Chapter 4
Actually, I couldn’t let him go.[]
But Avery helped me with that.]
She transferred in senior year and forced herself into being Kal’s “little sister.“]
After that, weekend nights became just me watching the stars alone.]
Or maybe not really the stars–I wasn’t a kid anymore.]]
I just wanted to hang out with Kai.]
But he’d say he was watching movies, shopping, breakdancing…]
And there was always that sweet little laugh of Avery’s in the background.[]
A month before graduation, I went to the pavilion again. This time I didn’t even ask Kai–just quietly watched the stars by myself.
Until a hand grabbed my collar and nasty alcohol breath hit my face.
My dad was back from out of town
He started beating me immediately: “You little bitch, SATs are coming up and you’re out here messing around! Think I won’t discipline you?“]
He slapped me twice across the face without warning.
I knew he was getting revenge.]
After Kai beat him up years ago, the Brennan family had to step in
He was scared of them, so he went to work out of town]
Tonight he came back drunk, settling old scores.[]
I was shaking with fear, everything blurry, mouth full of blood.[]
“Slutt Seducing boys at your age, getting them to gang up on me–no wonder your mom ran off and left you!“]
My dad threw me to the ground and kicked me hard: “Fuck, the more I think about it, the angrier I get. even get in ‘cause you changed the locks!”
Come
home and can’t
“Til beat you to deathr“]
I don’t know how I survived it
When I woke up. I was in the hospital
Chapter
Actur con Inc let him.
By helped me
fryside, nt I was completely alone.
Avery’s Instagram]
background was her bedroom, and Kai was shirtless, lying in her bed.]
wled into my bed, so gross-
sical pain going numb.
her mom to come help me.[]
My called back: “What happened last night? Just saw your calls.”
s, holding back tears.
ery’s bed?”
you, but
ment, then sighed: “You’re mad again? I know you wanted me to come watch the stars with you, b ld stars–aren’t you tired of them yet?“]
10 anything. Her dad made me stay for dinner, insisted we drink together, so I got wasted and had to crash. Le up. I came straight to find you. Isn’t that enough?“||
www.fine.
As fine.
Avery’s bed? NOT fine.
at the stammering, couldn’t find the words.[]
watching “the same old stars” with me was perfectly fine too.[]
jot back to school, Kai and Avery were already thick as thieves, like the perfect sibling duo.]
me? I became “his ex.”
The sight breeze picked up at the lake pavilion.[]
lapped back to reality and headed home.
Got a text from Kai: “Did you change your application back to MIT?“]
“None of your business.” I wasn’t about to tell Kai I was going to Stanford.[]
years–you can’t live without me.”
Kai scoffed: “I know you definitely changed it back. You’ve been glued to my side for twelve y
“Before we leave for MIT, you HAVE to apologize to Avery. Otherwise you’re finding your own ride to campus–I’m not taking you!”
We’d planned this ages ago.]]
I’d ride with the Brennan family to MIT–safe and convenient.[]
It wasn’t far, but having Kai with me would’ve made it special.
Too bad I wasn’t going to MIT anymore.]]
Without another word, I blocked Kai.
