—- Chapter 17 Elizabeth spent a long time recovering. Pamela, still feeling guilty for ever pushing her toward Daniel, chose to stay by her side and help with everything from meals to daily routines. She rarely mentioned Daniel, and when she did, it was always accompanied by a venomous string of curses. The whole ordeal had left her with an unusual side effect-she’d developed a full-blown allergy to good- looking men.
Anytime she saw a handsome guy, she’d mutter, ” Ugh, another heartless pretty boy.” But under Pamela’s steady companionship, Elizabeth slowly began to emerge from the darkness. In early April, she packed her things and prepared to return to Arvania with Pamela to continue her studies. Samson drove them to the airport, reluctant to let her go, and kept reminding her to take care of herself. Just as the two of them approached the security line, a familiar figure stumbled into view. It was Daniel.
Wearing a loose hospital gown, he limped toward her, completely reckless in the way he moved as if nothing else mattered. —- Pamela instantly stepped in front of Elizabeth, shielding her with her body. “You again? Why aren’t you dead yet, you psycho?” she snapped. Daniel didn’t respond. His eyes locked on Elizabeth , desperation carved into every line of his face. ” Elizabeth , please… don’t go.
If you stay, I’ll give you everything I have.” Elizabeth had never seen him like this-fragile, hollow, and broken. He looked like he had nothing left to give. She said nothing at first. Pamela shot her a worried glance, but Elizabeth gently squeezed her arm and stepped forward. “Lizzy…” Daniel whispered , reaching out to her, but she stepped back, avoiding his touch, as if it would burn her. Under Daniel’s devastated gaze, Elizabeth spoke softly. “You know…
I once loved you with everything I had. Back then, when I was being bullied , you were the one who stood up for me. “You were like a ray of light cutting through the darkness of my world. In my heart, I truly believed you were my salvation, someone I could trust with my entire life. “Every moment I spent with you, I cherished . Even —- after I found out your intentions weren’t pure, I still clung to the hope that maybe you had felt something real, too.
“But in the end, you were the one who pushed me into the deepest, darkest place… and left me there without looking back. “Daniel, I gave you chances. More than one. More than you ever deserved. But now? Those chances are gone. And so is my love for you.” She turned and walked back to Pamela, her posture calm and resolute. She didn’t offer another glance. Daniel stared at her retreating figure like a man possessed. He didn’t blink, not until Elizabeth vanished from sight.
Then, at last, his body gave out. A bitter taste surged up his throat. Before he could even swallow, blood burst from his mouth, splattering across the ground at his feet. His body swayed, then collapsed hard onto the floor. Back in Arvania , Elizabeth quickly settled back into campus life. She joined a few clubs that piqued her interest , made new friends, and even attracted more than a few admirers.
—- But the one who left the deepest impression was a boy named Elmer Atkinson. Unlike the other guys who were bold and eager, Elmer was painfully shy. Every time he spoke to her, the tips of his ears turned beet red. It was exactly that awkwardness that made him easy to be around. He never crossed a line and always kept a gentle, respectful distance. Pamela tried playing matchmaker more than once, but Elizabeth always turned her down.
The truth was, her last relationship had drained her to the core. She didn’t have the courage or the energy to open her heart again. That is, until winter came, and the school organized a trip to see the aurora borealis under a snow-lit sky. Elmer approached her, clearly nervous, and asked if she’d be willing to pair up with him. Thanks to Pamela’s relentless nudging, Elizabeth said yes. Elmer lit up like someone had handed him the stars. His already bright eyes seemed to sparkle even more.
He instinctively reached for her hand, then stopped halfway and pulled back, awkwardly scratching his head. —- “J… I’ll take care of you,” he stammered, voice barely above a whisper. Elizabeth smiled. She thought that even if they didn’t become anything more, being friends with someone this sweet wasn’t such a bad thing.
