The College List I Crossed Out To Escape His Shadow Chapter 05

The College List I Crossed Out To Escape His Shadow Chapter 05

“Wha… Mrs. Hart, that’s… that’s not possible.”

Leo’s voice cracked. His smile collapsed.

The book he’d brought to return nearly slipped from his hands.

My mom’s eyebrows shot up. “You really didn’t know? You two didn’t discuss your applications

at all?”

Leo’s eyes darted away. He clutched the book and couldn’t speak.

Downstairs, Diane honked for him, and he finally found his voice. “I should go, Mrs. Hart.”

He turned, and both finisher medals clipped to his backpack clattered to the floor, one after

the other.

He didn’t seem to hear it. He kept walking, dazed.

My mom scooped them up and pressed them back into his palm.

He just blinked and murmured, “Thanks, Mrs. Hart.”

When he climbed into the car, Diane started the engine.

“I told

you

Sasha already left for school, but you wouldn’t believe me.”

“What happened between you two? I didn’t see Sasha once all summer.”

Leo rubbed his thumb over one of the medals.

“Mom, can I leave for school a day late?”

Diane frowned. “Why? Is there something you still haven’t finished?”

“You had the entire summer. How is it not done?”

“Honestly, you’ve known Sasha all these years, why can’t you be more like her? She never makes a fuss about heading off to school.”

Leo lowered his gaze. A long pause, then he spoke quietly.

“Mom, can you please stop saying things like that.”

He squeezed the medal, his voice going rough

“Can you stop comparing me to someone else all the time.”

Diane laughed it off. “Sasha’s not just ‘someone else.’ I can’t even mention her?”

He turned toward the window and murmured, “That’s exactly why I don’t want to hear her

name in that context.”

“I’m scared that if I hear it too much, I’ll start resenting her.”

“I don’t want to resent her.”

I didn’t end up applying to Westbrook.

His relentless questioning had soured the school for me completely.

At the last minute, I pivoted and chose a local option with a similar academic reputation, Lakeview State University.

It was close to home. Convenient.

I came back on weekends. Over holidays and breaks, I traveled, picked up part-time jobs, or did volunteer work.

Basically, I made sure I wasn’t home.

Right before fall break of my junior year, my mom called. “Sasha, are you coming home for the break?”

I tossed a hoodie onto my bed. “Mom, I told you, I signed up for a volunteer event.”

“Besides, I’m home practically every weekend. Missing me already?”

My mom sighed on the other end. Then she said, quieter, “I ran into Leo at dinner today. He asked me again, on the sly, when you’d be back.”

“Ever since you two started college, he’s come home for nearly every break. And every break, you’re gone.”

“It’s been a long time since you two have been in the same room, hasn’t it.”

“Sasha, you’ve clearly been dodging him for years. Would you just tell me what happened?”