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Chapter 3
Riley turned her camera toward a corner, sneaking closer.[]
I saw Kal.
He was surrounded by classmates who were going wild: “Kail Pick someone to kiss! Three–minute make–out session!“]
1g hard.
Kallooked annoyed while Avery was already blushing
Since she was the only girl there, Kai would obviously have to kiss her.
But then some creepy guy had a brilliant idea: “Kal can call for backup! I mean, you’ve got options–either kiss Avery or call your ex over here.”
“Haha, yeah! Let the drama begin!“]
Everyone was loving it.
Avery pouted and grabbed Kai’s arm without him pushing her away.]
Then Kai ran his fingers through his hair, looking frustrated, and pulled out his phone.[]
Avery’s face instantly went white.]
Kai didn’t look at her, just called me.
I answered.
Kar’s voice was flat: “I’ve calmed down some. I was too harsh earlier,
“Come find me, apologize to Avery.
ary, and
nd I’ll p
play Truth or Dare with you.
-0
I said nothing.
Kai frowned: “SAY something. Is apologizing really that hard?“[]
“It’s not hard. It’s impossible.“[]
Never gonna happen–just like I’d never go to MIT now.
“Fine! Keep being stubborn!“||
Kai exploded: “I’m about to play Truth or Dare with Avery. You know what we’re gonna do?“]
I didn’t answer and hung up
But illey called back on video.]]
In 11. Kai had smashed his drink. Everyone shut up real quick!]
Avery squeezed out some tears: “Kai, we don’t have to kiss… don’t be mad.“]
“Who said we’re not kissing?“]
Kai suddenly looked straight at the camera–he’d spotted Riley.[]
Riley tried to run.
Kai smirked coldly: “Keep filming. Let your bestie watch what I’m doing!“||
He grabbed Avery and kissed her hard.]
Avery melted against him, instinctively wrapping her arms around his waist, face flushed.
Everyone went crazy: “DAMN, that’s HOT!”
My heart still squeezed tight for a second.
Like it was stuffed with cotton.[]
But then the wind came and blew it all away.
I hung up and walked downstairs, feeling completely free.[]
“Grandma, help me pack some hot sauce. I’m taking it to school.“]
This far from home without hot sauce? How was I supposed to survive?||
I knew adjusting to Stanford wouldn’t be easy.[]
Hot sauce was just the cherry on top.
I’d have to work for the rest.
So the next day, I dragged Riley to the city’s famous California fusion place.[]
Might as well get a taste of West Coast cuisine.
Riley was shocked: “After what Kai did to you last night, you’re in the mood to eat out?”
I smiled. Why wouldn’t I be?]
Food is life, right?
California cuisine was light, but it had this natural freshness that actually hit the spot.
i I fch amazing and was humming on the way home
Riley kept watching me “You’re over it? I think Kai and Avery are definitely together now…..
I didn’t answer.
past the park lake, I told Riley to head home while I went in to walk around and catch the breeze by the water.]
coming here since I was little. Whenever my parents fought, this was my safe place.]
was six, my mom ran out crying, and my dad turned around and slapped me.[]
here to clear my head too.]]
then I didn’t understand death–I just felt tired, so I jumped in the lake.[]
Kai happened to be walking by and pulled me out.]
That’s when I first realized someone actually cared about me.]
this clueless girl became the boy’s shadow.
e’d play hide–and–seek by the lake, watch people fish, share snacks and drinks…]
When we hit puberty, we’d come to the pavilion on weekend nights to look at the moon and stars.
Kai liked lying in my lap, staring at the stars and randomly saying: “Vivian, you smell really good.“]]
I’d blush and say no I don’t.[]
I didn’t know that was when things got romantic, when love started taking shape.[]
At sixteen, Kai came to find me and saw my dad beating me again.[]
He went absolutely insane, punching my dad in the face over and over.
When the blood splattered on me, I wasn’t scared. I just stared at Kai, not wanting to blink]
I wanted to look at him forever.[]
So could I really let him go?]
