Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 875

Wrapping his arms around Julia, Michael spoke with a low and soothing voice, "You know, I've always known you had a thing for movies. It was obvious ever since our first cinema trip. Julia, you should never worry about money - that's for me to handle. You just focus on what you love, and I'll be right by your side, supporting you, protecting you, always."

Julia nestled into Michael's shoulder, her voice a whisper, "Michael, do you know? Meeting you has been my greatest joy, beyond even my wildest dreams."

Without hesitation, Michael's lips met hers. Moonlight draped over them like a delicate veil.

At the entrance of the dormitory stood two rows of sycamore trees. It was deep autumn. Leaves fell gently from the trees, a beautiful and romantic shower of gold and red. It was like a scene straight out of a movie.

And there, tucked in the shadows, stood Alyssa, admitting to herself that, at that moment, she was green with envy.

Michael was not the man she had pictured. He worked so hard, made so much money, yet didn't spend a dime on himself. Instead, he lavished it all on Julia. That kind of selfless dedication was beyond what most people were capable of.

Alyssa felt a pang of guilt for having misjudged Michael earlier.

Watching the two of them locked in an embrace, a blush crept onto Alyssa's cheeks, and she quickly turned away. Then she scurried up the stairs.

That night, Julia came back late.

Alyssa lay in bed, feigning sleep, though she was wide awake. Scenes of Julia and Michael kissing kept playing in her mind along with their dreams of the future.

It all seemed like a perfect movie ending. Yet, for some reason, Alyssa's heart ached with a mix of envy and longing.

Over time, the three of them started hanging out together. Wherever Julia and Michael went, they included Alyssa. The more Alyssa saw Michael, the more he seemed different from the other guys she knew. Back then, Alyssa was the talk of the school with boys lining up just to ask her out. Every day, a new admirer would shower her with flowers and gifts.

Her dad was too busy to pay much attention to her school life.

Seeing Julia in love made Alyssa want that too. She began to imagine herself entering that warm, happy world that Julia and Michael shared.

She dated quite a few boys, but those flings never lasted more than a few days. Their conversation bored her, let alone holding hands or being close. While they treated her like a princess, only Michael would teasingly call her "girl," never pandering to her, always ready with a playful jab. Alyssa would often stomp her feet in frustration with him, but the more he irked her, the more she found herself inexplicably drawn to him.

He seemed to shine with a light that caught her attention, disrupting her heartbeat.

At that time, Alyssa didn't realize she was falling for Michael. She thought it was simple admiration. She was just a happy observer, a witness to Julia and Michael's happiness. Like someone flipping through a fairytale of love, never counting herself among its characters.

It was during a hiking trip that her view shifted.

She twisted her ankle, and Michael carried her down the mountain. From noon until dusk, until the sky dimmed to twilight, for six long hours.

It was the first time she had been so close to him for so long.