Chapter 6 I was on the guy's broad back , staring at the sweat sliding down his profile , my ears burning This was the second time I'd needed his help . The first was during my allergic reaction - he'd carried me to the hospital as fast as possible . The nurses said he'd stayed with me until I was out of danger . But when I woke up , only a hired caregiver was there . I wanted to thank him properly and asked for his contact info . But the caregiver said , " I don't have it either . That young man had an emergency and left in a hurry , paid me to watch you , then took off . " Breathing in his familiar winter pine scent , I knew he was the same person from last time . I worked up the courage . " Um , can I follow you on Insta ? I never properly thanked you for last time . " The guy chuckled , the vibration running through his back . " Sure , but how exactly do you wanna thank me ? " I'd lost too much blood and had heat stroke - my brain was fuzzy . I heard myself say , " Whatever you want . I'll do anything I can . " Before losing consciousness , I heard him say , " You said it , little crybaby- " " Little crybaby , stop crying . They're all gone . " I seemed to dream of my kindergarten self , a chubby little boy standing beside me saying : " I've got candy . Little crybaby , can you stop crying ? " Tiny me immediately stopped crying , staring at the candy in the chubby boy's hand with wide , watery eyes . " All … all for me ? " " Yeah , thanks for helping me scare away the mean kids . " The chubby boy smiled so hard his eyes crinkled , little dimples showing . I ate a piece of candy , smiling until my eyes crinkled too . The chubby boy's pudgy hand wiped the tears from my eyes . " Little crybaby , don't cry anymore . You're prettier when you smile ~ " " But we can't fight back ! If I don't cry , how else can I scare them away ? " I said , sucking on the candy . From early on , I knew crying babies got milk and more attention from teachers . So whenever I got picked on , I'd wail at the top of my lungs . The other kids would run away or get scolded by teachers . But it also meant I had no friends except for one chubby boy who'd play with me . The chubby boy held my little hand super seriously . " I'll protect you ! I'll learn martial arts to protect you , okay ? " I nodded casually , but the chubby boy beamed . " Little crybaby , you gotta wait for me ~ " But later , the chubby boy who promised to protect me disappeared . " Little crybaby- " I slowly opened my eyes to see a handsome , stern face with deep , worried eyes . 4.6 % Chapter 6 " Chubby ? The guy relaxed and smiled , familiar dimples appearing . " You finally remembered . " " But let me reintroduce myself - I'm Ethan Sterling , Jefferson University business major , sophomore in the honors program . Your direct upper classman . Iven after all these years apart , being with him felt like hanging out with an old friend .