Keep sitting behind her in class.
Keep showing up at places I know she'll be.
Keep taking every opportunity to remind her I exist.
Because if she forgets about me, even for a moment, I'll disappear entirely nd that's the one thing I can't handle.
Even if her hatred is all I get.
It's still something.
It's still her attention.
And I'm pathetic enough to cling to that.
For as long as she'll let me.
Chapter 5
Ivy
Wednesday at 3 PM,I arrive at the library with a battle plan.
I've reserved a study room. Glass walls, public visibility, escape routes clearly mapped. I have a list of ten potential companies for our project, each with preliminary research already completed. I have a timeline, a division of labor, and a strict agenda that should get us through this meeting in exactly fifty-seven minutes.
I will not be alone with Ethan Zhang for longer than necessary.
He arrives at 2:58. Early, like me. Another thing that hasn't changed.
"Punctual as always," he observes, setting his bag down across from me.
"Let's get started. I have another commitment at four."
A lie, but he doesn't need to know that.
I slide my laptop toward him, showing the list of companies. "I've narrowed it down to these ten based on market position, available data, and strategic interest. We need to choose one by the end of today."
He scans the list without commenting. His face is unreadable, that same mask he wore at the party. The one he doesn't seem to take off when he’s around me.
"Thoughts?" I prompt when the silence stretches too long.
"These are all safe choices. Established companies with predictable strategies."
"That's the point. We need reliable data for analysis."
"We need interesting data. Something that demonstrates actual strategic thinking." He pulls out his own laptop. "What about emerging companies? Startups disrupting traditional markets?"
"Too risky. Limited historical data, uncertain futures?—"
"Which makes them perfect for strategic analysis. We're not writing a history report, Ivy. We're supposed to analyze competitive strategy in emerging markets. That requires actual emergence."
He's right. I hate that he's right.
"Fine. Do you have suggestions?"
He turns his laptop toward me. He's pulled up three companies I haven't heard of, tech startups in sustainable energy, AI-driven healthcare, and direct-to-consumer retail.
The research is thorough. More thorough than mine, actually. He's identified market gaps, competitive advantages and strategic vulnerabilities.