All Chapters of The Day Love Burned Out: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1 It's True

The video call came to an abrupt halt. I stared at my reflection on the screen. It was staring back at me in disbelief. Now, I couldn't help but wonder whether it had actually happened, or whether I was hallucinating. Zoe Shamrock and I were childhood friends. I was still reeling from the sudden news, and my mind was wandering when Zoe popped up behind me and tapped my shoulder."SAT's tomorrow, Seamus. You should be studying, not spacing out. You'll be sorry if you flunk it and don't get into Harland.""As if!" I snapped. Zoe was an innocent, charming girl. So, I couldn't imagine her cheating on me with my best friend. My mind was settled, and I laughed at myself quietly. Here I was, panicking over a nothingburger even when the tests hadn't begun.Just then, Zoe plopped a bag of stationery on my desk. "I knew you wouldn't be prepared, so I got it covered! Tuck your ID in and take the whole bag with you tomorrow. I got one for Johnny, too. You're not sharing my presents with him

Chapter 2 The Gathering

Johnny had been close enough to overhear the conversation. So, he arched an eyebrow challengingly at Zoe. "Seamus is my bro, woman. You can't do shit about me."The two of them were like powder kegs, and they looked like they were seconds away from exploding. This time, I didn't step in like I used to. Instead, I checked the time. "It's almost time. I'm going in."The two of them exchanged a look and stopped bantering right away. How interesting. After all, their reactions suggested that peace had always been an option for them without my well-meaning interference. The SATs were finally done, and a sigh of relief escaped my lips. The tension I'd been feeling was finally melting away.Jacqueline, our class president, popped up in the group chat and suggested we have a gathering. After all, we would be going our own separate ways after graduation. It would likely be impossible to meet up due to our conflicting schedules.Halfway through the gathering, the class clown ordered two

Chapter 3 She Lied

Zoe's delayed response brought silence into the air. Jacqueline's eyes were wide with disbelief. "Wait. You've kissed another guy?""I didn't!" Zoe denied right away, her face red. "Of course, Seamus is the one I kissed! I just… I didn't want it aired out. It's private!"My heart sank. She was lying. We had never kissed, not even once. My mind began to wander again after that little episode. The past was starting to play itself in my head. All the details I'd been ignoring were now dancing vividly in the eyes of my mind.Johnny loved basketball. Zoe always had balms and ointments in her drawer prepared for him. I was terrified of any ball-related sports, so I'd never set foot on a basketball court.Johnny and I had the same thermos. My thermos was filled with water from a random drinking fountain in the school, while his was filled with energy drinks.Zoe would bring two sets of breakfast every morning. Mine was always plain, but Johnny would have different breakfasts every day fo

Chapter 4 Hardened Resolve

It was the graduation trip we'd been talking about. Zoe wagged the walkthrough she was holding at me. "There's not a thing you'll worry about!"I was going to bring up that talk after the trip and end the relationship on a cordial note. Johnny was already waiting at the train station with his luggage in tow. "I just want that walkthrough. You don't mind, do you, bro?"I said nothing. Zoe glanced at the look on my face and retorted, "You and your antics. It's supposed to be Seamus and me. You're going to be the third wheel. I didn't get a ticket for you."I was the one who was blocked at the entryway as my ID was denied access.Johnny glared at Zoe. "I can't believe you forgot to get his ticket!"Zoe seemed stunned as well. "I thought he'd gotten his himself.""You shouldn't just assume things! The train's arriving in 15 minutes!"It was supposed to be an argument. However, to everyone who wasn't blind or stupid, it clearly looked like a couple's banter."I'll get you a ticket r

Chapter 5 Application

"What?" Zoe staggered backward in shock. "That's impossible!""You seem very sure about that," I drawled as I curled my lips into a malicious grin. "How curious, because I certainly wouldn't bet on myself failing." I'd been at the top of my cohort ever since I was a freshman.Even my teachers had told me I stood a good chance of getting into Harland if I kept up the work for my SAT.I continued, "You seem upset about the news? Why's that? Is it because Johnny didn't get number one?"All the color drained from her face as she shook her head profusely. "That's not it, Seamus! I…""I couldn't care less. Move. I have trash to take out." I swatted her hand away and went downstairs.Zoe didn't hound me. She had something more pressing to find out. Something like her results.Night came, and the group chat was still going strong."I saw the news, Seamus!""Congrats, man!""I can't believe I used to be classmates with the city's top scorer. Man, that sounds awesome!"The whole class

