A Future Not Worth Chasing의 모든 챕터: 챕터 1 - 챕터 9

When I couldn't find the words to respond to my mom's outburst, my childhood friend, Demi Walker, quickly stepped in to calm things down."Mrs. Fox, the surgery's coming up soon. Once Javion donates his kidney, he won't be able to play basketball anymore..."My mom went still, as if the weight of my brother's sacrifice had just crashed back into her mind."We owe Javion so much," she murmured.Javion Fox, my brother, stayed silent. He clutched his basketball to his chest and traced its surface with trembling fingers, unwilling to let it slip away.My dad sighed deeply and put out his cigarette under his shoe. "Javion, how about I take you to Trinity? We can walk around the campus and check out the basketball courts. You've always wanted to go there, so you should see it for yourself."Javion's eyes sparked with hope, only for the light to vanish. He stared at the basketball in his arms and shook his head. "What's the point? I have to save Louis. Once I give him my kidney, I'll ne

I held a hand against my burning cheek and said nothing.It felt like a sharp hole had been ripped open in my chest, and every breath rubbed against the sore edges, making the pain worse.I thought, 'So, that's how you see me, Mom—a burden who only takes and never gives back. But don't worry. You won't have to deal with me much longer. Please take care of yourself when I'm gone.'Samuel gave an awkward smile, trying to ease the tension. "Mrs. Fox, why don't you leave the test results with me? I'll go through them."With him watching, my mom held back her anger. She took my hand and helped me outside, steadying me as I got on the back of her scooter.I leaned against her back, and for the first time in ages, I felt safe."Your dad and I talked it over," she said as we rode. "Javion may not be able to attend Trinity, but we're still going to throw him a dinner to celebrate his acceptance. Everyone should know the Fox family has a genius."Her voice glowed with pride whenever she m

On the way home, Javion leaned against our mom's back, his eyes puffy and raw from crying. "Mom, don't you think we've been a little too hard on Louis?"My mom held back a sob before answering, "We've spoiled him his whole life because he's sick. Maybe it's time he learned that what he does has consequences.""But..."Before Javion could finish, my mom stopped the scooter."It's getting late," she murmured. "He's never had to find his way home alone before."My dad, who was riding alongside them on his own scooter, sighed. "Why don't you two head home? I'll go back and get him."Javion bit his lip. "Maybe he does need to learn a lesson, but he's never had to deal with anything like this before."His eyes filled with tears again. I hovered over him, trying to brush them away, but my hands couldn't reach him. 'Don't cry, Javion. I'm already where I should be. You have to live a great life, okay? Shine as brightly as you can.'My parents went quiet as they looked at Javion. He was

At the police station, my body lay motionless beneath a white sheet—no more anger, laughter, or tears. I would never trouble anyone again.My mom stood beside the examination table, her hands shaking too much to lift the sheet."It's not him, right?" she whispered, turning to my dad as though he could somehow reassure her.My dad reached for the sheet, but as soon as his fingers touched it, he pulled his hand back. He couldn't believe the body under it was me."He was about to have surgery," my dad whispered, his voice trembling. "He was finally going to get better. Why would he kill himself?"Javion clenched his jaw and stepped forward."If you two can't look, I will." He stared at the sheet, trying to convince himself. "It's not Louis. It can't be."Then, before he could lose his nerve, he pulled it back.There I was.My face was peaceful, with a slight smile still on my lips. There was no doubt it was me.Javion staggered backward, staring at me in disbelief. His knees buc

After my funeral, life gradually moved on. Days became weeks, and little by little, everyone started finding their way forward.My parents finally went to the hospital for the CT scans I'd arranged, and the results showed they both needed surgery.…Meanwhile, Javion went to Trinity University carrying his favorite basketball.Demi also focused hard on her studies. Later, I heard she even got a scholarship.Watching them from above, I couldn't help but smile. 'Things really are getting better without me, just as I hoped.'Once my parents had recovered from surgery, Javion was back on the basketball court, and Demi had made it to Fairmont to pursue her dreams, I could finally leave in peace.And somehow, heaven seemed to be looking out for us.My parents' surgeries went well. Javion even took a break from school to come home and help care for them.…One afternoon, he sat beside their beds and carefully peeled an apple."I won the national college basketball championship," he