Softly, On My Own

My face practically said, Are you serious?She had been the one to confront me that day and say she hated how I constantly clung to her and depended on her.She was also the one who had thrown some mysterious AI installation file at me."Why would I tell you?"Sabrina's face darkened when I shut her down. "Would your parents really let you travel alone?"For some reason, I thought of Nova on my phone."Who said I'm alone?"Sabrina scoffed."I know you. You need me beside you just to walk to the corner store. Who else would go with you?"Even if your parents are fine with it, my mom..."Before she could finish, her phone rang.It was her mother, Mrs. Hayes.My hearing was poor, and even with my hearing aid I couldn't make out their conversation.But Sabrina's growing irritation told me enough.Mrs. Hayes wanted Sabrina to accompany me to Crescent Island.She could have refused.Instead, after hanging up, she sighed."I guess I really can't get rid of you."I stood ther

An hour later, we landed.Sabrina and I didn't exchange a single word on the way to the hotel.I moved my luggage into the elevator, got off, and ate lunch entirely on my own.Sabrina claimed she had come on this trip to accompany me, but she spent every moment with Cameron.I decided that was fine.I had Nova.Nova organized the next few days into a detailed itinerary and even formatted it as a chart.Halfway through reading it, someone snatched my phone away.I looked up and saw Cameron's smug smile."Wow, this itinerary is incredibly detailed."Sabrina, you must have customized all of this for Dylan, right?"I frowned and reached for my phone.But Sabrina had already taken it from Cameron.She glanced through the itinerary and frowned."I didn't write this."Then she looked up at me."As far as I know, you don't have the patience to plan like this. Who did it for you?"I took my phone back, too irritated to notice the unease in her eyes."That's none of your busine

The ocean breeze rolled the waves across the soft sand again and again.I watched the slender figure walk into the surf.Backlit by the sun, the girl looked small.The water climbed over the cuffs of her pants and soaked the edge of her clothes as she bent down and searched carefully through the restless waves.Before long, she straightened again.When she returned to me, she opened her palm."Your hearing aid. I think it's been damaged a little."I took it and stammered out my thanks before I'd even gotten a look at her face."Thank you. I'm so sorry you had to do that!"Then I heard her clear voice."Didn't I tell you?"I'll be right here. I won't hide, disappear, or run. I'll be here to catch you when you need me."I'm not exaggerating.Those words struck my heart like a bolt of lightning.My entire body went rigid as I stammered in disbelief."You... you're Nova?"How could that be?The AI that had talked to me day and night and listened to all my nonsense, helped

"Sabrina."First, I have complete evidence. You can keep covering for him and making excuses if you want. Once we're home, I will still pursue the matter and demand the compensation I'm owed."Second, what gives you the right to decide whether someone else is reliable? A professional, responsible guide who can distinguish right from wrong is far more dependable than someone like you, who ignores the truth and blindly protects an outsider."Third, I don't need to travel with you, and I don't need your pity. Please move. You're blocking the way."After saying all of that, I stopped looking at Sabrina's furious expression.I gently caught Molly by the wrist and turned away.Sabrina called after me, struggling to suppress her anger.I didn't slow down or look back once.Molly said nothing and quietly walked with me along the long shoreline.The ocean breeze brushed over us and gradually eased the resentment that had gathered inside me.After we had walked for a long time, I final

A few days after I returned home, our final statewide examination scores were released.On the day the results came out, both families gathered at my house for dinner.The table was covered with food, and the atmosphere was warm and lively.Everyone had always assumed that Sabrina and I, childhood friends with similar grades and an old promise between us, would apply to Kingsley University together, continue looking after each other, and attend the same college.At the table, Mrs. Hayes held my hand and smiled affectionately."Dylan, you and Sabrina have talked since childhood about growing up together and attending the same university."Apply to Kingsley as planned. Then you can still look after each other on campus."Sabrina sat nearby and watched me quietly.There was a trace of expectation in her eyes as she waited for my answer.At that moment, Sabrina's phone rang on the table.The caller was Cameron.The instant she answered, her entire face softened with uncontrollab