Sweet Nothings

1
Dating my childhood friend Jack, I drowned him in sweet nothings. Every time, his ears turned crimson. I was lost in our perfect romance until “Summer’s Simp Tapes” went viral. My voice, bright and sincere: “I love you.” Then Jack’s, laced with irritation: “If not for helping Ava, would I play this love game with Summer? Her ‘I love yous’ make me sick.”
His blush was an act. Love could be faked. I made no scene, just filed transfer papers and vanished.
A year later, Jack saw a viral video: two Ivy League freshmen confessing. A girl smiled. “I love you.” A boy blushed, his voice earnest: “I love you a hundred times more. More than yesterday, less than tomorrow.”
The night I clinched the top rank in my grade again, an audio file titled “Summer’s Simp Tapes” was dropped into the class group chat.
Seeing my name in the title, my stomach plummeted. My hand trembled as I clicked play.
It opened with my own voice—the sound of me being playful, earnest, and full of light.
“I love you.”
And then, Jack’s voice, dripping with disdain. “If it wasn’t to help Ava get her top rank back, you think I’d waste my time playing this little love game with Summer? Listening to her ‘I love you, I love you’ crap all day makes me want to puke.”
My hand clenched into a fist. My nails dug into my palm, a sharp, stinging pain. But I only squeezed tighter, as if the physical hurt could somehow numb the gaping wound in my heart.
The group chat exploded.
“Damn, Summer really was a simp. I heard her telling Jack ‘I love you’ like, a million times.”
“LMAO. The ultimate simp story. She got played so hard.”
“For real, I’ve never seen a girl so desperate. So cringe.”
“Wait, but didn’t Jack ask her out first? (Don’t come for me, just saying!)”
“Dude, everyone knows he only did it for Ava. Get Summer distracted, her grades slip, and bam—Ava’s back on top.”
“I was always wondering how the new girl could possibly win against the childhood sweetheart. Turns out he was just a double agent, lmao.”
“Team Ava and Jack forever! The new girl can see herself out.”
“Ava was always number one before Summer transferred. I’d be pissed too if she just showed up and stole my spot.”
“Ugh, Summer is so annoying! Always with the ‘You’re so cute!’ and ‘I love you so much!’ Who does she think she is, trying so hard to be this bubbly little ray of sunshine?”
“Finally! I feel so validated. I’ve hated her for ages, and now everyone else sees it too.”
…
They were feasting on the drama, completely forgetting—or maybe not caring—that the main character of their gossip was right there in the chat. My presence was irrelevant.
Ava and I were polar opposites. She was the class president, the perfect student, the girl everyone’s parents wanted their sons to date. I was the outgoing, cheerful one. I thought I got along with everyone.
Today, I learned that was just a story I told myself.
I silently left the group chat.
But a sliver of foolish hope remained. I called Jack. I needed to hear it from him, to ask if the recording was true. Did he get close to me just for Ava? Did being with me really make him sick to his stomach?
The phone rang for a long time before he picked up. The background was loud, filled with music and chatter.
Jack’s deep voice rumbled through the speaker. “Summer?”
I hesitated for a second. “Aren’t you supposed to be at home, resting?”
Before he could answer, a girl’s clear voice called out from nearby. “Jack, come on! It’s your turn!”
I recognized it instantly. It was Ava.
Jack spoke quickly into the phone. “Hey, Summer, something just came up. Can we talk at school tomorrow? Be good.”
He hung up before I could say a word. The line went dead, replaced by the monotonous dial tone. I stood there, clutching my phone, a bitter, acidic feeling rising in my throat.
My mind was a chaotic storm. Just then, my screen lit up with a notification. It was a video from Ava.
The scene was a dimly lit private room at a karaoke bar, the lights casting a hazy, intimate glow. Ava and Jack were playing a game, passing a bottle cap between their lips. A single die was balanced precariously on top of it.
Ava’s cheeks were flushed, her cherry-red lips holding the cap as she looked up at Jack with wide, glistening eyes, like a kitten waiting for a treat.
Jack smirked. “What genius came up with this game? Mouth-to-mouth bottle cap transfer? And the die can’t fall?”
The people around them thought he was backing out and started jeering, teasing him about being scared to play. Ava’s hopeful expression faltered, the light in her eyes dimming.
The next second, Jack leaned in. He didn't just take the cap; he plucked it from her lips, tossed it aside, and then pressed his mouth to hers in a deep, lingering kiss.
A handsome boy and a beautiful girl, lost in a passionate embrace. It was a picture-perfect, romantic moment.
