Chapter 3

"Lauren, do you remember the guy who was rushed in yesterday after taking pills? Luca Brown?" I asked.

Lauren Jones thought for a moment. "Oh, him? Yeah, I remember. When he was brought in, there was this gorgeous girl with him. She looked terrified."

"How many pills did he take?"

"Oh, don't even get me started." Lauren looked dismissive. "He took a few vitamin pills mixed with two sleeping pills he had somehow obtained."

She rolled her eyes.

"That amount wouldn't even put me to sleep. It just looked scary. He was crying the whole time when they brought him in. He was definitely putting on a show for someone. The doctors and nurses all knew that. He was never in any real danger."

I felt my heart sink at those words.

…

That night, Naomi asked me to dinner to celebrate my acceptance into grad school.

She seemed to be in a good mood. Luca had been discharged that day, and she said she had gotten everything taken care of.

"I made a reservation at your favorite place."

During the drive, she kept trying to hold my hand, but I pulled away each time.

"Caspian, I know you've been through a lot recently. I did ruin your graduation ceremony, after all.

"Just wait—I'll make it up to you. I'll make that day the happiest day of your life."

I stared silently at the passing streets outside the window. Then I suddenly asked, "How much do you give Luca every month?"

She froze. "N-Not that much. It's just… half of my monthly allowance."

Naomi came from a well-off family, and her parents gave her a generous allowance. Half of it was no small amount.

"Doesn't he get financial aid from the school?" I questioned.

"He does, but it's not enough. You know how proud he is. He doesn't feel comfortable asking his family for more money."

"So you've just been supporting him this whole time?" My voice turned cold.

Naomi frowned, clearly growing impatient.

"What kind of question is that, Caspian? What do you mean 'supporting him'? I'm making up for what I did!" Her voice rose.

"I almost ruined his reputation back then! What's wrong with making sure he doesn't have to worry about money for the rest of his life?"

I said nothing in response, and the atmosphere in the car instantly turned cold.

At the restaurant, neither of us had much to say, so the entire meal passed in silence.

On the way back, Naomi's phone rang. It was Luca.

The moment she answered, her voice softened. "What's wrong? Are you feeling sick?

"The power went out in your dorm? Don't be scared, and don't touch anything. I'll be right there."

After hanging up, she gave me an apologetic smile.

"Caspian, I'll drop you off first, then I need to go check on Luca. He lives alone, and he doesn't know how to fix it."

I looked at her quietly and asked, "Naomi, what exactly is he to you?"

The smile froze on her face.

"He's… just my junior."

"So you're responsible for him for the rest of his life? Even when the power goes out?"

"Caspian Abbott!" She was getting angry.

"Why are you being so unreasonable? He just got out of the hospital. He's alone, and his dorm is completely dark. How can I just ignore him?"

"He can call the dorm manager. Or campus maintenance."

"That's different! He doesn't trust anyone else!"

I chuckled. "Right. He only trusts you."

I reached over and opened the car door. "Don't worry about me. I'll get myself home. Go ahead. Your 'junior' is waiting for you."

I got out and slammed the door shut.

Naomi's car remained there for a moment before it drove away in the direction of Luca's dorm.

After that incident, we stopped speaking to each other. Naomi didn't contact me, and I didn't contact her.

We had already rented an off-campus apartment for grad school and planned to move in together after graduation.