The College List I Crossed Out To Escape His Shadow Chapter 03

The College List I Crossed Out To Escape His Shadow Chapter 03

Remembering the last time I’d waited an entire afternoon for him, I made myself a promise that morning.

If he was late, I wouldn’t wait.

But this time, he showed up right on time at the neighborhood entrance.

While we waited for the county bus, he asked, “Why do you want to do this hike anyway?”

I pulled up the event page. “For the finisher medal.”

He glanced over and murmured, “Oh, there’s even a medal.”

“It’s kind of cute.”

I zoomed in on the photo. “They actually have two different designs.”

“The trail isn’t that steep either. If I have time, I might do the loop twice.”

“Look, this part even spins…”

I was mid-sentence, excited to show him the little rotating detail, when I looked up and realized he’d straightened and was typing furiously on his phone, replying to someone.

The rest of the sentence died in my throat. The smile froze on my face.

I pulled my phone back and stayed quiet.

The bus pulled up.

I made it to the door before I realized he still hadn’t moved.

Thinking of how he’d blamed me for not calling for him last time, I gripped my phone and shouted, “Leo! Let’s go!”

He didn’t look up. “I’m not going anymore.”

I stood there frozen until the driver barked at me to get on.

I scrambled aboard. As the bus pulled away, I told myself, 　　it’s fine, Sasha. You planned to do this alone anyway.

The mountain wasn’t high. 　　By late morning, I’d already claimed my first medal.

I grabbed lunch at a diner near the trailhead, then headed back up.

And halfway to the summit, I saw him.

The guy who’d bailed on me that morning was sitting with a group, his back turned.

I spotted Maya among them. She smiled and asked Leo, “Didn’t you and Sasha go to the same school forever? Your grades were pretty much the same, right? Think you’ll end up at the same college?”

Leo took a swig from his water bottle and leaned back against the rocks. “All that school stuff when we were kids, none of it was my choice. This time, I’m picking for myself.”

Maya pressed, “So that’s a no?”

Leo didn’t deny it.

She glanced my way, and I yanked my gaze away in total humiliation. 　　I pushed into the crowd and slipped past the trail shelter behind them.

So that’s what he’d meant when he’d asked about my college choice. 　　He wanted nothing to do with going to the same school.

That evening, I came home to find my mom had invited Leo’s family over. 　　He showed up carrying a homemade apple pie.

Diane threw an arm around my shoulder, beaming. “Leo told me you two went hiking today. How was it? Are you exhausted?”

We? 　　I turned to look at Leo. 　　He was planted on the couch across the room, not paying the slightest attention.

My mind flicked back to that dinner.

I understood now. 　　He’d used me as his alibi again. 　　“It was fine. Not too tiring. And the medals turned out really pretty.”

I smiled, led Diane to my room, and showed her both medals.

After dinner, I found a moment alone with Leo. 　　“Stop using me as your alibi.”

Confusion flickered across his face. “What?”

I kept my voice flat. “Your mom asked me about the hike just now.”

His posture snapped tight. “What did you tell her? You didn’t…”

“I didn’t say anything.”

I cut him off before he could finish accusing me, and stood up. 　　“But next time, I won’t cover for you.”