The onlookers were stunned for a beat, then erupted into deafening cheers and whistles.
When the kiss ended, Jack glanced at the cap on the floor and chuckled, a lazy, roguish grin on his face. “Oops. The die fell.” He threw his hands up in mock surrender. “I lose.”
The video ended there. A few more texts from Ava popped up.
“Summer, congrats on getting first place again.”
“But oops, so sorry.”
“I heard you asked Jack out for sushi after school, and he said no?”
“That’s because he’s with me. I bombed my exams, you know. I’m the one who needs comforting, right?”
“You don’t mind if I borrow your boyfriend for the night, do you?”
I stared at the provocative messages and let out a hollow laugh.
Perfect. All the questions that had been swirling in my head now had their answers.
I had asked Jack to get sushi after school today. I was still buzzing from my exam results, practically bouncing as I walked. “That place has been open for six months and it’s always packed! I’ve been dying to try it.”
Jack had his hands shoved in his pockets, his mood clearly sour. He even looked annoyed. “It’s just first place. Why are you so happy?”
I tilted my head, looking at him with wide eyes. “Of course I’m happy! Northwood is one of the top four schools in the state. Nailing the top spot twice in a row here? Isn’t that something to be happy about?”
The dark cloud over his features only intensified. I finally registered that he wasn’t just in a bad mood; he was genuinely upset. Jack had scraped by with his usual barely-passing grades, but he never cared about school. It couldn’t be that.
So why was he unhappy? Was it because I did too well? Was his pride wounded?
Thinking that might be it, I took his hand, my voice sincere. “Grades aren’t everything. In my heart, you’re just Jack. Good grades or bad, I love you for who you are.”
He ripped his hand away from mine, his voice dripping with venom. “Summer, do you ever get sick of hearing yourself say ‘I love you’ all the time? It’s fucking disgusting.” He sneered. “Honestly, you’re the clingiest person I’ve ever met.”
I froze, stunned. A dull ache spread through my chest, mixed with utter confusion. I couldn’t figure out what I’d said wrong to make him lash out like that.
Is telling someone you love them… clingy and disgusting? My parents were deeply in love. They always told me, “Sweetheart, love is meant to be expressed. Don’t hide it away. Never be afraid to tell the people you care about that you love them.”
Was everything they taught me wrong?
Seeing my dazed expression, a flicker of regret crossed Jack’s face. His voice softened. “Sorry, Summer. I’m just… I’m tired. I want to go home and rest. We can get sushi another time, okay?”
I quickly forced a smile and waved my hand. “It’s okay, no problem.”
But the boy who said he wanted to go home and rest was actually on his way to comfort his childhood sweetheart.
It was only today that I finally understood.
A blush isn't always a sign of a fluttering heart.
And love, it turns out, can be faked.
I hid in the bathroom, turned the faucet on full blast, and sobbed until my chest ached and I felt light-headed. As I gasped for air, memories of my time with Jack flooded my mind.
A year ago, my dad’s company expanded, and I transferred to Northwood High. Jack was my desk mate. He slept through every class. The rumor was his family was loaded, so the teachers left him alone. As a seat partner, he wasn't bad. He was quiet when he slept, sometimes with his face buried in his arms, other times turned towards me.
The early morning sun would filter through the window, tracing the sharp, sculpted lines of his face. His eyelashes were long, his nose straight and strong, his lips thin. I’d rest my chin on my hand and just… stare. God, he’s ridiculously handsome, I’d think.
One day, he opened his eyes without warning. Our gazes locked. I froze, but he just smiled.
It was the first thing he ever said to me.
“Like what you see?”
My heart hammered against my ribs. My face went hot, and I immediately looked down, pretending to be engrossed in my textbook.
After that, Jack pursued me relentlessly. Soon, we were together. He was my first boyfriend, my first real crush. I took our relationship seriously.
And to be fair, he played the part of a perfect boyfriend flawlessly. He showered me with gifts, planned surprises, and created romantic moments. His study was a fortress even his parents weren’t allowed in, but he gave me free rein. When I had cramps and craved wontons from a little shop on the south side of the city, he’d brave the freezing winter night, racing across town on his motorcycle just to bring me a warm bowl.
…
Each memory was like a sugar-coated pill of poison.
The last of my hope died.
