Todos los capítulos de I Was Already Gone: Capítulo 1 - Capítulo 10

It had been the first time in the four years of high school that Alexa had ever suggested she would do something with me—and without bringing Zane along.I had been so happy that I barely slept that night.Before leaving in the morning, I had even changed into an outfit Alexa once said looked good on me. But now, not only had she not accompanied me to submit our applications, she had gone with someone else to do the very thing she had promised me.For a moment, I was so upset I could not say a single word. I just stood there stiffly, listening as the security guard continued, "That couple you're friends with is really something—both top students. I heard they both got into Ashford University. Way better than those kids who let puppy love ruin their studies. And they look good together too. Quite the match."He paused, then gave me a once-over from head to toe. "Didn't expect an ordinary-looking kid like you to have two such outstanding friends."Embarrassment surged through me. I

Seeing me staring blankly at my phone, Alexa nudged my arm, her tone a little unnatural. "The signal near the school wasn't great, so we could only grab tickets one by one. If you want to go, I can find a reseller to get you one. It just means you won't be able to sit with me.""Don't be upset, Ian," Zane hurried to add. "If you want to go, I can give you my ticket.""No!" Alexa cut him off immediately, shooting me a displeased glance. "You've liked Taylor Seawell for years. Why should you give your ticket to someone else? Ian, don't be unreasonable."I had not even said anything, yet I was already labeled as unreasonable. That set something off in me. "I didn't want to go anyway."I was telling the truth.Even though I had liked Taylor Seawell for ten years, the concert was scheduled the day before the semester started, and it was in Ashford. Southaven University was almost 2,000 miles away from Ashford. There was no way I would have the time to go.I spoke seriously, but Alexa

I did not block Alexa a second time. Still, for the entire summer, we silently fell into a mutual understanding. We did not contact each other. Each of us continued on our own separate journey.Hiking Mount Granite at night, I saw the vast sea of clouds and the sunrise spilling across the horizon.On the way down, my legs were so weak that I could barely feel them anymore. Step by step, I inched downward, slow as a snail.A travel companion I had met by chance, Silas Keller, did not mind my pace at all. Instead, he waited for me, cheering me on the whole way. "Ian, you're amazing! Your legs are shaking this much, yet you're still insisting on walking down yourself. From now on, you're my idol!"His praise made me blush. Embarrassed, I said, "Why don't you go ahead? I'm too slow. I don't want to hold up your schedule."Before Silas could respond, his sister Stella Keller, who had come with him, smiled. "Don't worry, you're not holding us up. He's probably hoping you go even slower.

My face flushed instantly.Luckily, the boarding announcement sounded just then. I let out a quick hum of acknowledgment and hurried off, escaping the moment.Behind me, Silas' voice immediately rose in protest, accusing Stella of something again.…By the time I got home, there was only one week left before school started.I spent those days buying everything I needed and meeting up, one after another, with classmates who were also heading to Ashford University.When they heard that I had applied to Southaven University on my own, they did not believe it at first. But soon, they nodded firmly."Ian, honestly, I think it's best if you keep your distance from Alexa and Zane. One of them hides behind 'just friends' while being vague, and the other's a total hypocritical bastard. Staying around them will just drain you more and more."Thinking back to how their disdain had once made me feel worthless, I lifted my glass with a small smile. "Yeah. Things will only get better from he

At first, the plan worked remarkably well.When Alexa arrived at the school gates with Zane riding behind her, the smile on Ian's lips visibly dimmed. Only by a fraction. So faintly that most people would not have noticed.But Alexa did.They had grown up together. She knew Ian too well.Seeing him look so quietly unhappy filled her with a strange mix of satisfaction and guilt. So when Zane asked for her contact that day, she didn't give it to him right away. Instead, she turned to Ian and asked, "Ian, we've known each other forever. If someone asks for my WhatsApp number, do you think I should give it or not?"Seeing Ian's face flush red gave her a surge of satisfaction."Do whatever you want."But instead of stopping her with jealousy, he simply turned away, as if trying to keep his distance.Alexa froze for a moment.She knew Ian was bashful. If she wanted a reaction, she had to push harder. So she added Zane anyway.As it happened, Zane ended up in the same class as them.