Regarding Maureen and Liam, although they did not formally announce their relationship to everyone, their affection for each other couldn't help but leak out in their actions.
So, a week before the school celebration, gossip swirled across the entire building that Maureen and Liam were dating.
This news also reached Richard's ears.
Although he had a vague guess that this day might come during that night's intensive training, when the rumours spread like a slow-acting poison, bit by bit invading the air around him, he still chose to cover his ears and not to listen.
Not until one day, seeing both of them far away entering the school gate, getting out of the same car, the coat on Maureen was Liam's, and they were holding hands.
Only then did it hit Richard's brain, that thread of hope had completely snapped.
He stood in the hallway, trying his best to keep a blank face, yet his complexion turned grim bit by bit in the cold wind.
