West Coast, East Ivy, and the Boy Who Never Chose Me Chapter 02

West Coast, East Ivy, and the Boy Who Never Chose Me Chapter 02

I poured every bit of effort into studying during my gap year. My family spent a large sum of money hiring tutors to help me prepare.

I sailed through every question during the SAT, my pen never pausing once. I handed in the best exam paper of my entire academic life.

I took a shower after getting home and planned to unwind by scrolling through TikTok. Kael never used the app, but he posted a new video that day.

The caption read, [My girl.]

In the photo, he had his arm slung over Liora’s shoulder with a soft smile on his face. Liora bit her lower lip, her face flushed with shyness. The background was Disneyland Resort.

I had always wanted to visit that park, but Kael had always called it childish and refused to go with me.

The comment section blew up instantly.

[Yes! My favorite couple is finally official!]

[They’re literally the cutest couple. Rooting for them so hard.]

…

The video quickly climbed to the top of the trending list. Because of Kael’s popularity online, users dug up the private diary account I used to write about my feelings for him. Countless people flooded my posts with hateful comments.

[Don’t you own a mirror? How dare you chase after this popular guy when you look like that?]

[You’re so desperate. No wonder no one wants you.]

Insulting private messages kept pouring in. I locked my phone and let myself get lost in old memories.

Kael and I were next-door neighbors who had grown up side by side. He was always the first person to stand up for me whenever someone bullied me.

From elementary to middle school, he carried my schoolbag and rode his bike to take me to and from class every single day.

I found Liora getting harassed in an alleyway during ninth grade, and I stepped forward to protect her. Kael cried when he saw the cuts and bruises on my face, and he grew to dislike Liora because of what had happened.

Still, I insisted on bringing Liora into our friend group, and we all ended up attending the same high school.

Kael thought Liora was overly dramatic, while Liora found him too blunt and unromantic. After Kael and I started dating, the two of them constantly competed to get my attention.

They raced to claim the top rank in grade exams and even competed over physical fitness timings.

At what point did everything start to change?

Was it when he started buying extra snacks for Liora every time he brought me treats? Or during our study sessions, when he drifted away from helping me and ended up debating problem-solving methods with Liora instead?

I was never the sharpest student, and my grades never matched theirs. I stayed up late night after night trying to keep up with their conversations about schoolwork. Kael would gently pat my head and sigh.

“Don’t push yourself too hard, Elowen. Some things are just too hard for you to learn.”

I’d overlooked so many small signs. I’d failed to notice the way Kael’s gaze lingered on Liora, or the shy looks Liora sent his way. I’d acted like a fool, believing I was lucky enough to have both true love and a loyal best friend.

The next day, Kael and Liora showed up at my front door together.

“Elowen, that post was just a dare. We were playing Truth or Dare and I lost—don’t read into it.” Kael reached for my hand, but I sidestepped and pulled away.

“Elowen, it’s true! Please don’t get the wrong idea. I would never, ever steal my best friend’s boyfriend—not for anything.” Liora said quickly, her eyes already filling with tears. A hurt look flashed across Kael’s face. He pulled me into his arms forcefully.

“Enough with the drama. You actually blocked me? Come on.”

He took my phone and unblocked himself without asking.

“All the old crew’s meeting up tonight. Since you just survived the SAT, you should roll with us.”

Before I could refuse, the two of them pulled me outside and pushed me into their car.

Drinks flowed freely at the party, and someone shouted for Kael and Liora to share a kiss. Liora’s face turned bright red as people pushed her straight into Kael’s chest.

Kael did not offer any explanation. He wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted his glass.

“Leave my girlfriend alone. I’ll drink a toast for everyone instead.”

I sat alone in the corner, a heavy ache settling in my chest. My phone lit up with a new message from Kael.

[This is just part of the one-week couple punishment. Be good and don’t get jealous.]

I looked up and saw him shooting me a meaningful look. A group of classmates pulled me over to join their party games, and I lost round after round. The boys around me cheered and urged me to take a drink as a penalty.

I bit my lip and glanced toward Kael. He knew better than anyone that I had a severe alcohol intolerance.

Liora frowned and stepped forward, reaching for the glass with a polite smile.

“Don’t spoil it for everyone. I’ll take that instead.”

Kael yanked the glass away, his expression dark.

“You’re on your period. Don’t overdo it.”

He held the cup up to my lips, his voice soft.

“Elowen, you lost, so you’ve gotta deal with it. I’ll get you something for your allergy—you’ll be fine.”

A cold chill spread through my entire body. I stared at him with a blank face, then took the glass and drank every drop of the strong liquor in one gulp.

The burning liquid seared my throat. After eighteen years of shared history between us, I had lost completely.