Chapter 607: Because You’re So Precious

At that moment, the person outside remained silent. Hannah assumed they were reluctant to help. Muttering to herself, she was about to put on her pants and go home. But unexpectedly, a packet of tampons appeared from under the door, delivered by a clean, slender hand.

She quickly thanked her rescuer. However, upon opening the restroom door to express her gratitude, she found the person gone, leaving no trace. She never knew who had helped her, never suspecting a boy, as she couldn't imagine a schoolboy entering the ladies' room.

Her eyes widened as she looked at Oscar. "It was you!" The realization dawned—the fingers she remembered resembled Oscar's.

Oscar nodded.

"Are you a pervert?" Hannah asked sharply.

Oscar's face contorted.

"Without me, could you have left the restroom then?"

"But that was the ladies' room!"

"Then who was I helping?" Oscar sputtered.

Hannah calmed down. "How did you know I was on my period?"

"You were at the school celebration rehearsal; so was I."

She had no memory of it. Oscar's expression revealed her obliviousness.

"After the rehearsal, I saw everyone leave except you," Oscar explained. "I was backstage, so you didn't notice me. I saw blood on your pants."

The mere thought embarrassed Hannah.

"I followed you, but you never saw me." Hannah had been so focused on her pants she'd noticed nothing else.

"You went into the ladies' room. I waited, but you didn't come out, so I made a noise and went to buy you tampons," Oscar said.

"At the school shop?" Hannah asked incredulously.

Oscar was only in second grade then—an age when boys are acutely conscious of their dignity. It must have been mortifying for him.

"Where else?" The nearest shop was miles away.

"Did the lady at the shop laugh at you?" Hannah asked, suddenly curious about his reaction. She imagined his face flushed red.

"It's hard to describe her expression," he admitted.

Hannah laughed, her heart warming. He was aloof with others, yet so considerate of her.

"Why didn't you tell me who you were? You know I had..." Hannah hesitated, then said, "...a bad impression of you."

"I knew. Charles was the only one you saw," Oscar said wryly.

Hannah felt no guilt. Charles was the good student; he was the bad boy. It seemed natural a girl would be drawn to the former. Besides, she'd been unaware of his feelings, even believing him hostile.

Oscar had numerous girlfriends then, never refusing anyone. Hannah recalled seeing him with other girls, remembering him never giving her a second glance.

Susan, a gossipy girl interested in the school's "big men," fueled the narrative. Charles had a spotless reputation, unlike Oscar, who was perpetually embroiled in gossip.

Susan once asked Hannah, "Oscar's had so many relationships, why isn't he interested in you?" She continued, "A loveable boy like him, why doesn't he choose you, the campus belle?"

"I'm with Charles; the whole school knows it."

"You think too highly of Oscar. He stole another boy's girlfriend last week. If he targets a girl, he'll take her without a care."

"I'm not interested in him," Hannah replied, dismissing both Oscar and Susan's words. Now, however, a pang of jealousy resonated within her.

"Oscar, you dated so many girls, why did you ignore me?"

"Are you jealous?" Oscar smiled.

"No. You were going to hook up with girls anyway, so why not me?"

"You wanted me to hook up with you?"

"Can you be serious?" Hannah snapped.

"Because you're so precious, and I didn't want to hurt you." Oscar smiled.

Hannah's heart throbbed. His simple words were profoundly moving.

"I knew you liked Charles. Why would I hurt you? By the way..." Oscar began, then stopped.

Hannah frowned.

"If you ignored me, I wouldn't accept it; I have dignity."

Annoyed, Hannah realized he'd been afraid of embarrassment.

"So you're saying you wouldn't have approached me if I hadn't made the first move?" Anger flared.

"Maybe," Oscar admitted honestly.

"You know Charles is a bad guy!" Hannah felt he'd let her walk into a dangerous trap, the pain of her past life resurfacing.

"I'm not a good guy either. Maybe I'm worse than Charles."

Hannah stared at him.

"I couldn't guarantee what I could offer would be better than Charles," Oscar said gravely. "I'm more brutal than you see. I once killed a hundred people to numb myself to feeling."

Hannah felt a pang of sorrow for him. No one is born bad or heartless; his mission had shaped him into the person he hated.

"Then why did you accept my approach?"

"Hannah, you can't imagine how much you've affected me. The cage restraining my feelings for you would collapse with a single glance from you."