[Chapter 191]
Gerald looked up. "What's up?"
"We've got a gathering between old friends tonight. It happens every couple of months. I've never mentioned it before—but since we've bumped into each other, this is me letting you know!
"Also, Sharon will be there." Lilian stifled a little laugh. "Come to think of it: Back in high school, you'd come first place in grades, and she'd come second. The two of you were close—in fact, you were after her, weren't you?"
Gerald didn't reply.
Sharon Leslie, an old friend from high school. It was true that they got along well back then.
It was also true that Gerald had harbored feelings for her, but that had been before… all of this.
Had he pursued her? He hadn't dared.
Early on, during their first year of high school, they'd chat together often. Later, even on those few occasions when he'd tried to strike up a conversation, she hadn't replied. And so, they'd drifted apart.
Three years had passed in a flash.
"Tee-hee! Come on… you know, last month, Sharon's boyfriend was treating us to some eats, and then the topic of you came up!
Sharon wanted to know what Gerald was up to—no one could answer her at the time, but now… you free tonight?"
As she spoke, Lilian stole a peek at Gerald, searching for a hint of despair.
But no such expression was to be found in his features.
"Tonight? Yeah, I can make it!"
"Great, great. You have to come, then—let everyone have a look at you!" Surreptitiously, Lilian snuck out her handphone and stole a snapshot of Gerald, which she sent to the chat group for the gathering:
"Guess who this bozo is?"
"Who? Looks familiar… I've definitely seen him somewhere before!"
"Same here, but… he just doesn't look like anyone worth remembering! Ring a bell with any of you?"
Sharon Leslie: "Is that Gerald?"
"Oh, yeah!" Lilian gushed. "You two were buddies back in high school, huh? Only took you one look—it's Gerald!"
It's exciting to be the one who brings up something that gets everyone excited. That was the main reason why Lilian had suddenly decided to invite Gerald to the gathering.
They had a lot of former schoolmates in Mayberry—there was a handful in her class alone. Perhaps they wouldn't recognize Gerald, but they were guaranteed to have heard his name before.
If he showed up at the gathering, she was certain he'd be the hot topic of the night.
Just look at the uproar in the chat group right now…
Sharon Leslie: "Were we buddies in high school? I don't recall anything like that! Hehehe…"
Lilian's fingers flew over the keypad. "Alas! Found yourself a hunk in Sunnydale now, so your ex doesn't matter anymore?"
Sharon Leslie: "Get out of here! What do you mean 'ex'… How about you ask him along to our gathering? We should catch up—
we're all old friends, after all!"
"Alright!"
Lilian turned to Gerald. "Everyone's eager to see you again—especially Sharon. She even said it herself. Since you've got time tonight, just come for the gathering! If you're worried about whether you can afford it, I'll cover you for the time being!"
Gerald had just been about to turn her down. Truth be told, he hadn't made a lot of friends back during those years. He'd have nothing to talk about with everyone there.
But now that Lilian had said all that, he couldn't very well say no anymore.
"Alright, tonight then!" Gerald nodded his agreement.
Lilian gave him the venue, then went on her way.
Gerald shook his head in exasperation. "Lilian's teaching at my new school. It's a small world after all!"
He'd been planning to take a stroll through town, but talking to Lilian had ruined his mood for that.
Well, it was noon, and he was hungry, so Gerald headed out anyway.
At the school gates, there were three children in tattered clothes, perhaps four or five-year-olds. They were peering inside.
"Is this a school, brother? It doesn't look like what Ms. Queta was talking about…"