Chapter 3
Under the dim glow of the streetlamp, he grabbed my wrist–tightly. His voice was full of helplessness.
“Scarlett, what is going on with you tonight?”
“Nothing. I’m just done.”
de
I pried his fingers off calmly and kept walking.
1 Manhole trelents ndorento takie me, whispers from classmates floated through the air.
“What happened? Think Scarlett’s just jealous?”
“Maybe. I swear I saw her eyes go red just now.
The boys who had just been crowding around Lily were quick to jump to her defense.
“Jealous? Of what? She’s the rich girl who has everything. What’s there to be jealous of?”
“Exactly. Jason didn’t even do anything. He just gave Lily stuff Scarlett didn’t want. Honestly, I think she just can’t stand not being the center of attention.”
I kept walking, footsteps heavy, my shadow stretching longer and longer in the orange light.
But no matter how much I still longed for what we had–It was clear now: Jason and I were over.
He used to chase after me every time I got upset, wrap me up in his arms, and never let me walk home alone.
But not tonight. Tonight, he just stood there.
The click–clack of heels approached. Lily walked up to me, holding a
“Scarlett, this is the first slice. It’s for you.‘
piece of cake like some kind of peace offering.
She looked surprised by the tears on my face. But the satisfaction ther eyes was impossible to hide.
I brushed past her without emotion and muttered one word, “Move.”
I didn’t even touch her, but she dropped like a leaf in the wind, collapsing dramatically to the ground.
“Lily!”
Jason rushed over in a few quick steps, scooping her up.
When he noticed her dress had slipped down, he didn’t hesitate–took off his jacket and wrapped it around her.
“Scarlett, what the hell is wrong with you? You’re blowing up over a few things you could easily replace-”
He was mid–rant when he looked up and met my icy eyes. He froze,
Because the girl who had clung to him for eighteen years wasn’t there anymore.
The look in my eyes told him the truth: He was no different from any other guy in the room.
“You’re right,” I said flatly, “Just a few replaceable things.”
And with that, I turned, got into the waiting Maybach, and left them both behind.
“Sweetheart, wasn’t tonight your graduation party? Why are you home so early? Where’s Jason?”
Back home, Grandpa was standing at the door, looking around in confusion.
I slipped my arm through his and walked inside without a word. He took one look at me and knew something was wrong.
“You two had a fight?”
Chapter 3
I lowered my eyes. It took me a long moment before I managed a forced smile.
“Grandpa… I don’t want to be with Jason anymore. And I don’t want to go to Eastbridge University.”
He paused, his weathered hands gently rubbing my arm. But he didn’t ask questions.
“All right. Whatever you want to do–Grandpa’s got your back.”
1
My eyes welled up. I buried my face in his chest and cried until I couldn’t cry anymore.
L
N
–
116
”
Later that night, as I lay in bed half–asleep, a message from Jason popped up on my phone.
000
[Don’t forget to submit your college application. Eastbridge–our dream.]
[Get some rest. I’ll come by early tomorrow.]
Our dream?
I let out a weak laugh, tears slipping from the corners of my eyes.__
Jason, Eastbridge was always your dream. Never mine.”
Chapter 3
