Chapter 4

The next morning, while we were having breakfast at the hotel restaurant, I told everyone I was heading home early.

At my words, Lucas' hand paused as he reached to hand Zoey a piece of bread.

Zoey took the initiative to ask, "Mel, are you not feeling well, or are you just not having fun?"

I smiled. "I've had a pretty good time, but I suddenly feel like seeing some different scenery. Our journey ends here.

"Also, we're not close, so you don't have to call me like we're best friends. I don't like it."

Embarrassment immediately spread across Zoey's face.

Lucas frowned and reprimanded me, "Melissa, why are you being so rude? Zoey was just checking on you out of kindness. Why are you deliberately taking it out on her?

"Is this because of what they said in the group chat last night? You can be jealous, but don't take your anger out on Zoey just because she's too soft-tempered to fight back."

When Lucas said the word "jealous," I caught a flash of smug confidence in his eyes. Even now, his first instinct was still to defend Zoey. Worse, he was using my pain to reassure himself of his place in my heart.

I took a deep breath and calmly met his eyes. "It has nothing to do with those jokes. I don't care whether you like her or not. That's between the two of you.

"I'm simply telling Zoey that I expect some boundaries between people, whether it's with me or anyone else.

"I'm done eating. I'm heading to the airport. Have a good trip."

Lucas grabbed my hand. "Stop! If you're really not jealous, then why are you suddenly making a fuss about leaving?

"Fine. I'll explain everything in the group chat, okay? Now sit down."

I yanked my hand free. "And I'd appreciate it if you respected some boundaries, too."

Lucas's furious voice rang out behind me. "Melissa, if you leave today, you're going to regret it!"

My heart suddenly felt hollow. After a brief pang of regret and disappointment, relief washed over me.

Would I miss out on something by leaving? Then let me miss it. After all, we'd already missed countless moments because of Zoey, hadn't we?

…

When I got home, my mother raised her eyebrows at me. "Well?"

Confused, I asked what she meant.

She clicked her tongue. "Lucas' mom told me he prepared a fireworks confession for you. You two are officially together now, right?"

I lowered my eyes.

So that was what I'd missed—his confession.

My finger unconsciously swiped across my phone screen and opened WhatsApp. I saw that Zoey had just posted on social media.

[Thanks for the amazing fireworks show, whoever you are. I'm so happy, hehe!]

I let out a mocking smile. "What cheap, careless love. Missing it was probably the luckiest thing that could've happened to me."

I said, "Mom, I don't like Lucas anymore. I changed my college application to Southport. Don't tell his parents."

My mother stared at me in shock. "Did you two have a fight?"

I shook my head, unwilling to explain. "There's no future between Lucas and me. I'm going to Grandma's for the summer. I'll come back when school starts."

In the past, whenever we gave each other the silent treatment, I was always the one who reached out first.

But this time, I let go.

…

For nearly two months, Lucas and I had absolutely no contact.

Before school started, his mother, Stephanie Brooks, asked my mother whether the two of us should buy tickets for the same high-speed train.

My mother politely declined and simply told her I'd travel to school on my own.

…

On the first day of school, I spent nearly five hours on the flight with my eyes closed, resting.

After the plane landed in Southport, I took my phone out of my bag.

The moment I unlocked it, countless missed calls and messages flooded the screen. They were all from Lucas.