Chapter 2
639 Words
"Mom, I didn't apply to any schools in the country," I said.
My mom froze. "Not in the country? Then where?"
"Asterbridge."
The ladle hung in midair as drops of soup fell onto the table.
"Weren't you going to Newford City with Ethan?" she asked. "Did you two have a fight?"
I could not blame my mother for asking.
Ethan and I grew up together. I used to cling to him like crazy.
In middle school, he got early admission to the city's best high school. I didn't make the cut. I cried and refused to go home.
He came looking for me, laughed at the state I was in, then draped his school jacket over my shoulders and sighed.
"Why are you crying?" he asked. "Worst case, I'll bomb a couple of questions on the exam and end up in the regular program with you."
Hearing that, I panicked—I was terrified he'd actually throw away his future for me. So I kept my eyes open and studied. Every night, I stayed up past midnight drilling practice questions.
Somehow, I scraped past the cutoff and got into that school too.
Clearly, he was thrilled, but he still sighed and teased me.
"You really love following me around, don't you? What about college? I'm going to Westbridge, you know. Think you can handle that?"
Westbridge was probably out of reach.
But I still mumbled, "Then I'll apply to a school in the same city—somewhere close to Westbridge."
He ruffled my hair and laughed. "Fine, fine. You'll stay close to me. Happy now?"
I looked up and met his eyes.
That day, his smile was beautiful—his dark eyes seemed to hold an entire galaxy.
My cheeks burned. And I was more certain than ever that I'd follow him to college.
We were young, and both our families were happy to see us together.
But now, I did not want that anymore.
Just like I couldn't be bothered to dig into why he'd changed his dream school for Lila while I would always be the girl arranged "next door" in his life.
"Mom, I'm serious." I wiped my tears and forced a smile. "
I didn't want to chase after Ethan anymore. HUA has the curating program I've always wanted. I want to choose my own path."
My mom didn't ask further. She just looked at me for a moment. Then she set the chicken soup in front of me.
"Is Asterbridge cold?" she asked. "I'll buy you a thick down coat."
"I haven't even gotten an admission offer yet."
"My daughter will get in for sure!"
I lowered my head and took a sip of soup. My tears nearly fell into the bowl.
I refreshed i********:.
Lila had posted: Someone's trying to steal my person again! Isla is my best friend. Why does he always have to compete with me over her?
Ethan replied almost instantly.
Ethan: She's my girlfriend.
Back and forth, under a minute, their comments flooded the screen.
A swarm of mutual friends tagged me, joking that the academic power couple was fighting over me again.
I used to think it was sweet. Now it only seemed ridiculous.
They fought over me on social media. They decided what I ate at the dinner table. They chose my school over the phone.
And not once, not a single time, had either of them actually asked me.
The farewell dinner was on Sunday afternoon. Ethan had organized it.
Before leaving, I picked out a dark green piece to wear. It was not the one Ethan said looked good on me, and it was not the one Lila said made me look slimmer.
I had bought it on sale myself. The tags were still on, and I had never found the chance to wear it.
- Writer
