The midday sun offered no warmth.
The ice cream in her hand felt like an icy dagger against her skin.
By the time Emily rushed back with the ice cream, her body was already shivering from the cold that seemed to seep into her bones. She found Ryan and Norah had left the bench and were now standing by the fountain, watching the water dance to the music.
"Oops, I don't want the ice cream anymore," Norah turned to Emily, blinking playfully. "Why don't you eat it instead? Aren't you really hungry?"
"Oh."
Emily glanced down at the ice cream, walked over, and threw it into the trash can.
Norah's expression stiffened. She shot a quick look at Ryan but managed to suppress the anger bubbling inside. Instead, she leaned affectionately against him and said, "Isn't the fountain just the most romantic place?"
Ryan raised an eyebrow.
Norah continued, "There's a legend that if you toss a coin into the fountain and make a wish, it will come true."
Ryan's lips curved into a slight smirk.
"Ryan, don't you believe in it?" Norah pouted, stomping her foot. "So many people believe in it! That's why every fountain is filled with coins."
"Coins," Ryan mused, "the highest denomination is a dollar, right?"
"Yes, it is," Norah replied.
"Which means," Ryan continued, "those wishes are worth no more than a dollar."
Norah's mouth fell open in shock.
Ryan stood there indifferently, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "A wish worth only a dollar—why would it matter if it comes true or not?"
"You shouldn't say that," Emily murmured, her gaze fixed on the glistening surface of the fountain's water, where sunlight shimmered brightly.
"When a coin slowly sinks to the bottom, it's like a beautiful wish being safely stored away. When the sun shines, the coins at the bottom reflect a small glimmer of hope. When the fountain splashes, it feels as if the wishes are singing. A coin alone might not make a wish come true, but by tossing it into the fountain, you create hope. And for that hope, you'll strive, you'll give it your all, and then... your wish might actually come true."
Ryan stared at her for a moment, then sneered.
"Is that so? Then let me make a wish."
He pulled out his wallet from his pocket, revealing only bills and cards. Norah quickly rummaged through her bag. "I have some coins, I'll give you one," she offered.
Ryan brushed aside her hand holding the coins. Instead, he reached for the diamond on his nose ring, plucking it off. With a flick of his fingers, the diamond arched through the air, its dazzling brilliance traced against the sky before it plunged into the fountain, disappearing amidst the crystalline splashes of water.
"Ryan! The diamond..."
Norah gasped, covering her mouth in shock. Ever since she met Ryan at Elm Academy, he had worn that diamond, never taking it off in the past three years.
"Can a wish made with a diamond come true?" Ryan asked, his gaze fixed on Emily.
"As long as you try, any wish can come true," she replied.
"I don't believe that," Ryan muttered, his voice low and distant.
"Honestly, I didn't believe it either," Emily said, her eyes clear as they looked into his. "Not until... fate cruelly ripped away my happiness, leaving me struggling to breathe. And then, out of nowhere, it gave me a miracle."
Norah, unable to tolerate Ryan and Emily's conversation any longer, squeezed back to Ryan's side, wrapping her arm around his. She gave Emily a sweet but mocking smile.
"Well, I believe a miracle might happen for you because it's rare to see a girl as thick-skinned as you," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Always clinging to Ryan, doing all these ridiculous things... Are you really hoping that all your efforts will fulfill your wish of getting closer to him?"
Ryan pulled her closer and kissed her cheek. "Jealous, are we? You should feel proud that there are girls who go crazy over me," he teased.
Norah giggled, "No way! I just think Emily is acting way too crazy. What if she's mentally unstable and ends up hurting you?" She turned toward Emily, her eyes sharp and cold. "Isn't that right, Emily?"
Emily bit her lip hard. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?" Norah's voice was icy as she stared Emily down. "Are you going to keep chasing after Ryan like this? Don't you know how irritating you are? Where's your self-respect? Aren't you ashamed?"
Emily closed her eyes. Her delicate lashes trembled violently.
She couldn't respond. She knew she was being a nuisance, but still, all she wanted was to stay by his side.
Ryan coldly assessed the blushing Emily, then suddenly pulled her into an embrace. He leaned close to her ear, his breath warm against her skin, and asked, "Do you like me?"
Emily froze.
"Tell me, just how much do you like me?" Ryan's smile turned wicked.
The question…
Tears instantly filled Emily's eyes.
"I will always love you. Even if you no longer love me, even if you've forgotten me, even if I disappear from this world, I will still love you."
Tears slowly streamed down her cheeks.
Then, a loud slap rang out.
Norah's contemptuous gaze locked onto Emily. "You call yourself shameless, but you've truly surpassed all limits!"
Ryan was momentarily stunned. His hand trembled slightly on Emily's shoulder, but then he resumed his indifferent smile.
"Do you know what wish I made with that diamond just now?"