Chapter 6 Fury Boils

The story was that Zoe had gotten that recheck. There was no mistake, and her papers hadn't been switched. So, she was going to have to repeat a year instead of applying to any college.I was going to greet her parents, but I decided against that. The last thing I wanted was for them to think I was showing off. It was getting awkward, so I quickened my pace. Unfortunately, Zoe grabbed my hand just as I was passing her by."We need to talk, Seamus." The look in her eyes held more emotions than I could name. Our parents were here, so I didn't refuse or snap at her even though I really wanted to. She took me to the fig tree in the neighborhood.My parents were close by, waving at me. "We'll be right here, son!"Zoe still held me with that gaze. "Johnny only got 500 something for his SAT.""Huh, that's close enough to yours, you know. Repeat the year, get into a college, and then raise a family. The high-school sweetheart to forever love story.""Must you take that attitude with me

Chapter 7 Refusal

My parents heard the commotion and quickly came to my defense. They huddled around me and escorted me away."We should stop talking to Zoe and her family. If you help them too much, they might stab you in the back when you least expect it. Also, give Johnny the boot if he shows up again. Use the broom or something bigger if you want. I don't really care."My mother knew about the beef we had. Soon, my acceptance letter came, and everyone was invited to the celebration, including the neighborhood's security guard. Only Zoe and Johnny weren't invited.My classmates found out about Zoe and Johnny's abysmal scores. Fortunately, they were smart enough not to bring up even a single word about them.Right after the party was over and the guests had their sendoffs, Zoe showed up when she should still be in cram school, repeating the year. She was holding a bouquet of icy blue roses.I saw those roses while I was scrolling through my phone before the SAT. They looked magical, and I'd share

Chapter 8 It's Her Fault

"Your high school friend's here, Seamus!"Harland's term started the latest. Aside from a few seniors who were repeating the year, all my classmates had started their curriculum in their respective colleges. So, I couldn't help but wonder just who might be knocking on my door.Curiosity was swimming in my chest, but it died the moment I opened the door. I met Johnny's eyes. He grabbed my sleeve and went begging right away."You have to save me, Seamus! My folks won't let me repeat my year! Please, I just need a small loan! You know I could've scored a lot better than that! I know I can make it if I just repeat the year!"He had no idea that he hadn't failed. He only flunked it because of the sabotaged pens. I stepped away from him, my face still indifferent."I'm just a student. I have no money, and I can't help you. I'm sorry. You should talk to your parents. This is bigger than both of us."Georgie nodded profusely. She only led Johnny up because she wanted to help. Frankly, wh

Chapter 9 Attempted Murder

I ran into Zoe again during freshman year's summer vacation. I was hugging a watermelon to my chest when I ran into her taking out the trash on my way up. It seemed that her choice to repeat the year was a grueling one. She looked nothing like she did before. Instead, she looked like she'd had all her energy sapped by the cramming she was undeniably doing. Her eyes, however, were shining brighter than the afternoon sun."Seamus…" she whispered, her voice dripping with affection.I frowned. "Don't use that tone when you address me. We're not friends, not even acquaintances. I don't want anyone taking it the wrong way."Her lips disappeared into a thin line as she tucked her affection away. "Seamus, my advisor said I might get into Harland. Can you pick me up during registration? You're the only person I know who's in Harland. And I'd like one last photo with you."I paused. We were neighbors, and we did grow up together. Zoe and I would take a photo together every year to celebr

Chapter 10 His Future

On the bright side, the doctors managed to pull Zoe back from the brink of death. On the not-so-bright side, Harland University raised its acceptance scores for Figton that year. As a result, Zoe missed that line by ten points, and she had to settle for a first-rate university in the south instead of a top-tier one like Harland.When I brought my girlfriend home during junior year, we happened to bump into Zoe, who was moving out. Her eyes landed on my hand, specifically the one with my fingers intertwined with Yvonne's, and she froze. Still, she asked as if she hadn't tried to screw me over, "Is she your girlfriend?"I nodded, but I had no desire to spare her even a word. When I was showing my girlfriend my photo wall, she noticed a basket hanging outside the window. "Is this how you guys communicate? Very interesting."I pushed the window open and saw 17 photos sitting in the basket. There were two copies of the photos. I'd cut up mine into pieces, so this had to be Zoe's set.

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