All Chapters of I Was Already Gone: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

12 Chapters

Chapter 1 Always a Minute Too Late

I really was slower than everyone else at everything.So much so that by the time I finished submitting my application choices and checked the time, it was exactly the final minute before the deadline. There was no way to make any changes anymore.The thought that, for the next four years, I would be almost 2,000 miles away from Alexa made it hard to breathe.Just as the weight of it pressed down on my chest, my phone suddenly rang."Ian, it's getting late. Aren't you ready yet? Natalie booked the class gathering for six. We're the only ones missing. Hurry up!"Hearing the impatience in Alexa's voice, I scrambled to my feet and rushed out.I moved so fast that the edge of the chair scraped my leg, but I did not even stop to look. Even so, by the time I reached the school gate, all I saw was the fading exhaust of a car speeding away.I stood there, frozen, as my phone rang again.When I picked up, it was Zane's voice coming through from Alexa's number. "Sorry, Ian. Our ride got

Chapter 2 The Spare

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

Chapter 3 Just Friends

My face flushed crimson with embarrassment, and the hand hanging beneath the table clenched tightly into a fist.Perhaps sensing how awkward I felt, Alexa set her glass down with a heavy thud. "What's with all the speculation? The three of us are just friends.""Oh… just friends…" Natalie sang teasingly.Zane quickly waved his hands. "Cut it out, guys. My mom said I'm only allowed to date after I start college. No dating in high school."Alas, what was meant as an explanation only pushed the atmosphere to a new high."Oh, so it's because Zane's family is strict that you two didn't date? Well then, now's the perfect time to confess!""Exactly! Alexa, Zane's family is strict, but yours isn't. Why don't you just confess to him right now?"More and more classmates joined in, their voices rising in excitement, but Alexa said nothing. Instead, she looked at me."Ian, why do you look so awful? Alexa's about to confess!"My mind went completely blank.While I was still flustered, try

Chapter 4 Don't Be Unreasonable

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

Chapter 5 The Promise I Kept Alone

I heard Alexa's slightly guilty explanation in my ear. "Ian, don't get the wrong idea. I didn't tell you because of your fear of water. It wasn't that I didn't want to bring you. Anyway, we're both going to Ashford University. When winter break comes, I'll go wherever you want with you. I can even leave Zane out of it."I looked up at her.Her eyes were bright, as if she were already looking forward to all the laters she had just promised me.The words that had been sitting on my lips could no longer be held back. "Alexa, I applied to South—""Alexa, did you see the photo booth pictures we took? Did we leave them with the security guard by accident?" Zane's sudden exclamation cut me off.Before I could take the photos out of my bag to give them to him, he had already hurriedly pulled Alexa away.A moment later, Alexa sent me a message on WhatsApp.'We took those photo booth pictures while waiting for you—Zane dragged me along. I'll take another set with you later, just the two o

Chapter 6 Walking the Same Path

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.

Chapter 7 Parting at Summer's End

With the Keller siblings by my side, the next four mountains turned into some of the most enjoyable days of my trip.And just as they had promised, through an entire summer and five separate hikes, not once did they rush me. In fact, whenever I so much as started to feel tired on the trail, the two of them would immediately call out, "I'm exhausted. Let's take five."When we ordered food, they never hurried me along either when I took my time browsing the menu as they would scroll through reviews while looking at the dishes, then discuss everything with me before deciding what we should eat together.When they noticed the eczema on my hands, they did not say anything about it, but during that stretch of time, not a single dish that I needed to avoid ever appeared on the table.They were so thoughtful that even when I occasionally came across photos of Zane and Alexa together on social media, I did not feel that familiar pang of loneliness.When Zane sent me his usual bragging mess

Chapter 8 Almost the Same, Almost Different

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

Chapter 9 The Suitcase Left Behind

Something I said must have struck a nerve with Alexa, because her face flushed red with anger. "Well, glad you know it!"With that, she slammed the door and stormed out, leaving the suitcase full of gifts behind.I looked at the empty space still left inside it. After a moment's thought, I began packing everything Alexa had ever given me over the years into the suitcase, including the basketball keychain I had once treated like a little treasure, carrying it with me wherever I went.I filled it to the brim, so full it was almost impossible to close.Then I reminded my mom to wait until Alexa called her the next day before returning the suitcase to her house. After that, I picked up the luggage I had already prepared, stepped out the door, and headed for my flight to Southaven.This time, I still arrived just at the last minute. But thankfully, there was no one rushing me along. There was, though, a message from Stella.'Don't rush. Stay safe. If you miss this flight, there's alwa

Chapter 10 A Game That Went Too Far

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.

1 2

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP