I’m Done Being My Genius Boyfriend’s Secret Chapter 03

I’m Done Being My Genius Boyfriend’s Secret Chapter 03

Briar’s face went stiff.

She bit her lip and said quietly, “Is Kira upset because of me?”

Tristan’s face went cold.

He set the iced soda back on the table.

“Ignore her. She’s being dramatic.”

“It’s nothing—she always blows things out of proportion.”

The table went quiet.

Everyone looked between us.

I pressed my hands to my eyes.

Tears still slipped through my fingers.

I grabbed my bag, pushed my chair back, and ran out of the restaurant.

—

I cried the whole way home.

My eyes burned. My throat was raw.

My mom was in the living room.

She looked up when I walked in.

“You fought with Tristan again? He messaged me—said you blocked him.”

I was quiet for a moment.

It took him all night to notice.

“What did he say?”

“Nothing much. Just reminded me to make sure you apply to colleges close to his.”

She sighed. “Tristan’s a good kid.”

“You’ve known each other since you were little.”

“He’s always looked out for you. It’s a shame—your grades are average, you’re not exactly striking, and he doesn’t see you that way.”

“If he did, I’d be happy for you.”

I kept my eyes down.

She kept going. “We don’t know much about applications.”

“Ask Tristan for advice. I saw him helping his girlfriend with her college list a few days ago—he was so serious about it.”

“Stayed late at her place, going through everything.Kids these days, huh.”

My fingers curled into my palm.

She kept talking. “When I dropped something off, I saw his notes—all covered in writing.”

“He told her she needed to aim for Columbia, find the right program.”

I stood frozen.

Tristan and I had agreed to apply to schools in the same city.

New York schools were hard to get into.

My SAT wasn’t bad—but not great either.

I’d asked him to help me with my Personal Statement.

He’d been on his phone. “Your Personal Statement won’t fix your transcript.”

“You’re not getting into a good public school. And you don’t have any real strengths anyway.”

I’d made excuses for him back then.

Told myself he was a genius—he only saw Columbia, perfect scores, elite programs.

Now I couldn’t pretend anymore.

Mom added, “Your counselor called too.”

“Said New York schools are tough. She told me to talk you out of it. You—”

“Mom, I’m not going to New York.”

I looked up and smiled. “I’ll go to Wyoming.”

“In-state tuition, low cost of living. No pressure on you.”

I went to my room, closed the door, and slid down against it.

From Wyoming to New York—more than 2,500 kilometers.

Far enough that I wouldn’t have to run after him anymore.

—

A few days later, the acceptance letter arrived.

University of Wyoming. Geology.

Mom grabbed her phone to tell everyone.

I stopped her.

“Wait. Let me tell them when I leave.”

I barely went out that summer.

Mom noticed I was down but didn’t know how to help.

She kept telling me to get some air.

I didn’t expect to run into Tristan and Briar at the airport.

They were wearing matching outfits. They looked like a couple.

Tristan’s eyes lit up when he saw me.

Then he went cold. “You’re not still mad? You blocked me—now you’re here?”

I blinked—then remembered.

Before the SAT, he’d booked a trip to cheer me up.

He’d said we’d go after applications were done.

Today was the day.

Briar forced a smile and stepped back. “Since Kira’s here, I won’t go.”

Tristan pulled her close.

“Of course you’re going. You’ve been planning this for days.”

He didn’t remember I’d planned it.

I’d stayed up nights putting that itinerary together.

I was about to say I wouldn’t go—but he’d already walked off to buy a ticket.

Briar turned to me.

“Some gaps can’t be closed. He needs someone who can keep up.”

She smiled. “After the SAT, I asked him if he’d give us a try.”

“You know what he said?”