I Dreamed He’d BEG for My Love in 2 Years—So I Kept My Distance While He Scorned Me Chapter 08

I Dreamed He’d BEG for My Love in 2 Years—So I Kept My Distance While He Scorned Me Chapter 08

Legally, she was my guardian.

Emotionally, she was my mom.

She looked shocked when she saw me.

Then she blocked the person behind her from view and scowled.

“What are you doing here?”

I told her the truth.

“I got kicked out.”

“I have the SAT soon. I have nowhere to stay.”

She froze, then poked my forehead hard. “Useless.”

She complained the whole time, but she took me to a small apartment.

“Move out as soon as you’re done with the SAT.”

I stared at her hand as she signed the lease.

I had so much I wanted to say.

I wanted her to hug me like she used to.

But I stayed quiet.

I just nodded and watched her leave with her new baby.

After that, Mr. Thorne called to check on me, just like Kael said he would.

I told him everything was fine.

He didn’t sense anything was wrong.

He just told me to call if I needed anything.

I thanked him sincerely.

I quit my part-time job.

I poured every second into studying.

I saw Kael in hallways and the library sometimes.

But as our scores got closer –

as I passed him again and again, taking first place

he faded from my sight.

At least I didn’t jump when I turned around and saw him standing there anymore.

It rained on the day the SAT ended, just like I knew it would.

The test center was crowded with reporters and parents.

I knew no one would be there for me.

But I still glanced at the crowd anyway.

I smiled at myself and carried my books to the recycling center.

One hundred twenty-three dollars and sixty cents.

That was three years of my life.

A lucky reward from the universe.

I turned down my friends’ invitation to celebrate.

I stuffed the money in my pocket, thinking about where I’d stay next.

Then I saw him.

The pale boy in white.

He pressed a finger to his lips and mouthed:

“I snuck out.”

In that moment, all my worries vanished.

Only pure, relieved joy remained.

My eyes stung. I called out.

“Silas!”

He bent down and patted my head, guilt in his eyes.

“I’m late.”

I knew why he’d come.

I was grateful, but I turned him down anyway.

He looked confused when I stepped back.

I smiled softly.

“Thank you, Silas.”

“But I don’t need this anymore.”

A hundred dollars was enough for a three-night stay at a youth hostel.

I’d find a room-and-board job by then.

I’d survive.

Without leaning on anyone.

Silas looked hurt.

But he didn’t push me.

He rented me his apartment instead.

I tried to say no.

He immediately put on a sad, wounded face.

“Fine. You’re all grown up. You don’t need me anymore.”

He shoved the keys into my hand, clutched his chest, and hurried back to the car, yelling for the driver to go.

I stood there, lips pressed together.

Finally, I waved at the car fading in the distance.

“Silas, take care! I’ll buy you a big meal when you come back!”

A hand stuck out the rolling window.

Thumb and index finger touched – a perfect OK sign.

I smiled.