Chapter 6
September came and school started.]]
I’d bought my plane ticket early, leaving on the morning of August 31st.
I wanted to get to campus early to avoid any last–minute problems.]
Everything went smoothly–check–in, flight, landing in sunny California.[]
First night I saw a huge spider in my dorm, nearly gave me a heart attack.]
But everything else was great. I even had two servings of fish tacos–absolutely delicious.[]
At dawn. I’d spent my first night in California.]]
Then Grandma called.]
I was confused: “Grandma, what’s wrong?”
“Kai asked if you wanted a ride to school. I told him you’d already left, but he doesn’t believe me. Says you’re hiding at home.“]
I frowned.
Didn’t Kai say he wouldn’t give me a ride?]
Before I could respond, I heard Kai’s voice in the background:]
“Grandma, tell Vivian to come downstairs. I’ve given her plenty of time to cool off. It’s the first day of school–let’s pause the fighting and deal with this when we get there.“]
Kai sounded impatient and really annoyed.[]
Grandma was confused! “What cooling off? Kai, Vivian really did leave–yesterday with that hot sauce I made her.”
“Yesterday?”
Kai sounded skeptical but still impatient: “Whatever, I’m going upstairs to find her!”
Grandma kept trying: “Don’t bother looking! Vivian bought her plane ticket ages ago, she really left yesterday.“[]
Kai stopped dead: “Plane ticket? What plane ticket? Don’t need a plane to get to MIT
“Not MIT–Stanford. Didn’t Vivian tell you?“]
Dead silence on the other end.
Then I heard Kai breathing hard, like he’d seen a ghost.
I hung up.
My college life had begun.]
After the initial adjustment, I started loving the California breeze, the palm trees, even the falling jacaranda flowers.
People adapt to their environment.]
For twelve years. I’d followed Kai everywhere, never changing my surroundings.[]
Now I was on my own in a strange city, building a brand–new life step by step.
But then Kai showed up.
He cornered me on campus, eyes bloodshot and dark circles underneath.]
“Why?”
He was gritting his teeth, trying not to let his lips shake.[]
I sighed and tried to walk around him.]
He grabbed my hand with all his strength, voice completely hoarse.
“Just because Avery played one prank on you, you’re gonna do this to me?
Yes.
I stared at him like I had for the past twelve years.
Except this time, with zero emotion.[]
“Yeah, I’m petty. I can’t take a joke.”
I gave Kai his explanation.]
His jaw was trembling: “Vivian, you can’t do this. You know I can’t live without you!”
“I only see Avery as a little sister. Kissing her at the bar was just about saving face.
“The trip and all those Instagram posts–I just wanted to make you jealous.“]
His voice got thick with emotion: “You’re so cruel, blindsiding me like this. Why didn’t you change it back to MIT!”
“Was that prank really THAT serious?“]
I looked at him quietly, then shook my head: “Fine. That prank really wasn’t that serious.”
Kai froze, staring at me.
I asked: “The month before graduation, when you stayed over at Avery’s–do you know where I was?“]
“At the park lake. You were definitely there, waiting for me, right?“]
My college life had begun.
After the initial adjr sent. I started lov
People adapt to the environment
Avotat night. I should’ve come to you!“]
intuls away.
For twelve v. Id followed |
Now I w
But a dimeed
Th
ig his face as he pulled me into a hug.
- on. My dad slapped me over and over, kicked me again and again.”
ie a slut for seducing boys. His breath reeked of alcohol, my mouth was full of
ntracting, fists clenching and unclenching like a wild animal about to snap.
it night I was in so much pain, while you were shirtless in Avery’s bed, sleeping alls.”
th bared in rage.[]
Jetter than I’ve ever been.“]
all Avery thanks for me–1 accepted her prank, and I love Stanford.
