Chapter 2

The video showed Nathan sitting right next to Claire.

There were plenty of empty seats around her, but whenever someone tried to sit beside her, Nathan made them move.

When they talked, his lips brushed close to her ear. I couldn't hear what he whispered, but I could see Claire laughing softly and leaning away.

Even through the screen, the flirty tension was obvious.

My chest tightened. It looked like Nathan was just about to win her over.

Later, during a game, Claire got a dare to do partner push-ups with a guy. She hadn't even chosen her partner yet when Nathan jumped up first.

Everyone started cheering.

Claire's cheeks turned red as she lay back on the couch. Nathan held himself above her and did a few push-ups before pretending to slip, letting his whole body fall against hers.

The crowd screamed louder.

In the middle of all the noise, Nathan dipped his head and kissed Claire.

She didn't stop him.

The two of them kissed as if there were no one else in the room.

I froze while staring at the screen, barely able to breathe. My heart tore apart inside me.

If Nathan had feelings for Claire, he could've told me straight, and I wouldn't have kept humiliating myself, chasing after him.

But he never said a word. He let me believe he loved me. He tricked me into giving him my first time, then turned around and went after the girl he actually wanted.

He treated me like dirt while treating her as if she were some priceless treasure.

"Mavis, are you seeing this? Nathan's such a jerk!" Phoebe's voice rang out.

"You've chased him for years, and all this time, he just enjoyed everything you gave him, acting like he didn't know how you felt. He's been stringing you along while flirting with another girl!"

She was right. I'd been stupid for way too long. But that would end now.

Phoebe continued, "You should think hard about where you're applying to college. With your results in the AI lab, Westwood Tech would kill to have you. Why follow Nathan all the way to Redwood Business School to study business management? Giving up your dream for a man isn't worth it, especially not Nathan."

Her voice burned with anger. She sounded as if she were ready to storm in and punch Nathan herself.

I replied quietly, "I've made up my mind. I'm going to Westwood Tech with you."

If I went to Redwood Business School, I'd be stuck on the West Coast, breathing the same air as him and the girl of his dreams.

But if I went to Westwood Tech, I could start over in Christon, where it snowed in winter, and where nobody knew how I had wasted six years of my life.

This time, I'd use the whole width of Barlandy to cut him out of my story.

"I'm so happy to hear that! Let's get as far away as possible from that scumbag," Phoebe shouted, her excitement spilling through the phone.

She'd wanted us to go to the same college for years. But Nathan and I had made that stupid promise to attend Redwood together.

Now? I couldn't think of one good reason to keep it. Just imagining running into him again made me sick.

I wanted to avoid him at all costs.

So, I decided to go on a trip with Phoebe first. We'd leave in a week.

In a week, I'd leave Nathan behind.