[Chapter 256]
When David and Celia met again for the first time since graduation three years ago, they interacted calmly, as if old friends. After greeting each other, they left the place side by side as well.
The students gathered around started to discuss among themselves once the duo left.
"Holy sh*t! Isn't that Celia, the prettiest girl in university from our School of English? Who's that guy she was with? Do you guys know him?"
"I think it's an exchange student from SRU. He's in our class."
"SRU? But she's from our school! We can't just let an outsider take her away!"
"I can't believe we're just going to let him take advantage like this."
"What do you mean take advantage, huh? The guy's pretty handsome, isn't he? He's kind of cool, or at least, not any less cool than the Fantastic Four. He and Celia seem like a pretty good match," replied a girl.
"So what if he's handsome or cool? He's still from another school! She's our university's prettiest girl, we can't just let some guy from another school take her away! What does that say about the guys in our school?"
"Yeah! This is big news, I've got to tell Hanley about this immediately! He's already set his eyes on Celia, and he won't let the guy go so easily once he finds out about this."
"I knew it, Celia has a boyfriend, that's why she hasn't agreed to any of the people who pursued her! You can tell that they've known each other for a long time by the way they interact."
"Who cares how long they've known each other? Just start spreading the news already before the prettiest girl in Greenwood University gets taken away by some guy from SRU!"
Neither David nor Celia realized how much attention they attracted while they walked. Mainly because Celia was just too famous within Greenwood University.
However, the two of them ignored the looks and found a place to eat outside of campus.
After this, Celia showed David around Greenwood University.
As one of the most distinguished academies in the world, Greenwood University had a huge campus. The two of them strolled through many places before they finally settled down by an artificial lake.
It was quiet there, thus becoming a popular location for couples to gather in Greenwood University, though mostly at night.
Most people would not gather by the pond in the middle of the day when the sun was
scorching hot about their heads, plus couples would have to keep their behaviors in check since it was daytime and there was little to no privacy.
Thus, people tend to gather only at night and not during noon.
"David!" Celia shouted.
"Yeah?" David turned to look at Celia.
"I feel like you changed a lot," Celia said.
"In what way? Do tell," David asked.
"You're stronger, more confident, and… you're also more handsome now," Celia replied with a blush.
David touched his face. The system has indeed brought him great change, not only in the physical sense, but also mentally.
He used to be self-abased and refused to socialize, but now he was filled with confidence.
"Celia, I feel like you've changed too," David said.
"I did? How?" Celia looked at herself and asked.
"You're much prettier now," David replied with a grin.
"You've become a smooth-talker too, David! The you back then would never have said something like that."
"Huh, I guess we all changed."
The two looked at the lake far across and sat in silence for a long while.
"David?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
"What for?"
"Thank you for appearing during my darkest moment and saving me from my death. You risked your life to rescue me, like an angel."
"Oh, that! I would have forgotten about that if you hadn't reminded me. I just happened to act quicker than anyone else. I'm sure someone would do the same if I weren't there."
"But I can't forget about it!"
Celia looked up and stared at David as she said solemnly.
David could also feel that there was strange about Celia's tone, so he turned to look at her.
They locked gazes.
Celia turned her head to the side and continued grimly, "This nightmare has been plaguing m e all these years! In my dream, there would be a lorry speeding towards me out of control. I want to get away but I can never seem to move. And just as the lorry is about to crash into me, a figure would appear by my side and carry me away from the lorry's path.
"I used to jolt awake from the nightmare in the beginning, sweating and terrified. But whenever I go to sleep, I can't help but want to dream of that nightmare either. Because I can only ever see that person's face when I'm dreaming, and I'm scared that I'd forget how he looks one day if I don't see him every night.
"Slowly, the nightmare stopped feeling like a nightmare to me because I know that the lorry would never hit me. The moment I closed my eyes, I would be engulfed in a warm hug and I'll smell the familiar scent of a familiar face."
Celia started sobbing softly at this point.
David felt like he had to do something, so he reached out his right hand and wrapped it around Celia's shoulders, letting her rest her head on his shoulder.
A couple happened to notice this scene and after confirming that it was Celia, they quickly pulled out their phones and took a few photos.
This was breaking news. Celia, the prettiest girl at Greenwood University was currently on a date with a guy, and she even put her head on his shoulder.
This news along with the pictures were immediately spread on the university website once it was posted.
David and Celia, however, had no idea that their pictures were taken.
"Celia, I know how you feel about me. I've actually known about them since a long time ago, but I was a coward then. I was scared, self-abased, and I didn't dare to face your feelings. But I promise you I won't do that to you again. Just give me some time, I just broke up with Sarah, after all, and her situation isn't very optimistic at the moment. You saw the messages in the group cat too, right? I haven't done anything against my conscience, but I do not want you to b e at the receiving end of any rumors. I don't want them to think that I dumped Sarah because w e got together, and that caused her current mental illness. That's not fair to you. If it's going t o be you, then I want to give you the best. Will you trust me? I promise I won't run away again." "Okay… I'll wait for you," Celia said softly.