บททั้งหมดของ Graduation Trip of Three, Heartbreak for One: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 9

It wasn't until a train attendant arrived with a cart selling beverages that Alexis Jink, my girlfriend, suddenly remembered me.She picked out a bottle of watermelon juice and considerately put in the straw before placing it in front of Samuel Yonder, my "younger brother" in name only.Then, she handed me a bottle of mineral water. "Ethan, I had no idea what you'd want, so I got you a bottle of water."She easily remembered that Samuel loved watermelon juice, yet she couldn't remember what I, her boyfriend, preferred.A wave of bitterness crashed through me, thoroughly snuffing out my delight at scoring unexpectedly high on my SAT.Instead of accepting the water, I hailed the attendant again and bought myself a bottle of watermelon juice.As Alexis' hand was left hanging in mid-air, her expression darkened slightly in displeasure."Ethan Grant, weren't you the one who insisted on coming on this graduation trip? Then why have you been going around with that scowl on your face th

The next morning, the ruckus coming from downstairs woke me up.I blearily climbed out of bed and headed downstairs, only to see Alexis sitting on the living room couch, clad in a dress.Upon spotting me, she waved at me with a smile. "Ethan, today's our graduation ceremony. Why aren't you ready yet?"My high fever had left me in such a daze that I hadn't read any of the class group chat messages.Before I could say anything, Samuel stepped out of his room.He was wearing the suit I had painstakingly learned how to sew together myself half a year ago. The small rabbit and fox stitched onto the chest pocket were identical to the ones on Alexis' dress, as I had meant for us to match.I had never sewn anything in my life before, so I had pricked myself with the needles countless times during the process of making the dress and suit.Samuel clutched the hem of his suit jacket anxiously. "Ethan, I really like this… Mrs. Grant said that it suits me really well, but if you're unwilling

Mom's phone dropped to the floor with a clatter as she froze on the spot, utterly stunned.Shocked at her response, Dad leaned down to pick up the phone before asking in disbelief, "Ms. Carletta, could you be mistaken? Even Samuel only managed to score 1480. How could Ethan have possibly scored so high?"Upon hearing that, Ms. Carletta was even more confused. She genuinely couldn't understand how my parents could care so little for me. Not only had they been unaware of my results until she told them, but instead of being happy for me, their first reaction was disbelief and doubt."Mr. Grant, I'm absolutely certain that he did exceptionally well this time. Ethan truly did score 1580 on his test."In an instant, all the strength drained from Dad, and he slumped back into his seat.At that exact moment, the host invited them onto the stage, since they were Samuel's "parents", to give a speech. The spotlight focused on their faces, throwing their ghastly pale complexions into stark co

After I disembarked the plane, I turned on my phone again.Immediately, it began chiming rapidly and incessantly, as though it had been struck by a virus. Over a hundred message notifications started flying by my screen, along with countless missed calls from different people.Mom had messaged me. "Ethan, how could you be so reckless? Why didn't you tell us that you scored so highly?""Ethan, where did you go? When will you finally stop making me worry over you so much?"Alexis had also bombarded me with several texts."Ethan, you actually did so well on your SAT this time! How wonderful! Now, we can all go to Jocaster University together!""Stop with your tantrum already. You're making Mrs. Grant so worried again. Hurry up and come back home.""Let's go to the campus together in a few days to check in."I read all the messages with a frown, then deleted them and blocked their numbers.The moment I stepped out of the airport, a gentle breeze welcomed me to the city of Greenh

Alexis was standing outside the academic building, looking significantly more haggard than before. When she spotted me, her eyes lit up."Ethan! I came to look for you many times, and now, I finally got to see you!"She spoke in a piteous tone, her voice thick with unshed tears. As she stepped forward to hug me, I took several steps back."Alexis Jink, just what are you playing at? Aren't you done with your act yet?"I'd liked Alexis for many years, and in all those years, I had never once spoken to her so harshly.Stunned, she stood rooted to the spot."Ethan… What are you saying? Do you have any idea just how much I've missed you? I've been waiting for you at Jocaster University all this time. Why did you have to apply for Greenhill University?"I glanced at the time. Upon realizing that class was about to start, I lost all patience and decided to be straightforward with her. "Because I didn't want to see you and Samuel. I think that you're an eyesore and can't stand the sig