Byron's Secret (Slenderman Romance)

Chapter 60. "Friends"

【Byron's POV】

I spent several minutes standing on the same spot. I hate to admit it, but my mind was racing－different from how I usually am. I couldn't calm down even if I forced myself to. I kept thinking back to what had happened－I never should have said anything. I never should have given her any false hope. It only worsened the situation. I wasn't thinking straight. But apart from that, she will give up for good and I will finally have some peace, though I could have done it in a less troublesome way, that's for sure.

Amidst my internal turmoil, I felt a hand touch my arm momentarily. I spun around to see the same girl as before, 'Zoe', who was fidgeting and looking up at me, "Hey, Byron," She forced a smile, nervous.

I felt the need to mind my manners after the incident and after Droney had already apologized for me, and so, I softened my gaze, but remained stern, "Yes?"

"Um," She let out a nervous laugh, pushing her hair behind her ear, "I really want to say sorry for earlier. My friends were being jerks."

I cocked my head to the side, "Your friends?"

"Yeah, I feel bad." She looked down, "Sorry for forcing you to come with me."

I cleared my throat, "While it's true that your 'friends' were being extremely rude, they weren't the reason I was pushed to the limit." I sent her a look.

She raised her brows in confusion, "Then, wha－"

"The reason was you, to be clear." I couldn't help but scowl, "You kept touching and pushing yourself against me, it was uncomfortable and revolting, not to mention that this event has something to do with our jobs."

She looked embarrassed, "I－I was－"

"Let me just make it clear to you, for the sake of future occasions," I interrupted, not wanting to hear another excuse from her, "I am not, in the least bit, interested in you and neither do I want to get to know you. I'd appreciate it if you delete my number which you forcefully taken from me. You can tell your 'friends' the same thing."

I watched as her eyes started to water before she hurriedly walked away with her head low.

I scoffed. I made another girl cry. Though, this time, I couldn't care less. Somehow, I actually felt a bit satisfied to have done that. Her behavior is disgusting and unnecessary. I'm relieved that she finally got the message, she can't seem to get it through her thick skull. Even last year, she wouldn't stay away. The minute Droney introduced me to her, I knew it wasn't a good thing. She's noisy, forceful, overly-friendly, I couldn't predict what was running in her mind whenever she sticks to me, she's like－

She's like Joy.

The sudden realization caught me off guard. They're exactly alike, but how come they're so different? How I perceive the two of them are far from each other. I don't understand it at all.

My train of thought was disrupted when I noticed a familiar face. It was her, walking alongside Droney, seemingly serious as they talked. She didn't look like she just cried, she seemed rather normal, like nothing happened.

Droney walked away from her while she stood about, looking around as if searching for someone. We inevitably locked eyes, causing hers to widen. She stared for a while, a little shaken up, before Droney blocked her view.

That's when I noticed that Droney was with the same guy as before, and that he is currently acquainting the two. A smile appeared on her face as she lowered her head, her cheeks faintly flushed. Droney gave the guy a pat on the back before leaving them to talk to each other.