The Corpse of South Tserron

Chapter 8: Evelyn in their eyes Part 3b Anne

The midday heat was bearing on us and it was a wise choice for me to take the red Volkswagen Bus over my green beach buggy because of the AC feature. While driving down the open road, Anne was quick to comment on how different the north was from the south which then evolved into a conversation.

"Justin and I passed this road a week ago and I'm still amazed at how protected the trees are in the south."

"You have an affinity for trees don't you? I understand now why you picked South Tserron University."

"While I do love nature, that's not the reason I went to South Tserron University."

"Oh?"

"I picked South Tserron because of you Jun."

Her answer caught me off guard and I could feel the blood rushing down my face as I tried to maintain my eyes on the road. I calmed myself down before continuing the conversation.

"Why me Anne?"

"You did offer your house for us to stay in."

"Wow, I don't know how to feel about that. I'm not sure whether or not I should be sad because you only stayed for my house or happy that you're staying at my house."

"Did you assume that it was a confession?"

"I mean, yeah. You're blunt whenever you speak and with a line like 'I stayed for you Jun' who wouldn't think that it's a confession?"

"Probably Justin."

I laughed loudly at her bold statement expecting her to laugh in return but she gave a cold, silent stare that made me take her seriously. I looked at her briefly and my smile disappeared as she asked me.

"What's so funny?"

"I mean, that was the joke right? Justin doesn't have a chance with you?"

"That's not a joke. I told him that I would stay with him through college and he just laughed it off."

Oh boy, it seems like my friend is the stupidest man on the planet. Justin couldn't be this dense right? It seems like Justin already ruined his chances with Anne but I want to be sure. Calmly, I asked Anne.

"So Justin does have a chance with you?"

"I don't normally give people second chances Jun"

I could already feel Justin's heart sinking to the bottom of the sea. The way she dismissed Justin was so casual that it seemed heartless. She would usually let someone else defuse the situation but since it's only the two of us, she didn't hold back.

"But Justin? He's a special case."

Huh?! Did she just, contradict herself? Maybe Justin isn't hopeless after all. I pushed on with the topic.

"Why does Justin have a second try?"

"Justin didn't grow up normally like you did. He was ignored constantly by his parents and it reflected on how insecure he was when you introduced me to him. If you give someone like him basic kindness, he's bound to misinterpret it as love. That's why he gets a second try."

The way Anne spoke felt off to me. She would usually say things with certainty in her voice but the way she said that phrase gave me a feeling that she hasn't moved on from Justin's story. I thought that Justin gave me closure for the time I left him but it seems like Anne was affected even more. I calmly asked Anne.

"How was everyone when I left?"

"More or less, the same. Raizen was spending more time with Pia and I spent a lot of my time consoling Justin He was quick to anger, careless, and ignorant when you confront him with his parents. He would rather avoid the topic, find a distraction, or get moody at you."

"I guess he was a handful huh? Then again, if I had a father like his, I'd act like Justin as well."

"........"

She kept calm while detailing my friends in my absence but when it came to Justin, she became quiet. Justin's story must have had a lasting impact on her and I hope that she would forgive me for dumping Justin on her to chase Evelyn. I should tread carefully if I have to ask her opinion on Evelyn I wouldn't want to reopen wounds.