"Why did you want to meet me today?" Colette tried her best to suppress the odd feeling and asked in a normal tone.


    James'' face flushed even deeper when he heard her question. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bag, leaning closer to whisper, "Colette, this is


    for you."


    Realizing it was a gift, Colette tried to hand it back immediately. But James seemed prepared for this, pulling a white knitted scarf out of the bag. The stitching was uneven; it was unmistakably handmade.


    "It''s homemade," he admitted, his cheeks still red. "I don''t have much, so I wanted to make something for you. This is my first time knitting, so it''s not perfect, but I hope you don''t mind."


    His thoughtful gesture,bined with his shy smile, was enough to melt anyone''s heart. Caught off guard, Colette hesitated as she looked at the scarf, then quickly waved her hands, her face warm with embarrassment. "I... I''m sorry, but I can''t ept it. A handmade scarf feels like... more than just a thank-you gift."


    Her refusal didn''t faze him—instead, he jumped on the chance to open his heart further. He blurted out, "Then, Colette, can you give me a chance? Let me be your boyfriend."


    In the year and a half of their friendship, James had always been kind to her, and she''d be lying if she said she''d never felt anything for him. But his sudden confession left her flustered, unsure how to respond.


    Seeing her cheeks turn pink, James took a step closer, his gaze softening. "Colette," he murmured, "can I put the scarf on you?"


    Still blushing, she did not reply. He took it as a silent agreement. A look of pleasant surprise shed across his eyes, and his smile deepened.


    He carefully wrapped the scarf around her neck. The length was perfect.


    His eyes brightened, and his smile widened as he gently wrapped the scarf around her neck, finding it the perfect length.


    Standing close, she could feel his warm breath against her ear, making her blush deepen. The white scarf suited her beautifully, blending into the winterndscape, while her rosy cheeks-whether from


    embarrassment or the cold-added a touch of liveliness.


    "So, Colette, are you willing to give me a chance?" James asked softly.


    His sudden question made her heart skip a beat.


    "A-A chance?" she stammered, immediately realizing how silly she sounded.


    Chuckling, he gently looked at Colette—she was like a deer in the headlights. He addressed her softly, as if she might run away in shock at any moment.


    He patiently professed his feelings again, "Give me a chance, Colette. Let me be your boyfriend. I love you. I love you more than anything.


    "I may not have much, but if you trust me and give me time, I promise I''ll give you the best life I can."


    As the word''s left him, James


    exhaled deeply, feeling as if a weight


    had lifted from his chest. The determination in his eyes softened as he watched her reaction, hoping she''d say yes.


    Judging from Colette''s response, he had a good feeling that she would agree to date him.


    This time, she was ready to speak. She looked up at him—this young man, one year her junior but taller than her by a head.


    Just as she was about to say yes, she felt an excruciating pain


    erupting in her head. Her face to


    pale and her lips trembled so


    violently that she couldn''t speak.


    Thest thing she saw before everything went dark was James'' face, his eyes


    wide with panic as he reached out to catch her.