Chapter 1

Lily Anderson was the first to regain her composure.

"Since you've caught us, I'm just going to come clean.

"Julian doesn't have a family, and he can't be alone in the West. You've always been a tough kid. I believe you'll be able to live a good life independently."

Julian Smith grabbed her arm with teary eyes.

I did not cry.

Instead, I pointed at the conversation history displayed on the screen.

"Who came up with those fake application forms?"

Lily answered without any hesitation, "I did."

"Who was the one who wanted to play truth or dare?"

Julian's eyes flickered.

Maddie Harold immediately shielded him.

"We came up with the idea together. Don't even think about attacking Julian."

I nodded, then I looked at Lily.

"When you agreed to be my girlfriend last night, was it part of the plan too?"

Lily paused.

"You won't get into a long-distance relationship.

"If I hadn't agreed to your request, you wouldn't have signed the application form."

She said it matter-of-factly. She did not even seem guilty in the least.

Julian teared up and suddenly grabbed the phone from Silvia Brown.

"This is all my fault. I'll change my college application now.

"I'll go to West University with Luca, and the rest of you can stay in the north."

The four of them immediately surrounded him.

April Carpenter immediately took the phone away.

"You've received the offer letter from North University. Why are you changing it now?"

"But what about Luca?"

Julian was sobbing violently.

"He'll be going to such a faraway place all by himself. He must be very upset."

Lily took a few tissue papers and wiped his tears away.

"He's been very independent since he was a child. He'll be able to live a good life anywhere.

"Your health isn't the best, and you've never left North City before. Don't jeopardize your future over this."

I stood a few steps away as I watched them comforting him.

So, that was the true reason.

It was not because Julian could not live in West City.

It was because they were worried that he would suffer, so they would rather let me take the brunt of it.

Silvia pushed her glasses further up her nose bridge as she spoke in her characteristically calm manner.

"Luca, we may have been able to do this better, but it still gives everyone the best outcome.

"You're going to the university that's most suited for you, and we're staying back to accompany Julian.

"No one's future is compromised."

I laughed.

"Should I thank you then?"

Maddie's face fell as she heard the sarcasm in my voice.

"You were also keen to go to West University. Otherwise, why didn't you turn down the professor directly when he reached out to you that many times?

"We just helped you solidify your decision."

Indeed, I had wanted to go.

West University's ongoing project was my childhood dream.

But I did not want to leave my friends behind. That was why I rejected their offers two times.

I even thought of giving up my favorite research topic in order to remain in North City with them.

However, there was no point bringing these up any longer.

I picked up the offer letter from the table.

Lily subconsciously stopped me.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going home."

"What about us?"

I looked at her.

"Is there even an us?"

Her expression froze.

"Luca, don't say things that you don't mean.

"I agreed to date you because I wanted you to sign that application form, but it wasn't an empty promise. I'll be with you until college starts, and I'll take time out to visit you in the future too.

"Aren't I already giving you what you want?"

It turned out that to her, dating me for two months was a very generous act.

Julian urged me softly.

"Luca, Lily really cares a lot about you.

"After you slept last night, she even put a blanket on you."

I almost laughed.

After they lied to me and made me sign my form, she threw a blanket over me.

Did I have to count my lucky stars for that?

"Then, I hope you'll be together forever."

I took out my keychain and showed it to Julian.

"Don't you want our childhood?

"I'll give this to you too."

Julian did not dare to take it.

Lily's frown deepened.

"What's wrong with you today?

"Didn't you always say that the five of us will be friends forever?"

"In the past, maybe."

I turned to leave.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

It was a text message from the professor, Pete Luther.

[There will be a car going to pick you up from North City in two days' time.]

[Luca, please confirm your early admission to the research team.]

I pressed the confirm button.

The research was highly confidential. After I reached the research center, my phone and personal devices would be taken away.

No one would be able to locate me in a short period of time.

I switched off my phone and muted the five-person group chat that had been with me for the past eighteen years.

They thought that I would return to them after I digested my anger and sadness, just like I did before.

That was not going to happen.