r 6 Chapter 6 Chapter 6 : Love Is a Rebel After everything came out in the open at the dinner table , Hayden was visibly happier . He seemed revitalized , brimming with a new energy . He could finally be with Isabelle , out in the open , and their affection for each other burned brighter than ever . The thing about love is , it has a rebellious streak . The more people try to stop it , the more lovers fight tooth and nail to be together . I don't know if that's what happened with Hayden and Isabelle , but with his family , the media , and me- practically everyone - trying to keep them apart , their love only grew more intense and reckless . So when I , their biggest obstacle , willingly stepped aside , their relationship hit its honeymoon phase . Hard . Hayden barely even went to the office anymore , spending every day helping Isabelle study . She wasn't an academic . The schools in Fisherman's Village weren't great , and when she took her SATS , she only managed to get into a low - tier private college . And that was only after Hayden pulled some strings for her . Based on her actual scores , even community college would've been a stretch . So now , trying to study for the GRES was more than just a little challenging for her . But that didn't matter . Hayden was like an overpowered buff in one of their video games . All Isabelle had to do was point at what she didn't know , and suddenly , everything was so easy . In the library a few days later , Isabelle chewed on the end of her pen , staring miserably at the prep book splayed open in front of her . She pouted , her voice a whiny plea . " This is so hard . I can't do it . " Hayden patiently tried to soothe her . " It's not that hard . Don't panic , I'll go over it with you one more time ... " Isabelle tossed her pen down , giving up completely . " I don't have the foundation for this . You could explain it a hundred times and I still wouldn't get it . " " It's okay . I'll be right here with you . We can take it slow . " " But I wanna go see a movie . " Hayden sounded helpless . " The GRE is just around the corner . We really need to focus . After your test , I'll rent out a whole theater for you , how about that ? " " If I can't pass , I'll just drop it . It's not a big deal . As long as I have you , that's all I need . " Isabelle clung to his arm , laying on the cute - and - whiny act to try and get her way . I could clearly see that even 1/4 Chapter 6 though Hayden was giving in , a flicker of disappointment crossed his face . " Please ? Pretty please ... ? " In the end , he caved . Like a bird freed from its cage , Isabelle excitedly packed her things , chattering away about a new movie that just came out starring her favorite actor . She had to go support her idol . Hayden stood to the side , still smiling , but there was a faint , lingering trace of disappointment in his eyes . * What was it like for me , back when I was studying for the SATs ? * Oh , right . I remember now . He stubbornly refused to tell me who his crush was , so I made a bet with him out of spite : I would get into Capital University , no matter what , just to show him how amazing I was . During that time , I was like a mouse that hadn't eaten in ten days , diving headfirst into a silo of knowledge . I studied so hard I forgot to eat or sleep , completely losing track of the world around me . At first , Hayden didn't think much of it , but then things started getting weird . " Aubrey , wanna go to the amusement park this weekend ? " " Nope , I have to study . " " Aubrey , I have a basketball game after class on Friday . You should come cheer me on . " " Nope , I have to study . " " Aubrey , the new Justin Timberlake movie is out . Let me take you ? " I was so annoyed I wanted to kick him out . " Forget Justin Timberlake . Not even God himself could distract me from studying right now . " And God knows how much I loved Justin Timberlake back then . I knew every album , every concert tour , and I could even list off all his rumored girlfriends . Hayden got a little jealous at the time , huffing , " It's not like Justin Timberlake is going to marry you . " My head was full of chemical formulas and vocabulary words . Without looking up , I shot back , " It's not like * you * can marry me either . " He muttered something under his breath . I didn't catch it . " What did you say ? " He cleared his throat , covering . " Nothing . " 2/4 Chapter 6 I found him so annoying that I started lecturing him . " Why are you hanging around me all day ? Go spend time with the girl you like ! This isn't gonna work , you know . Guys have to take the initiative . Ask her to a movie , get dinner , go to an amusement park - anything ! A girlfriend isn't just gonna fall out of the sky for you . " Hayden plopped down in the seat next to me with a resigned sigh . " I get it now . Daring you to get into Capital University was me just shooting myself in the foot . Alright , spill . Which problem are you stuck on? " " Don't you dare . I can't be responsible for derailing your love life . " Hayden gently poked my forehead . " You getting into college is a big deal , too . Now hurry up , which one ? " " Hehehe , that's my Hayden . Never putting crushes before your best friend , " I said , pointing to the final monster of a physics problem on the test paper . " This one . " Hayden took the paper and studied it for a moment before lightly tapping my head with his pen . " Come look . It's like this ... " I was smart , a fast learner . He explained it once , and I completely understood . Hayden found a few more similar problems , and I solved them all , quickly and perfectly . I puffed up my chest like a little rooster that had just won a fight , preening as I waited for his praise . He looked at me , his face full of relief and.pride . " Not bad , kid . You're teachable . " I pouted . " That's mainly because I'm smart . It doesn't have much to do with who's teaching . " " So , for the Memorial Day weekend , how about we go camping ? " I shook my head with mock seriousness . " Nope . The fight isn't over yet , and we gotta keep grinding ! I'm not going anywhere until the SATs are done . " And just like that , I gave Hayden the cold shoulder for months . Later , when we were together , Hayden would often hold me and sigh . " I was actually miserable back then . I wanted to spend more time with you , but seeing you so driven , I was afraid I'd hold you back . " I asked him , " What if I was really dumb ? What if I just couldn't learn , no matter what ? " Hayden had laughed . " I'd never fall for a dummy . " * Is that so ? * * You really wouldn't fall for a dummy ? * Now , sitting in the most inconspicuous corner of the library , I quietly watched you teach her , again and again , refuting your own past words , again and again . 374 Chapter 6 At this point , I had long given up on him remembering me . I knew my time was running out . I just wanted a few more chances to see him , that's all . Isabelle , while not the sharpest tool in the shed , wasn't a bad person . She was a simple , pure - hearted girl . She could be a bit of a slacker , but she was also innocent and carefree , which was precisely what was so precious about her . Being with her would make life simple and fun . I was somewhat relieved that the melodramatic TV drama trope of the evil rival never played out between us . It seemed fate was still looking out for us . It gave Hayden a lively , adorable girl who had healed him during those three difficult years and who would now stay by his side for the rest of his life . How nice . Once their things were packed , Isabelle clung to his arm , and they left together . I waited a moment before getting ready to leave myself . But I had barely taken two steps when Hayden suddenly turned back , his eyes landing right where I was . 4/4