Not Your Bet to Make Chapter 04

Not Your Bet to Make Chapter 04

I didn’t wait for Asher’s explanation. What came instead was Tiffany’s Instagram Story.

Asher in every frame.

He took her to Six Flags. Roller coasters.

Took her to the aquarium. Jellyfish.

They saw the new Marvel movie together.

Every post. “My little servant.”

Every post said the same thing. Didn’t need sound. I heard it anyway: He’s mine now.

I didn’t react. Just quietly packed.

Before graduation I’d set a goal. If my scores were good enough I’d reward myself. Trip to Hawaii.

I crushed the SAT. 1530. Goal met.

Got to the airport. Spotted two familiar figures.

Asher and Tiffany.

Asher looked uncomfortable. Mouth opening and closing. Nothing coming out.

Tiffany spoke first.

“Grace, don’t get the wrong idea. My parents gave me graduation money. I got lonely thinking about traveling alone so I brought Asher along. He’s my servant after all.”

Asher wore her pink Jansport backpack. Dragged her pink suitcase. Her wireless earbuds hung around his neck.

Movements smooth. Practiced. Like he was carrying his girlfriend’s things.

I looked at him. He dodged my eyes.

I said nothing. Got in line to board.

Hawaii. Same destination. Of course.

I kept my distance. Did my own thing.

Asher found excuses to show up.

Coconut water. Sunscreen. Offering to take photos.

I pushed him away. He kept coming back.

The day we were supposed to fly home, my luggage disappeared.

Asher and Tiffany acted frantic. Tore the place apart looking for it.

I’d learned not to trust sudden concern.

Turned a corner. Heard them.

Asher’s voice. Tight. Pushing.

“It’s been five hours. The prank’s gone far enough. Give Grace her stuff back.”

I stopped. They hid my things.

Tiffany shook her head.

“No. Grace depends on us for everything. She needs to learn independence.”

Asher’s jaw tightened.

“That’s not your problem. Grace and I are going to the same college. I’ll take care of her.”

Tiffany snapped.

“You’re still my servant. Push back again and I’m done playing nice.”

“Let’s bet. How long until Grace figures out her luggage is in the first-floor women’s bathroom stall.”

I turned. Walked away. No sound.

Last stall. My suitcase sat on the toilet lid.

I grabbed it. Called an Uber to the airport.

Phone buzzed. Asher. Text: “Where are you? We’re still looking for your luggage.”

Didn’t reply. Bought the earliest flight. Left.

Got home. Mom screamed at me.

“You just disappear without a word? Do you know how worried Asher was? He called me.”

“How did I raise such an ungrateful child. Asher and Tiffany must’ve been cursed in a past life to end up stuck with you.”

Dad grumbled alongside her.

I said nothing. Went inside. Packed my things.

The day the acceptance emails came, I told no one. Grabbed my suitcase. Went to the airport.

Before boarding. Asher’s text.

“You got your acceptance, right? We can be together again now.”

“Where are you? I have a surprise.”

Didn’t reply. Blocked his number. Deleted.

From now on, anyone and anything that makes me unhappy disappears from my life. Forever.