SWNOVELS Chapter 190
Harrison glanced at Jocelyn, who seemed a touch uneasy.
"Mom, she's in the car with me right now," he said.
"Ah?" Elise was clearly surprised, her voice tinged with excitement as she asked, "Jocelyn's there with you?"
Jocelyn, feeling compelled to say hello, looked at Harrison for a brief moment before calling out in a clear voice, "Hello, Elise." "Oh, Jocelyn, you're with Harrison!" Elise's tone instantly lifted, "You're on break, aren't you? How are things going? All good?"
Jocelyn felt a pang of guilt in response to Elise's warm concern.
Neither Harrison nor Elise had ever harbored any resentment towards her.
"I'm doing quite well."
"It must be stressful, leading a graduating class. Now that you've got a bit of a reprieve, take some time to relax. If you find a moment, bring your folks over to our place. We've been looking forward to having you all over."
Elise's sincerity was palpable even through the phone, devoid of any pretense.
Jocelyn's heart swirled with mixed feelings, her guilt intensifying.
"We're actually on the highway right now, taking a road trip. We'll plan a visit after we get back," Harrison intervened before Jocelyn could answer a question she wasn't sure how to address.
Upon hearing this, Elise, ever so understanding, replied, "Alright, you two enjoy yourselves. Stay safe, and Harrison, take good care of Jocelyn, okay?"
"Will do."
"Then I won't keep you from driving."
After Elise hung up, the car fell into a sudden silence.
Harrison looked at Jocelyn and said, "Sorry about that."
Jocelyn blinked, "Hmm?"
"I haven't figured out how to tell my folks we've split up, so..." Harrison shrugged helplessly, "they think we're still together."
Jocelyn knew he hadn't mentioned it.
She couldn't blame him; she was responsible too.
They had made promises too hastily, and their parents had met, everything seeming so harmonious. But in the end, it was she who had made a mess of things.
In fact, she had caused trouble for Harrison.
Her fickleness had brought inexplicable trouble to others.
"It's my fault," Jocelyn admitted, taking the blame, "Without me, you wouldn't be in this predicament."
She completely understood Harrison's feelings. If Melvin was a cad, in Harrison's case, she was no different.
She had acted on her whims without considering the person who had to face the consequences with her.
Harrison laughed, "The mistake isn't yours; it's mine. I'm just not the one you fancy."
Jocelyn's heart clenched as if something had struck her fiercely.
It's easy to be fearless when you're loved.
She had never considered the feelings of the one she didn't love.
After another four hundred miles or so, they finally reached their first stop, Kangdale City.
They had booked the rooms and breakfast in advance and settled into their rooms.
Jocelyn and Ursula shared a room, and after unpacking, the group headed out for dinner.
The B&B boasted a stunning view, allowing them to watch the golden sunset from the window, erasing the fatigue of the journey.
As they savored the breathtaking scenery and dined on local delicacies, they felt a newfound appreciation for the beauty of their homeland. Jocelyn sent her parents photos of the gorgeous views, and when Ursula insisted on taking her picture, she posed without hesitation. "Harrison, come join us," Ursula called out.
Harrison hesitated, glancing at Jocelyn. He doubted she wanted to take a photo with him.
"I'd rather not," Harrison declined, wanting to spare Jocelyn any discomfort.
"Oh, come on. We won't take a full-faced shot, just silhouettes. It will look amazing here," Ursula insisted, pulling Harrison over.
She positioned him and instructed Jocelyn on how to stand.
They weren't facing each other but instead stood with their heads lowered. Ursula, clearly excited, was buzzing with enthusiasm.
The scene reminded Jocelyn of the image of teaching in the village, captured in a photo by Ursula.
"It's gorgeous," Ursula said, showing them the picture on her camera, "Look, isn't it stunning?"
The two stood facing each other, their faces not visible, but the contours of their features were distinct. They were positioned to cast a heart-shaped silhouette in the setting sun.
"If it's okay, could you send me that photo?" Harrison asked.
"Of course," Ursula replied, "I took it for both of you, so you should have it."
Ursula had captured many shots, some of Jocelyn alone, some with Harrison. None showed their faces, but each beautifully captured Jocelyn's essence.
That night, Ursula sorted through the pictures and sent them to both Jocelyn and Harrison.
"You two really make a lovely pair," Ursula mused, flipping through the photos in bed.
Fresh from the shower, Jocelyn sat on the bed's edge, watching Ursula show off the day's haul.
Reflecting on it, she realized that despite the short time she'd known Harrison, they shared countless captured moments.
It seemed that every time her mood soured, Harrison was there to lift her spirits.
"Hey, have you really not considered giving him a chance?" Ursula suddenly fixed her gaze on Jocelyn, "I'm almost falling for him myself."
Jocelyn, drying her hair, teased, "Then why don't you go after him?"
"No way," Ursula flipped onto her back, staring at the ceiling with her phone in hand, "I know he's got eyes for you. Chasing him would be pointless. Besides, I think you two still have a shot, so I can't be meddling with that."
Jocelyn sighed, "You think there's still a chance for me and him?"
"Absolutely," Ursula said, sitting up with a serious air about her. "Haven't you noticed the way he looks at you? There's still a twinkle in his eye. Even if you're not into him, he's not going to get over his feelings for you that quickly."
Jocelyn pursed her lips, folding her towel in her hands. "I don't want to hurt anyone else."
"You see it as hurting him, but he sees it as hope," Ursula hopped onto Jocelyn's bed and sat cross-legged. "Be honest with me, are you willing to give him a chance? To give both of you a chance?" Jocelyn looked at Ursula, her expression vacant.
"Or is it that you just can't let go of that guy?" Ursula frowned. "After all he's put you through, isn't it enough?"
"It's not that I haven't let go," Jocelyn took a deep breath, feeling a pang in her chest. "It's just... I don't want to go hurting someone else."
Ursula understood her, patting her on the shoulder. "Let him go. No matter how deep your feelings are, they won't withstand the pain he's causing you. The more you let this happen, the less you mean to him. Why bother? In the end, love turns into companionship. You have the choice between someone who loves you and someone you love. Maybe choose someone who loves you. At least you won't be in so much pain."
Jocelyn spread the towel out again. "I can't just keep hurting people. I've already hurt Harrison once. Until I'm sure, I don't want to be irresponsible again."
"Yeah, I get you," Ursula sighed. "Just let things take their course. If he still has such strong feelings for you, try to be a bit more accepting. I can tell, he really loves you. If you two got together, I bet you'd be really happy."
Jocelyn really didn't dare to think about those things now. It wasn't that she was rejecting others because of Melvin; she just didn't want to make mistakes anymore.
Harrison truly had feelings for her, and that's precisely why she couldn't afford to hurt him again.
She couldn't just lead Harrison on because he had feelings for her.