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Chapter 4

Author: Yesterday's Sun
"Anita, stop right there!"

Harley caught up to me, grabbed my shoulder, and spun me around. His face was a mix of panic and anger.

"What's your problem? Embarrassing me like that in front of everyone?"

I shook his hand off and stepped back, staring at him coldly.

"Harley, do you even understand what just happened? You and my best friend hugged, and you're the one storming out to interrogate me?"

"That was truth or dare. It was just a game!" he said through gritted teeth. "Can you not blow this so far out of proportion?"

"A game?" I let out a cold laugh. "Was your face going white when you shoved her off you also part of the game?"

That caught him off guard. His chest heaved for a long moment before he managed to force out, "Anita, what's actually going on with you lately?

"You won't help Katy, you won't send money, you won't answer my texts, and now you're picking a fight over nothing. Are you doing this on purpose?"

I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, studying his flushed face.

This was the face that had made my heart race for four straight years.

Now, all I felt looking at it was revulsion.

"Harley, let me ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"Did you already secure your graduate placement three months ago?"

His expression froze, plain as day. His lips moved, but nothing came out.

I kept going. "And after that, you still asked me for living expenses. Three thousand a month, like clockwork.

"What did you spend my money on? Taking Katy to dinner? Booking hotel rooms?"

"You... what are you talking about!" His voice shot up, but his eyes had already started darting away.

I didn't bother going in circles with him anymore. I straightened up and looked down at him.

"Let's break up."

Harley froze for a second, then suddenly laughed. There was a contempt in that laugh I'd never seen on him before.

"Break up? Fine by me."

He stepped back, hands in his pockets, tilting his head to look at me.

"You really think if you dump me, you'll end up doing better than I do? You've got zero backbone, you'll probably fail your grad exams anyway. What do you even have to compare yourself to me with?"

He was getting more pleased with himself the longer he talked, like he'd finally stopped bothering to pretend.

"Be honest, Anita, what are you even good for besides writing other people's code? You couldn't even hold onto an offer. What gives you the right to act all high and mighty in front of me?"

I cut him off without missing a beat.

"Harley, who told you I didn't accept the offer?"

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