I Chose The GPA Over The Genius Chapter 2

Rhys messaged me right after my afternoon lecture, asking where I was.

I'm meeting my roommates at the dining hall. What's up?

I hit send and then saw his silhouette across the courtyard, waving. He was waiting for me. Rhys rarely waited for me. He was always booked: classes, the lab, research meetings, leaving me with slivers of his time.

He reached me and took my hand.

“My team meeting ended early,” he said, pulling me in the direction of the main gate. “How about that sketchy Thai place you love? The one with the crazy spicy Pad See Ew?”

I pulled my hand free.

Rhys stopped, a flash of genuine hurt crossing his features before he gripped my hand tighter. His palm was warm, even as the early autumn wind whipped around us.

“Don’t be mad, okay?” he pleaded. “There’s nothing with Sylvie. I was wrong. I’ll be more careful, I promise. I’ll keep a professional distance from now on.”

I looked into his eyes. They were sincere. I truly believed he meant it right now.

But sincerity is fleeting.

Every time we fought, he gave me this exact apology, this exact promise. And every time, we ended up fighting about Sylvie again.

I scanned the quad, searching. When I spotted my roommate, Jamie, I gave her a small, tight wave to show I was on my way.

“You always say that place smells like feet,” I reminded him, the lie smooth and easy. “And anyway, I made plans with my roommates. That place closed down last month.”

I slipped my hand out of his and walked toward Jamie.

The truth was, I’d gone to that Thai place alone weeks ago. The owner had been so heavy-handed with the chili oil that the “mild” dish had made me cry. I had sat in the corner for hours, eating and sobbing until the heat and the sadness were both completely purged.