Chapter 142

I shook my head and said, "No need."

I gave Savannah a look, then glanced at Brandon, signaling her to keep him occupied.

Savannah immediately got the hint, nodding slightly at me. Only then did I feel comfortable enough to leave.

I didn't see Royce in the restroom, but then he texted me: "Outside."

I pushed open the restaurant door and stepped out. Royce was standing under a tree, smoking and looking at the street.

"Why'd you call me out here?"

Royce looked at me and chuckled, "Aren't you tired of listening to him brag about you?"

I nodded, "Yeah, but isn't it rude to leave Carl and Savannah behind?"

"What's the big deal? They can come out too."

I couldn't help but laugh at his logic.

"Do you actually have something to say, or can I go back now?"

I turned to leave, but he grabbed my wrist. "Wait, keep me company for a bit."

I turned back and saw the streetlights reflected in Royce's eyes, looking at me intently. It was hard to refuse.

After thinking for a moment, I nodded, "Alright, but only for half an hour."

After all, being in the restroom for more than half an hour would be suspicious.

I glanced at my wrist and then looked up at Royce's face. He seemed completely at ease, not finding anything wrong with holding my hand.

I finally reminded him, "Aren't you forgetting something?"

I gave him a hint with my eyes, but Royce just said, "Nope, I did it on purpose."

I was speechless. I tried to gently pull my wrist away, but he held on tight.

After a moment, I decided to let him hold my hand.

He led me across the street. The scenery felt oddly familiar, but I couldn't place it.

"Where are we?"

I asked, curious.

Royce glanced back at me, "You don't recognize it?"

I shook my head honestly. Royce seemed a bit annoyed and let go of my hand.

I didn't understand why he was suddenly upset. Suncrest City is huge; it's normal not to know every place. Why was he overreacting?

I decided not to cater to his mood and continued following him silently.

We turned into a familiar alley, and I saw a few small shops. Suddenly, it hit me.

This was near my high school.

But it had changed so much that I didn't recognize it.

As we walked out of the alley, I saw my high school campus. I got excited and asked, "This area has changed so much. There weren't this many tall buildings before."

Royce glanced at me, "Carl booked the restaurant. As soon as I arrived, I knew where we were."

"Unlike you, forgetting things so easily."

His tone was sarcastic. "Royce, seriously? Why are you so petty?"

"I just didn't recognize the high school. You're not my teacher, why do you care so much?"

He looked a bit hurt and fell silent.

I walked into a familiar shop, but most were closed for the holidays.

A few food stalls were open, and I excitedly bought a few things.

But they didn't taste the same as when I was younger, just like how the area looked different from my memories.

We walked out of the alley and reached the high school gate. I looked at the new buildings and felt nostalgic. "It's really different now."

Back then, Royce and I dated in this school. After school, my parents would pick me up, and we'd let go of each other's hands at the gate.

If my parents didn't come, he'd hold my hand and walk me home. Those walks were the happiest times.

But it had been a long time since I felt that way.

Royce stared at the school for a while, probably remembering those days too.

He reached out and grabbed my hand.

I was startled, "What are you doing?"

Royce said, "Didn't you say things are different now? Let me show you that some things are still the same."

He held my hand and walked down the path we used to take home.

I wasn't sure what he meant-if he was the same or something else...

I let him hold my hand for a long time before realizing, "Shouldn't we head back?"

Royce looked at me, "I just wanted to show you that nothing has really changed."

My cheeks turned red, and my heart pounded, ready to burst from my chest.

I didn't know how to respond, so I just nodded.

He smiled and held my hand tightly as we walked back.

Halfway, Brandon called me, "Honey, where did you go? You've been gone a while. Weren't you just going to the restroom?"

He heard the traffic noise and asked, "Did you go outside?"

I glanced at Royce, his eyes focused ahead.

"Yeah, this is near my old high school, so I came to see if I could find some of my favorite snacks."

"By the way, have you seen Mr. Castillo? He hasn't come back."

I looked at our clasped hands and thought, "He's right here." "Mr. Castillo is with me. Did you forget? We were high school classmates."

"Mr. Castillo reminded me this was our high school area, so I came to check it out. I'll be back at the restaurant soon."

Brandon finally hung up.

In front of the restaurant, I gently wiggled my fingers, and Royce understood, letting go of my hand.

I avoided his gaze and hurried inside.

Back in the private room, the warmth made my blush even more noticeable. I took a deep breath.

Brandon stared at me, "Honey, why is your face so red?"

I instinctively touched my face, "It's cold outside. The temperature's pretty low."

I handed him some snacks I bought, "Here, try some of our high school flavors."

Brandon took them, and just then, Royce walked in.

"I have to go. This meal's on me. Sorry to leave early."