The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2585

Mara crouched discreetly in the corner, her gaze vigilantly sweeping over each
person who entered the auditorium.

As expected, it wasn't long before a tall, familiar figure showed up-the very
person she'd been longing to see for days.

Without a second thought, she burst from her hiding spot and planted herself
firmly in front of Balfour.

Balfour was striding purposefully toward the auditorium, irked by the sudden
cancellation of a planned rehearsal that had instead gathered all the students
here. He was less than pleased now.

His brow furrowed when an unexpected obstacle-a dazed-looking girl-blocked his
path. “What are you doing?” he asked, his expression as imperious as ever.
Mara was struck anew by his charisma. “I've been looking for you for ages. I
wanted to see you again sooner, but I never imagined it would take this long!
Sorry, our schools are miles apart, so it took me a while to get here,” she said,
her voice tinged with shyness as

she offered Balfour a timid smile.

Balfour's frown deepened. Was this girl mistaking him for someone else? She
was spouting complete nonsense. “I'm sorry, but I think you have the wrong
person. We don’t know each other.”

Mara’s heart sank. What was he talking about? They had just met a short while
ago. How could he completely forget her?

“Do you really not remember me? Or are you just pulling my leg? A few weeks
ago, you handed me your handkerchief,” she said, pulling out the neatly washed
and folded piece of cloth. “See, this is yours, isn't it? I've been keeping it ever
since, hoping to return it to you.”

Balfour squinted, recognizing his handkerchief, but he genuinely didn't recall the
girl before him. “Sorry, I don’t remember. Since I gave it to you, you might as well
throw it away. I never take back what I've given away, If that's all, please step
aside. I have things to do.”

Balfour was doing his best to mask his impatience, but Mara’s evident
disappointment was hard to ignore. He was always the center of attention, and a
small crowd had already begun to form around them.

The auditorium was a hive of student activity, and their conversation could hardly
go unnoticed.

Mara’s smile grew more strained. “Are you saying you don’t remember me at all?
That's impossible. You must be pretending, right?”

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She widened her eyes, searching Balfour's face for any trace of a lie.
Unfortunately, she

found none.

Balfour's expression clearly conveyed that he honestly didn’t recall her.
“Pathetic, clinging to a handkerchief from the school's heartthrob as if it means.
something. Does she not realize how many girls have tried the same thing? It's
just embarrassing!” A group of girls nearby began to snicker.

Balfour was the unattainable prize of their school, and many had tried to win his
affection to no avail.

Mara wasn't even particularly stunning, yet here she was deluding herself in
public. She

didn’t seem to understand her own worth.

“Can't her family even afford her a mirror? She should take a good look at herself
before trying to hit on our golden boy. What a joke.”

Mara clenched her fists tightly, knowing the day wouldn't be easy but not
expecting total disregard from Balfour, nor the public ridicule that was now her lot
to bear.

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