Chapter 7
I don’t know when Kai left.
He didn’t bother me after that.]
A week later, Grandma told me my dad had been arrested.
Something about getting drunk and hurting someone.
I immediately knew Kai was behind it.]]
He was smart–knew how to get revenge while achieving his goals.[]
I didn’t pay much attention, just focused on enjoying college life.
During winter break, I went home.]]
I ran into Avery at my front door.
She was waiting for me specifically.
We stared at each other.
Her eyes had lost their smugness, replaced by hatred and resentment:[]
“Vivian, you won. Kai won’t let me anywhere near him anymore.”
Her voice was bitter: “I really don’t get what’s so special about you.“]
“Are you prettier than me? Gentler? More understanding?”
She stepped closer, glaring: “You’re not better than me at anything. You only won because you knew Kai first.”
I was getting annoyed: “Blah blah blah, what’s your point?”
Avery was stunned, then sneered: “You’re so smug. But you’re at Stanford while I’m at the same school as Kai.“[]
“So what if he loves you? Two thousand miles is enough distance for anything to happen. I’ve got the advantage now–we’ll see who wins in the end!“]
She was declaring war.]
was so over it.]
I turned to leave: “He’s all yours. Go book a hotel room with Kai–I’ll pay for it.“[]
Avery looked shocked again.
A thin figure stepped out from the shadows around the corner.
(looked like hell–unshaven, lifeless eyes, nothing like the campus heartthrob he used to be.]
topped walking, looking at him calmly.
very panicked, forcing a smile: “Kai! You’re here too. I was just… passing by…”
GET LOST!”
Kai’s voice was low and dangerous.[]
Avery burst into tears, trying to hug him: “Kai, I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have come to see Vivian, but I couldn’t help it… Why am I not good enough? WHY?”
“I said GET LOST!“]]
Avery left looking completely broken.[]
Kai stared at me for a long time without speaking.
I started heading inside, so he finally spoke: “Vivian, I’m thinking about dropping out. I’ll repeat senior year and get into Stanford.
I stayed quiet.]]]
Kai forced a smile: “I know I screwed up big time, so I’ll spend a year making it right. Wait for me at Stanford–I’ll definitely come find you!“]
He was so sincere, like he was making a sacred vow.]
But I just kept quiet.
Kai got desperate: “Vivian, give me one chance. I really can’t live without you. I’ll come find you in a year, and we’ll start over, okay?”
Not okay.[]
I felt nothing about this prospect.[]
For the past twelve years, I’d looked forward to seeing Kai every single day.
Looking forward to our lake dates, him lying in my lap watching stars, him touching my hair and saying it smelled nice.
But now? I only looked forward to him leaving me alone.]
So I sighed softly: “Kai, don’t you think this is pointless?“||
Kai could barely stand up. He couldn’t get any more words out.[]
Finally, he stumbled away, disappearing into the darkness.[]
I went home, gave Grandma her gifts, and had the best sleep ever.[]
After winter break, I went back to Stanford and threw myself into studying-
I’d always been pretty lazy, never had big ambitions, always had Kai leading the way, so I lacked direction.[]
Now that I was on my own. I actually developed some real goals.
Graduate school, PhD–I was going for it all!]
Senior year, I got into grad school and started reaching for even higher achievements.
During this time, I went home several times but rarely saw Kai.[]
Riley told me Kai had given up on dropping out. He stayed at MIT, studying like crazy, completely ignoring the outside world.
He had plenty of admirers though–that handsome face drew them in.
As for Avery, she kept obsessing over Kai and became the campus laughingstock.
Her behavior got so bad that the school actually kicked her out.
Just goes to show–being boy–crazy never ends well.[]
I never dated anyone else. Just wasn’t interested.
Sometimes late at night, I’d think about that six–year–old face covered in water droplets.
But then I’d smile and let it go
