All Chapters of Everything But Me: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

When the train pulled into the station, I picked up my suitcase and stepped onto the platform.The doors slid shut behind me, and the sweltering July heat wrapped around me in an instant.I stood there watching the high-speed train slowly pull away. Through the window, the two people in those seats were still laughing and chatting, completely oblivious to the fact that the person beside them was gone.Dragging my suitcase behind me, I walked out of the station and bought a ticket for the next train home.By the time I got back, it was already dark.Just then, my phone rang.I answered, and two faces crowded the screen."Ensley Keller, where did you go?" Emerald Spencer asked before anyone else could speak. "We didn't realize you were gone until we got off the train."I almost laughed.A living, breathing person had disappeared, and they hadn't noticed until they reached their destination.Bridger Lewis frowned. "What's wrong with you? Why'd you leave without saying a word?"

Two days later, I was wrapping up the last of my work handover.Just like always, Emerald walked over to my desk and affectionately linked her arm through mine."Ensley, my name's still on this project, right? We're best friends. What's yours is mine. If I ever get a project of my own in the future, I'll make sure to include you too."After graduation, Emerald and I joined the same company. I'd taken her under my wing, leading her through one project after another. Even when she hadn't contributed a thing, I still added her name to the final project credits.But this time, I didn't feel like being so generous.After brushing Emerald off, I moved her name below mine on the project roster. Once I left for my transfer, the final wrap-up report for the project would fall to her.Not long after Emerald left, I got a call from the wedding venue coordinator."Ms. Keller, your wedding rehearsal was scheduled for two o'clock this afternoon. Neither you nor Mr. Lewis has arrived. Do you n

Ignoring the expressions on everyone's faces, I turned and walked away.Footsteps quickly came after me."Ensley!" Bridger grabbed my wrist so hard that it jerked my whole body backward.I stopped but didn't turn around. Instead, I lowered my eyes to the hand wrapped tightly around my wrist."Are you done yet?" He was breathing hard, his voice laced with irritation and unwillingness to let go. "What was that about, returning the bracelet to my mom? Are you really ending things between us?"I turned to face him. "Bridger, don't I feel pain too?"He froze.Slowly, I pulled my arm free. Angry red marks were already forming where his fingers had dug into my wrist."On the scale in your heart, I'm always the lighter side. You don't remember when I got hurt. You can't remember what I'm allergic to. Even after I reminded you about our anniversary for an entire month, you still forgot."But when Emerald casually mentions something she likes, you remember it. You write down the foods s

Life in Northgate was even more peaceful than I'd imagined. Over the past two weeks, I'd only called my parents to let them know I was safe. I ignored every other message.Emerald sent me well over a hundred texts.The last one read: "We've been friends for so many years. Are you really throwing all of that away?"After that, no more messages came.My new supervisor was Michelle Faulkner. She was a woman in her forties who worked with decisive efficiency, yet she treated me especially well.During my first week in Northgate, she'd casually asked about my relationship status.When I told her I'd just ended an engagement, she'd been quiet for two seconds before patting me on the shoulder. "There are plenty of good men out there. I'll help you find one."I'd thought she was joking.Until Friday afternoon, when she called me into her office with a smile and slid a business card across the desk.Declan Pearson.Architect."He's the son of an old classmate of mine. Handsome, great