Chapter 2
Was I still his “current“?]
I laughed bitterly, meeting Avery’s gaze head–on.[]
She looked at me all innocent and asked again: “Vivian, can I go drinking with Kai? If you mind. I won’t go.“]
Before I could answer, Kai appeared from down the street.[]
He was frowning, clearly irritated: “Avery, I told you to come find me. Why are you bothering Vivian?“]
“Oh… I… I didn’t know if I should go drinking with you, so I came to ask Vivian.“[]
Avery looked all flustered, scared of making Kai mad.
expression softened, and he ruffled her hair: “Silly girl, why ask Vivian? If I want you to come drink, then come drink.“]
“But…” Avery ducked her head, secretly pleased but still playing coy.]
Kai glanced at me with annoyance: “Look how much Avery cares about your feelings. And you? You can’t even take a joke.“]
He still thought Avery changing my application was some harmless prank.]
And me being upset was MY fault.
But why was I the one in the wrong?
I pointed at Avery and snapped: “She cares about my feelings? This BITCH has been stirring up drama all senior year!“]]
“Bringing you breakfast and love letters right in front of me, confessing to you–absolutely SHAMELESS!“]]
“Playing innocent all day, clinging to you like a parasite, calling you ‘big brother–what is this, some weird sibling roleplay?”
“Acting all sweet to my face while secretly wishing I’d drop dead–makes me sick!”
With every word I said. Avery’s face got more rigid.]
Finally, she broke down crying, shaking all over.[]
Kai glared at me with pure rage: “Are you DONE? When did you become such a trashy bitch?”
“Or do you actually WANT to be my ex7”
I froze, my heart clenching with sudden pain
So Kai would use that insulting nickname on me too.
He was basically asking: Do you want to break up?
his ex.
Kai for a long time.]]
gh time at our sweet and bitter twelve years together.[]
noment, something flickering in his gaze, his expression softening slightly
too well–one look and we could read each other’s minds.[]
were also the years I’d spent by his side through countless days and nights.
nights when I’d stayed awake, wiping his forehead with cool water over and over.
making his favorite pot roast.
The latched while lying in my lap every weekend evening.
Pod veren apart.
Never harsh with each other.
Dut this time, Kai was different.[]
Even though he’d softened, he still chose to protect Avery: “Avery’s being generous and won’t hold it against you. Just apologize ther and we’ll call it even.“]
In that instant, twelve years crumbled like they’d been crushed by a giant fist.
I stopped looking at him, laughing with relief: “NO![]
Far’s softness turned back to rage: “Vivian, you’re pushing my limits!“[]
When did Kai have limits?]
O right, he did have limits.]
His limit used to be me–le couldn’t stand anyone hurting mne.
Too had his limits were flexible. Now they’d shifted to Avery.[]
Suddenly, this whole thing felt pointless.]
I turned and walked away. “Whatever.“]
Kai clenched his fists and walked off with Avery.||
Back in my room. I stared at the college application page again.[]
it was getting late–only two hours until midnight
Oupler 1
After midnight, I couldn’t change my application anymore.[]
I’d have to go to Stanford.[]
But I didn’t change it. I just sat there, then started researching everything about Stanford.]
Before I knew it, midnight hit–the college application deadline had passed.
Compared to my initial panic, I felt surprisingly calm now.
Turns out not going to the same school as Kai wasn’t the end of the world.[]
I closed my laptop just as my bestie Riley called on video, absolutely furious:]
“Vivian, guess who I saw at the bar? Kai and Avery with their whole crew, playing Truth or Dare, and it looks like they’re about
to make out!
