West Coast, East Ivy, and the Boy Who Never Chose Me Chapter 03

West Coast, East Ivy, and the Boy Who Never Chose Me Chapter 03

The last thing I registered before blacking out was the panicked expressions on Kael and Liora’s faces.

When I woke up in the hospital bed, the room was empty. I was pale and weak as I picked up my phone. A new social media post from Liora popped up on my feed.

[Kael made me warm honey ginger tea. ]

The photo showed a pair of large hands holding a bowl of the drink, and a wristwatch stood out clearly in the frame. That watch was the two-year anniversary gift I’d saved up half a year’s living expenses to buy for Kael.

Kael had been spoiled by his family his whole life and never cooked a single meal. I’d even begged him once to make me a simple instant noodle bowl, but he’d refused without hesitation.

The comment section was flooded with well wishes for the couple. I tapped the like button on the post. It was deleted only one second later.

I was not surprised at all. The two of them always hid behind fake masks whenever they were around me.

The hospital door swung open, and Kael walked in carrying a paper bag. He sat down beside my bed, acting warm and affectionate.

“You know you can’t drink, so why’d you chug the whole thing? Don’t be stupid just to get back at me.”

He set a food container on the bedside table.

“Here. I made you oatmeal—I never cook for anyone, so you should be honored.”

I opened the container silently. A takeout review card slipped out from the bottom of the box. I took a slow spoonful of porridge and spoke in a calm tone.

“Kael, let’s break up.”

He froze where he stood, completely stunned.

“What are you even talking about? We said we’d tell everyone once you got into WCU.”

“You don’t love me anymore. It’s Liora now, isn’t it?”

I looked straight into his eyes, and a faint twinge of pain tugged at my heart. Kael grew flustered and reached out to grab my hand.

“I can’t stand that girl, Elowen, I—”

I pulled my hand away sharply, then picked up the porridge bowl and dumped its contents all over his head. All the emotions I’d held back exploded in that moment.

“You can’t stand her? Then why’d you blow me off during study sessions and only help her with the subjects she sucked at?”

“Why’d you only care about her sprained ankle when some guy asked me out? Why’d you make her hot drinks, then lie to me about takeout oatmeal?”

“And why’d you refuse to admit we were even together—just make me look stupid the whole time?”

People stuck their heads around the hospital door to watch the commotion. Kael was the most admired student around, and he had never looked so disheveled and embarrassed in his life. He felt both shocked and furious.

“Calm down. I’ll explain everything to you later.”

Kael turned and left. I gripped the bed sheets tightly until my knuckles turned white, fighting back the stinging tears in my eyes.

I thought exposing the truth would keep Kael and Liora away from me for good, but I’d underestimated how shameless they could be.

On the day I was discharged from the hospital, a car pulled up right in front of me.

“Elowen, we’re here to pick you up!”

“Remember what we planned? We said we’d drive to the beach and watch the sunrise once you finished your gap year stuff.”

Liora jumped out of the car and slipped her arm through mine, acting like nothing ever went wrong.

“You still mad at me?” Kael grabbed my suitcase, looking helpless. “You can hit me again if you want. Will you come watch the sunrise with us?”

I said nothing and stared at Liora. A bright hickey on her neck caught my eye. Liora quickly pulled her collar up, glared at Kael and stepped hard on his foot.

“Watch how you talk to my best friend!”

I watched them flirt and bicker with a cold smirk on my face. I lifted my luggage and tossed it roughly into the back of the car.

“Fine. Let’s go right now.”

I wanted to see exactly what scheme they were plotting.