Chapter 20
It took Colette a while to calm down their roommates. She was about to take a rest when she
received a text on her phone.
James had texted her, “Colette, I’m sorry for what happened today, Can I treat you to dinner someday?”
Janelle poked her head over and read the text on Colette’s phone. “Woah, he’s offering to buy you dinner! I heard he’s from a poor family. This shows he’s into you!”
Colette frowned when she learned that James came from a poor family. Her roommates were discussing his background, and for some reason, she’d always assumed he was from wealth.
The memory clicked only when Janelle mentioned his family more openly, and Colette remembered seeing James‘ name in the news. He’d made headlines by choosing Avery University to stay close to his parents, despite being the top SAT scholar who could have attended any prestigious school.
The decision sparked a lot of debate–some praised his loyalty, while others thought he was limiting his future for his parents‘ sake. Yet, James had remained unfazed, confident he’d
excel wherever he went.
Rumors about his family only added to his intrigue. Allegedly, he had supported them * financially since high school.
With this in mind, Colette pushed past her gossiping roommates, sat on her bed, and replied to James seriously, “It’s fine. Focus on your studies; finals are coming up, and I’m sure you’ll earn a scholarship with those grades!”
She had tactfully turned down his invitation. The thought of him treating her to dinner when he was al. eady juggling scholarships and odd jobs didn’t sit right with her.
Still, she couldn’t bring herself to delete his contact, feeling it would be rude when he hadn’t
even confessed his feelings.
From that day on, they started to talk more frequently, and she gradually got to know him better. Initially, he would come up with reasons to seek her help, and as a member of the
student union, she never declined.
Eventually, she noticed he’d sometimes ask for help with things he could handle on his own. She could have refused, but somehow, saying no to him was never easy.
Time flew by, and on the 500th day of their friendship, James decided it was time to confess his feelings to Colette. By then, Colette was a senior in her final year.
On the day of the season’s first snow, Avery University was blanketed in white. Snowflakes drifted like delicate cotton, glowing under the street lamps and casting a magical scene across
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campus.
Bundled in a warm down jacket and a snug beanie, Colette walked alongside James. A layer of frost had formed on her bangs as they strolled around the field, watching couples pelting each other with snowballs on the track.
As they walked, a couple suddenly sprinted past, nearly knocking Colette off balance.
James instinctively pulled her into a protective embrace, steadying her. Once the couple passed, he released her, slightly flustered, as she wriggled free from his arms.
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