Chapter 3

On the day of the math competition, Dad never showed up. He called to say his truck had broken down on the highway, and he couldn't get back in time.

However, when I walked out of the competition hall, I spotted his scooter parked across the street. Daniel was standing next to him, clutching a brand-new basketball. Meanwhile, Dad crouched beside him, seemingly trying to comfort him with a cake.

"Come on, don't be mad. I didn't mean to forget that it's been a whole month since you transferred schools."

Daniel turned his face away. "Then, you have to spend the whole day with me today."

"Okay. I'll spend the whole day with you," Dad agreed without hesitation.

When he turned around and saw me, the smile froze on his face.

"Nate?"

He instinctively tried to hide the cake behind his back. "Didn't you say you'd be done with your competition this afternoon?"

"I finished early."

"How'd it go?" he asked.

"Pretty well."

Dad visibly relaxed and took a couple of steps toward me, but before he could say anything else, Daniel called out, "Dad, my foot hurts."

Dad stopped in his tracks. A second later, he turned around and went straight back to Daniel.

"Take the bus home. I'll make you something good for dinner tonight, and we can celebrate your results then."

My gaze fell on the writing on the cake. "Happy One-Month Anniversary of Your School Transfer, Danny!"

Apparently, even something like that was worth celebrating.

"Okay."

I turned and walked away.

…

The results were announced three days later, and I had won first place in the entire province. I also won the 8,000-dollar cash prize. Westbrook High School even handed me my admission letter on the spot.

Eleanor was so excited that tears welled up in her eyes.

"Nate, your dad is going to lose his mind with happiness when he hears the news!"

I tucked the prize money deep into my backpack. "I haven't told him yet."

"This is huge! You need to tell him right away!" she exclaimed, barely able to contain her excitement.

I called Dad, but the phone rang for so long that I eventually gave up. Half an hour later, he sent me a voice message, with Daniel's nonstop screaming audible in the background.

"Nate, Danny got into an argument with one of his classmates, and I'm dealing with it right now. If it's important, we'll talk tonight."

I didn't reply.

After school, I went straight to the bus station and bought a ticket to the city for 4:00 pm tomorrow.

"One ticket to the city for tomorrow at 4:00 pm," I told the ticket agent.

He handed me the ticket and asked, "Traveling alone?"

"Yes."

"Do your parents know?" he asked curiously.

I took the ticket and offered him a faint smile. "They will soon."

…

That evening, Dad came home with Daniel, who was clutching a brand-new tablet. His eyes were red, and his jaw was clenched.

When Dad saw me, he seemed to finally remember my phone call from earlier.

"What did you want to tell me?"

I hid my admission letter behind my back. "My school is holding an awards ceremony tomorrow."

Dad immediately smacked his forehead. "Right! I remember now. Is your mom coming?"

"No."

He let out a sigh of relief. "Then, I'll go. I'm not taking any deliveries tomorrow. Hell, the whole world could come crashing down, and I'd still be there."

Daniel suddenly spoke up. "Tomorrow is my school's parent-teacher conference, too."

Dad froze. "Didn't you say you didn't want your parents to come?"

Daniel lowered his head and fiddled with his tablet. "Whatever. It's not like what happens at my school matters as much as Nate's stuff."

Dad fell silent.

I studied his face before asking, "Dad, which one are you actually going to?"

"Of course, I'm going to yours," he answered quickly, though he couldn't bring himself to look at Daniel.

I nodded. "Okay."

This was the last chance I was willing to give him.

If he showed up, I'd show him my admission letter. However, if he didn't…

My fingers brushed the bus ticket in my pocket.

4:00 p.m. Tomorrow.

After that, he wouldn't have to choose between us anymore.