and sputtered, blindingly bright against the dark night. Eden watched silently as it burned down to the wire.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As the seconds ticked away, the crowd turned toward the massive clock on the nearby building, chanting the countdown. At the stroke of midnight, countless fireworks exploded simultaneously, cascading across the ink-black sky like a brilliant, torrential downpour of colored light.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden looked up, watching the display, and made her first wish of the new year.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her wish was simple: she hoped that in the coming year, Eden Anderson would stop liking Lucas Powell.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272926513]