Reborn Before Our Graduation Trip

"It wouldn't be convenient for a bunch of guys like us to have a woman tagging along, right?" I reasoned.

In this life, I didn't want to have anything to do with Britney anymore. So, I figured I might as well leave her out entirely.

But the others, who had been single their entire lives, reacted strongly.

One of them argued, "Why not? Britney said she'd bring some girls. None of us dated anyone in high school. What if we hit it off with someone during the graduation trip? Maybe we'll meet the right one and settle down for real."

"When you get to college, there'll be plenty of chances to date. But high school graduation trips only happen once in a lifetime. What matters more, your bros or women?" I countered.

After some discussion, the group of young guys figured that bringing women along would actually lower their chances of running into other women on the road. In the end, they all agreed not to bring Britney.

All I could say was that they hadn't suffered the excruciating pain that love would bring yet. They were still too naive.

I merely smiled and said nothing.

Originally, I thought that with Britney's proud personality, she would definitely have no interest in contacting us again once she was rejected.

But to my surprise, she called me directly and said, "Let's make a bet. If you lose, you let me join the graduation trip."

I frowned. I really didn't want to have anything to do with her in this life.

When I didn't answer, she chuckled lightly and taunted me, "You're not scared of losing, are you?"

"You pick the competition. Just don't cry when you lose," I replied.

"You're the one who shouldn't cry," she shot back.

…

The next day, Britney asked me to meet at a shopping mall. She was already waiting for me there.

She looked just as beautiful as I remembered. In fact, she was a fine sight for sore eyes by just standing there gracefully. Passersby couldn't help but glance in her direction.

Meanwhile, I stared at the huge poster that read "Couples' Kissing Contest" and fell into deep thought.

The rules were simple enough—whoever could kiss their partner the longest would win. But then…

The contest was meant for couples. Britney and I were single. So, what couple?

Britney walked over calmly and said, "I've already signed the two of us up. As long as we get into the top three, you win."

"Shouldn't the two of us be competing against each other?" I asked with a frown.

She replied steadily, "We are competing against each other. I get to pick the competition."

So, she was playing word games with me. Well played, indeed.

She probably thought this would make me back out. But compared to a ten-day trip where we'd be eating and staying together the entire time, enduring a kiss for a few dozen minutes was nothing. So, joining the contest was practically a guaranteed win for me.

Besides, after being married to Britney for more than 30 years, I was long used to it.

We stood facing each other and locked eyes.

I had looked at that face for over 30 years. I couldn't deny that Britney was exceptionally beautiful. She was especially pretty now at 19 years old, when she was in the prime of her youth. Her features were delicate, and she had flawless skin. She was like a breath of fresh air, invigorating and mesmerizing.

But I had already seen through her. Contrary to her attractive appearance, she was a woman with a heart of stone. No matter how beautiful she was, my heart wouldn't stir again.

The contest began.

Before I even moved, Britney, who seemed very determined to win, grabbed my collar and kissed me.

The moment our lips touched, a sweet, almost cloying taste spread through me. My Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily. Britney was shockingly proactive. She even took the chance to slip past my teeth with her tongue to tease mine.

The heat nearly made me want to flee. Her hand brushed my earlobe, sending a tingling sensation through me that made it hard to pull away.

As we paused to breathe, I saw the playful look in her eyes. Memories of the lessons from my previous life flashed through my mind again.

Britney was both the top student and the campus belle of our high school. Countless guys full of youthful vigor lined up to give her love letters. Whenever she passed by the basketball court, I would deliberately shoot a three-pointer just to catch her attention.

But Britney rejected every single boy. Instead, she tended to approach the ones who didn't show much enthusiasm toward her. In this life, at this moment, my indifference must have sparked her desire to conquer me.

Britney seemed a little carried away. The hand clutching my shirt tightened.

The slight pain helped cool my heart completely. This was nothing more than a trick to make me fall for her.

So, in the next second, I pushed her away.

Britney stared at me in shock with disbelief written all over her face. From the looks of it, she couldn't imagine anyone rejecting intimacy with her.

With a calm expression, I said, "I lost."

After only a moment, Britney composed herself and gave me a smile. "Then, I'm really looking forward to our first trip together."

I turned and left, not wanting to stay around her any longer.

But the sweet, cherry-like taste of Britney's lips and tongue still lingered in my mouth. It wouldn't go away.