로그인Out of the bond we once had, seeing Alexa like this still made me sigh, even though I no longer liked her."Alexa, the reason I wanted to apply to Ashford University before was that you liked it. Getting into Southaven University is my dream. As for why I didn't tell you… It's because I didn't want to keep chasing after you anymore. I'm exhausted."I had actually wanted to tell you on the day we submitted our applications, but you didn't give me the chance. After that, it didn't feel necessary. And you stood me up, so I was a little upset. That's why I kept quiet about it. But now we're even. School starts tomorrow. You should head back to Ashford."As I spoke, Alexa's face grew paler by the second. By the time I finished, she looked like she might collapse at any moment."Why… there's nothing between Zane and me. The one I like is you."I froze.Fragments of the past flashed through my mind.Did Alexa really like me?At first, I had believed she did. That was why she drove awa
On the day of departure, Alexa, who had already moved out, deliberately set off early. She even took a detour to Ian's house, intending to pick him up so they could go to campus together.But when the door opened, it was Ian's mother who stood there.The moment she saw Alexa, she quickly handed over the suitcase that had been delivered the day before. "Alexa, perfect timing. Ian asked me to give this to you."A chill ran from Alexa's head to her feet. She froze in place, completely at a loss.Ian's mother knew well what had happened between the two over the past few years, but it wasn't her place to argue with a child, especially not when she saw how devastated Alexa looked.She let out a quiet sigh. "Ian applied to Southaven University. Your parents and his father and I have been friends for years, and you two grew up together. No one expected things to turn out like this. But now that they have… it's better if you each go your own way from here on."The words rang in Alexa's ea
At first, the plan worked remarkably well.When Alexa arrived at the school gates with Zane riding behind her, the smile on Ian's lips visibly dimmed. Only by a fraction. So faintly that most people would not have noticed.But Alexa did.They had grown up together. She knew Ian too well.Seeing him look so quietly unhappy filled her with a strange mix of satisfaction and guilt. So when Zane asked for her contact that day, she didn't give it to him right away. Instead, she turned to Ian and asked, "Ian, we've known each other forever. If someone asks for my WhatsApp number, do you think I should give it or not?"Seeing Ian's face flush red gave her a surge of satisfaction."Do whatever you want."But instead of stopping her with jealousy, he simply turned away, as if trying to keep his distance.Alexa froze for a moment.She knew Ian was bashful. If she wanted a reaction, she had to push harder. So she added Zane anyway.As it happened, Zane ended up in the same class as them.
Something I said must have struck a nerve with Alexa, because her face flushed red with anger. "Well, glad you know it!"With that, she slammed the door and stormed out, leaving the suitcase full of gifts behind.I looked at the empty space still left inside it. After a moment's thought, I began packing everything Alexa had ever given me over the years into the suitcase, including the basketball keychain I had once treated like a little treasure, carrying it with me wherever I went.I filled it to the brim, so full it was almost impossible to close.Then I reminded my mom to wait until Alexa called her the next day before returning the suitcase to her house. After that, I picked up the luggage I had already prepared, stepped out the door, and headed for my flight to Southaven.This time, I still arrived just at the last minute. But thankfully, there was no one rushing me along. There was, though, a message from Stella.'Don't rush. Stay safe. If you miss this flight, there's alwa
My face flushed instantly.Luckily, the boarding announcement sounded just then. I let out a quick hum of acknowledgment and hurried off, escaping the moment.Behind me, Silas' voice immediately rose in protest, accusing Stella of something again.…By the time I got home, there was only one week left before school started.I spent those days buying everything I needed and meeting up, one after another, with classmates who were also heading to Ashford University.When they heard that I had applied to Southaven University on my own, they did not believe it at first. But soon, they nodded firmly."Ian, honestly, I think it's best if you keep your distance from Alexa and Zane. One of them hides behind 'just friends' while being vague, and the other's a total hypocritical bastard. Staying around them will just drain you more and more."Thinking back to how their disdain had once made me feel worthless, I lifted my glass with a small smile. "Yeah. Things will only get better from he
With the Keller siblings by my side, the next four mountains turned into some of the most enjoyable days of my trip.And just as they had promised, through an entire summer and five separate hikes, not once did they rush me. In fact, whenever I so much as started to feel tired on the trail, the two of them would immediately call out, "I'm exhausted. Let's take five."When we ordered food, they never hurried me along either when I took my time browsing the menu as they would scroll through reviews while looking at the dishes, then discuss everything with me before deciding what we should eat together.When they noticed the eczema on my hands, they did not say anything about it, but during that stretch of time, not a single dish that I needed to avoid ever appeared on the table.They were so thoughtful that even when I occasionally came across photos of Zane and Alexa together on social media, I did not feel that familiar pang of loneliness.When Zane sent me his usual bragging mess







