Chapter 2
When we were drowning in French lessons, crying from exhaustion, neither of us had ever considered giving up. Every time we felt like we couldn’t go on, we’d pull up a picture of the Eiffel Tower and joke just to keep each other moving. The day our acceptance letters arrived, we cried and laughed at the same time, feeling like all our struggles were finally about to pay off.
Our perfect ending had been right there within reach.
And he had just let go of my hand.
Honestly, I wouldn’t have even been angry if he had just told me he wanted to change plans. But why wouldn’t he tell me? Did he really see me as that pathetic? That insignificant?
If I was such a nuisance to him, then what were those promises from that night when he held me under the stars and whispered about marrying me? Was that night just too dark, the lights too dim for him to see who he was talking to?
I curled into a ball, pulled the blanket over my head, and let myself break down in the dark.
The truth was, I wasn’t the one who couldn’t live without him.
I didn’t have separation anxiety.
He did.
Ever since we were kids, if we ended up in different schools or even different classes, he’d get moody and withdrawn. The only thing that would snap him out of it was seeing me. So I just made it a habit. I followed my own path, my own ambitions, and made sure to drag him along with me.
Terry wasn’t wrong about one thing. I had always woven him into the fabric of my future. When it didn’t compromise my dreams, I was happy to pay the price for my heart.
But that didn’t mean my love had no limits.
I closed the application portal I had accidentally opened and wiped the tears from my face.
I didn’t open it again.
He made his choice.
I was making mine.
From now on, we would go our separate ways.
I had just splashed cold water on my face when a video call from Terry popped up on my phone.
Little shadow, pick up. I want to see you.
When I didn’t answer, he tried again and again. Finally, a text came through.
We’re all at the old spot. Get over here. Take a cab.
I didn’t want to go.
Tired. Not feeling it, I typed.
The reply was instant.
Are you sick? I’m coming over.
I had just hit send when a notification from Rachel appeared.
I’m so sorry, Ava. I begged Terry to come out with us. I didn’t know you’d be upset. I’ll leave right now. As long as you come, it doesn’t matter what happens to me.
My phone suddenly felt like it was radiating poison.