Chapter 2

Alex and I were childhood sweethearts.

From my earliest memories, I was always like his shadow, trailing behind him, calling him “Alex, my big brother.”

He was always so reserved, barely acknowledging anyone.

But I was persistent. The more he ignored me, the more I wanted to cling to him.

“Alex, wait for me!”

“Alex, will you play on the swing set with me, please?”

“Alex, someone’s bothering me, can you help?”

I was clumsy and slow, doing everything at a snail’s pace.

Even though Alex would often complain, he’d always follow behind me, cleaning up my messes.

Of course, he’d punish me too.

If I accidentally ruined his paintbrushes, he’d get mad and draw whiskers on my face.

If I accidentally left dirty handprints on his new shirt, he’d deliberately frame it and hang it in the most obvious spot, silently mocking me.

If I threw a tantrum and refused to eat, he’d threaten me, saying he’d never speak to me again.

He was truly awful.

He knew perfectly well that being ignored by him was my biggest fear.

Once, someone teased him, asking if he’d marry me when we grew up.

I was little then, happily munching on an apple, beaming. “Yes, please! When I grow up, I want to be Alex’s bride!”

His face flushed red. He grabbed a tissue and covered my face. “Wipe your face, you’re so messy.”

The Reeds and the Sterlings were old family friends. We lived close by and had a very close relationship.

When I was little, I’d often sneak off to Alex’s house and stay there all day.

All day, I’d only stick to Alex.

He was three years older than me, with a calmness and maturity beyond his years.

Back then, I thought that by having a small corner in his life, I could have him for a lifetime.

But time flies.

Neither of us ever imagined that a childhood love could be eclipsed by a fated encounter.