Chapter7
My heart clenched tight, and I shot up from the couch. “Don’t.”
Chase froze, just for a second. Then, like that night after the SATS, he tried coaxing me again, his voice low and
persuasive.
“The private screening room’s great for couples. No one will bother us.”
He reached for me again, but I shoved the door open before he could pull me in.
“It’s late. I’m heading home.”
I didn’t look back.
I didn’t actually want to go home. I just didn’t want to sleep with Chase. I needed to put some distance between us.
That night after the exam was our first time. And it would be our last.
I wandered aimlessly down the street. My phone buzzed twice in my pocket.
I thought it was Chase. But when I checked, it was a message from the system:
[Hello, Sierra Hayes. Your background review has passed. Please report to City Hospital within three days for your medical
evaluation…]
I locked my screen and let out a long breath.
Soon, I’d be gone from this place. And honestly, thank God.
The next few days, I stayed off the grid. I didn’t text Chase, didn’t care what our parents were doing for Maddie. I had
bigger things to focus on-my own future.
I went to the hospital alone for my medical checkup, did the physical and interview at the ROTC office, and finished all the
early admission requirements.
Then came the day I went back to pick up my medical report—and saw Chase and Maddie walking out of the women’s
health wing together.
I stopped short. Just for a second.
They were… that close already?
A tangle of emotions hit me all at once. I clutched the folder in my hand and turned away quickly, wanting to get as far
away from them as possible.
But the moment I stepped outside, Maddie ran after me.
“Sis? What are you doing at the hospital?” she asked, her tone feigned concern but loud enough for others to hear. “Did
you forget to take the emergency pills after sex with that blond guy? Or worse, did he give you something?”
People around us started glancing over.
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I stared at her coldly. “I’m just here for my medical report. But you? Coming out of Women’s Health with Chase-what, you
catch something nasty?”
“Never!” Maddie’s face turned bright red.
“I only asked Chase to come with me to meet a professor from the med school. He’s helping me figure out my college
major!”
“Then next time, maybe don’t spread rumors if you can’t handle being misunderstood.” My voice dropped, sharp and icy. I
turned to leave.
But Maddie wasn’t done. Her pride must’ve been bruised, because she lashed out, voice rising.
“Sierra Hayes, once I’m back from vacation with Mom and Dad, I’m going to study pre-med at the top program in the state. They already said they’d pull every string to get me into the best hospital in Westhaven after I graduate.”
“And you? You’re on your own. They won’t care about you. You’ll just rot.”
I froze. So they’d already planned her entire future.
And me? I had nothing.
But it was fine. I had already carved out my own bloody path, and I wasn’t about to stop now.
I didn’t want to make a scene, so I kept walking.
But Maddie wouldn’t let it go. She grabbed my wrist and hissed, “You still like Chase, don’t you? That’s why you followed us here. But you’re not even a virgin anymore-what makes you think he’d still want you?”
Her words made me laugh out loud.
“Oh please. Whether he wants me or not doesn’t matter. His first time’s gone too.”
Maddie’s expression cracked. “What do you mean by that?”
I didn’t bother answering. I yanked my hand away.
Then suddenly-she slapped herself.
I caught her wrist just in time. “Seriously? You’re going to fake a slap and pin it on me again?”
But her eyes welled up instantly, big fat tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Ow… Sis, you’re hurting me…”
“What the hell are you doing?” Chase stormed over and yanked me away, pulling Maddie behind him protectively.
I hadn’t even said a word before Maddie sniffled, putting on her show.
“She said we must’ve caught something just ’cause we came out of Women’s Health together…”
Chase glared at me, face stormy.
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“Maddie and I were meeting with a professor to talk about majors. What the hell, Sierra? You think everyone’s as easy as
you?”
My heart stopped.
It felt like someone had hit me across the head.
And Chase… the second the words left his mouth, he looked horrified. Regret colored his face.
“I-That’s not what I meant, I didn’t-”
I cut him off.
“Then tell me, Chase-what exactly are you to Maddie? What right do you have to follow her around like a boyfriend and still criticize me like a judge?”
He went silent. His eyes searched mine like he had a thousand things to say.
But I was done listening.
I turned and walked away.
A relationship he didn’t have the guts to acknowledge? I’d long stopped wanting it anyway.
That night at 9 p.m., I logged into the SAT score system to check my results. But instead of a number, the screen read:
[Due to ranking in the top 30 statewide, your SAT score has been temporarily hidden.]
My score had been flagged and locked by the system.
I stared at the screen, stunned for a beat.
Then it hit me-I did it. I actually did it.
Just then, my phone rang.
“Hello, is this Sierra Hayes? This is the Northwest Institute of Science’s early admission office. We’ve received and verified your application-we’re happy to inform you that you’ve been admitted directly.”
“There’s one condition: Our campus enforces strict military-style management. All students are required to surrender their
phones and remain fully disconnected from the outside world-including contact with family. Do you accept?”
I gripped the phone tightly. “This is Sierra Hayes. I accept it. I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got.”
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