No Substitutes for the Bigshots' Dream Girl Anymore!-Chapter 1753: Arnold Simmons Extra (119)
She truly began to laugh, then, as if sharing a secret, spoke softly: "Then just one kiss, okay?" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂
A blush of shy redness painted her smiling face, her eyes pure and clear, and her lips moist and rosy.
Arnold Simmons’ gaze carried a tender, deep affection as he extended an arm to encircle her waist, drawing her entirely into his embrace, choosing to follow his heart: "One is not enough."
He chuckled softly and lowered his head, placing a kiss on her forehead, trailing downward bit by bit.
First to the corner of her eye, then her cheek, and finally...
His arm tightened around her waist, his eyes brimming with restrained emotions, like sunlight reflecting on the ocean’s surface—sinking, surging.
Hannah closed her eyes, her head slightly dizzy, her grip on his waist weakening gradually, almost unable to stand. Arnold Simmons held her close as he stepped back until her back pressed against the trunk of a tree.
He protected her head, his hands cupping her cheeks slightly lifting, allowing himself even greater abandon.
From the distant pavilion came music, transitioning to a gentler melody, as if the scent of flowers had mingled with the wind, orange soda cracked open under sunlight, threads of cool air tinged with sweetness.
He pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers. Hannah opened her eyes and met his gaze—once dark and brooding, now as bright as the stars.
"Arnold Simmons," she whispered softly, her voice delicate, hoarse.
Arnold Simmons responded with a sound, then leaned down to kiss her again.
...
During her first-year college break, Hannah returned briefly to Harbor City.
The apartment in her old neighborhood was still hers, but it had been unoccupied for so long that a layer of dust had settled inside, making cleaning a cumbersome chore.
She had no plans to stay long in Harbor City, so she chose a nearby hotel to rest instead.
The high school class group chat buzzed the next day—news of a meet-up organized by the vice-class president. Anyone who saw the message was welcome to attend, with the event lasting from ten in the morning to eight at night.
As soon as the message was sent, Tessa Thompson called Hannah to check if she had arrived in Harbor City.
Hannah replied she had arrived and shared the name of her hotel.
It happened to be close to Tessa’s home, within walking distance.
University life, compared to high school, afforded far more freedom—no need to wear uniforms daily, and fewer restrictions overall. After a semester, changes in everyone, big or small, were already evident.
Yet traces of their old selves remained visible.
This class reunion gathered thirty-two attendees in total; the rest either had no time or were no longer in touch.
The meetup lasted from day through evening, and during a venue change, they happened to pass by the main gate of their old high school.
Though it was holiday season, senior year students were still attending classes as usual.
The school gate was shut tight, but the lights in the Grade 11 classroom building were aglow. When the familiar recess bell rang, the entire building seemed to come alive, filled with the noise and playful chatter echoing outward.
Joe Taylor sighed as he observed all this and remarked, "Ah, youth!"
Gone, never to return again.
After the class gathering dispersed, Hannah met again with Tessa Thompson for a solo outing the next day.
Harbor City hadn’t changed much; life remained slow-paced. Recently, a new musical fountain had been built by the riverside, with performances every Friday night.
But today was only Monday.
Hannah said, "It’s okay. Next time I come back, we’ll go see it together."
"Alright." Tessa Thompson seemed reluctant to part. "Hannah, are you leaving tomorrow?"
Hannah nodded slightly.
Arnold Simmons didn’t attend the class reunion this time.
Jimmy Simmons wasn’t someone easy to deal with or dismiss.
