The Superstar Thinks I Died

The Superstar Thinks I Died

Author: Jonathan Lewis

Chapter 5: The Handshake

“The VJ assigned to follow Mr. Carter had an emergency. You go instead.”

My heart jumped. I looked at Ryan Carter in surprise.

He wore a simple hoodie, his expression cool and distant.

The wind ruffled his bangs, and for a moment, the eighteen-year-old boy in my memories seemed to reappear.

It was surreal—like he’d walked straight out of the past, the years folding up between us.

“Why are you called Natalie and not Natasha? Natalie Norris? Natalie Baker?”

“What’s the homeroom teacher thinking? Peer tutoring? Your grades are worse than mine—who’s helping who?”

“You’re really annoying. Whether I study or not is none of your business.”

“I’m going to sleep. Don’t wake me in class.”

“Na-ta-lie.”

His voice echoed in my mind, a weird mix of irritation and something softer I could never quite name.

...

The staff member gave me a strange look.

I snapped out of it and nodded. “Okay.”

I tried to sound unfazed, but my hands shook as I grabbed the camera strap.

Camera in hand, I hurried over.

Ryan Carter paused, reached out politely.

“Hello, Ms. Chen.”

His handshake was formal, practiced, but I noticed the smallest tremor—like he wasn’t sure if this was a reunion or a first meeting. His thumb brushed my palm, lingering a second too long, like he was trying to memorize the shape of my hand.

I shook his hand. “Hello.”

Skin touched skin. His long, beautiful hand was instantly damp.

Ryan froze, his hand trembling slightly as he looked into my eyes—surprised, confused.

I caught my breath. For a moment, time stood still.

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