I composed myself, splashed my face with cold water, and knocked on my dad’s study door. Even though I’d held an ice pack to my eyes for what felt like an eternity, he knew instantly.
“Sweetheart, were you crying? What happened?”
I looked down at my feet. “Dad, I don’t want to go to Northwood anymore. The pressure is just… it’s too much. I want to transfer.”
He agreed without a second thought, ruffling my hair with his big, gentle hand. “Okay. Wherever you want to go, sweetheart.” He said softly, “Just do your best in school. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Even if the sky falls, Dad will be here to hold it up for you, you know that?”
His warmth and concern made my nose tingle, and I had to fight back a fresh wave of tears.
When Mom heard I wanted to transfer, she didn't ask why. She just supported my decision unconditionally. That night, before I went to sleep, she slipped into my bed, saying she wanted to keep me company. I curled up in her arms, breathing in her familiar, comforting scent. I thought I’d be up all night, but I fell asleep almost instantly.
The next day, Dad went to the school to handle the transfer paperwork. I was going to go with him, but he stopped me and pressed a credit card into my hand. “I’ve got this. You go have some fun. Go shopping, buy whatever you want. Don’t you dare try to save me money.”
I bought a few blind boxes and ended up in a bookstore. My favorite author had a new book out, and they had one last copy.
Just as I reached for it, a delighted voice came from behind me. “Jack, look! They still have one!”
Without hesitating, I grabbed the book. I turned to face Jack and Ava. Standing together, they looked like a perfect couple, straight out of a magazine.
Jack looked surprised to see me. “Summer? Why aren’t you in class?”
I ignored him and started walking towards the cashier.
Ava rushed to block my path, her hand grabbing my arm. Her expression was pitiful, her voice a soft plea. “Summer, could you please let me have this book? I’ll pay you ten times the price for it. I’ve been to every bookstore in the city today, and it’s sold out everywhere. This is the last one.”
“Sorry,” I said, my voice flat. “I’m not short on cash.”
Ava’s face went pale. She looked humiliated, and her eyes welled up with tears.
Jack frowned at me. “It’s Ava’s birthday today. Just be the bigger person and let her have it. They’ll restock it in a few days.”
I couldn’t help but retort, “Then why can’t Ava wait a few days? I got to it first. First come, first served. What’s the problem?”
Jack’s face turned to stone, his eyes icing over. “Are you really this petty? Do you have to be jealous of everything? Is it really worth it, Summer?” His tone was mocking. “Honestly, are you even a fan of this author? Or are you just doing this because Ava likes them, trying to get under her skin?”
Behind him, Ava shot me a triumphant little smile.
I looked straight at Jack, my gaze unwavering. “So that’s how you see me.”
Maybe it was the seriousness in my eyes, but for a split second, he looked flustered. He quickly regained his composure, his expression softening as he tried to placate me. “Come on, Summer, don’t be like this. As soon as it’s back in stock, I’ll buy it for you first thing. Okay?”
Suddenly, the whole thing felt utterly pointless.
I shoved the book into his chest.
“I don’t want it anymore,” I said, each word deliberate and clear.
I don’t want to like you anymore, Jack.
From this day on, we are strangers. The mountains will stand silent, and the fields will stretch on, indifferent.
I didn’t want to risk running into them again, so I transferred to South Crest High in the neighboring city. It was just as prestigious as Northwood. I’ve always been adaptable, and I caught up with my new classes quickly. This time, I kept my head down, buried myself in my books, and avoided socializing.
Then the mid-term rankings were posted. I’d accidentally landed in first place again.
Students were clustered around the bulletin board, buzzing.
“Whoa, am I seeing things? Did our academic king Leo actually drop to second place?”
“You’re not blind. I see it too.”
“Seriously, who is this Summer? I’ve never even heard of her.”
“She’s in our class. Super pretty, but kind of cold. Doesn’t talk much.”
“I think she’s the new transfer student. From Northwood High, I heard.”
“Oh, from Northwood? Say no more.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Why are you hyping up another school?”
“Well, looks like Leo’s got some real competition now. This is gonna be fun to watch, hehe.”
They chattered excitedly, but my heart sank.
Great. So South Crest had a reigning academic king, too.

First, search for and download the MotoNovel app from Google. Then, open the app and use the code "248244" to read the entire book.

MotoNovel

App Store

Google Play

Novellia

App Store

Google Play