The Future Texted Me the Truth, the Exam Bell Called Me to the Lies Chapter 04

The Future Texted Me the Truth, the Exam Bell Called Me to the Lies Chapter 04

“What kind of mess did you make?” Ethan snapped at Soph, then turned to me with a helpless look.

“Lila, security is about to close. It’s too expensive to refund the tickets now.”

He sighed and reached for my suitcase. “How about this? Check the next flight to the coast on your phone and book it quick. Come meet us there.”

“Soph and I will fly ahead, check into the hotel, and wait for you there. Sound good?”

Looking at his face, I felt nothing but absurdity. I didn’t even have the energy to get angry.

“No need.” I dodged his hand and said the words coldly.

Ethan paused. “What do you mean, no need?”

The boarding announcement echoed through the terminal.

He started to panic, glancing between the gate and me. “Lila, stop throwing a tantrum. Be good and book the next flight. I’ll buy you ice cream when you get there to make it up.”

He grabbed Soph’s wrist, afraid of missing the flight. “Soph, let’s go. We’re running late.”

Soph glanced back at me, a flash of secret triumph in her eyes, while her face stayed sympathetic.

“I’m sorry, Lila. I’ll scold him properly on the plane. We’ll wait for you in California!”

I thought I’d feel the way I used to — standing there crying, or stubbornly buying the next ticket to chase after them.

But I stayed rooted in place, watching their eager backs as they ditched me and rushed toward security. My heart didn’t even flutter.

I turned around, walked out of the terminal, and took a cab straight home.

—

For the next few days, my phone was flooded with messages from Ethan.

At first they were angry: [Lila, what kind of tantrum is this? The next flight already landed. Where are you?]

Then came the apologies: [Babe, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left you at the airport. Please come. Soph says it’s no fun without you.]

Finally, the frustration and rage: [Lila Whitaker, that’s enough! You always make me chase after you. If you’re not coming, fine. Don’t regret it later!]

I didn’t reply to a single one. I just turned on Do Not Disturb.

On the day SAT scores came out and college applications opened, the doorbell rang.

I opened the door to find Ethan standing there with a big bouquet of red roses.

He shoved the flowers into my arms, a confident smile on his lips. “Lila, you over it yet? You’ve ignored me for over two weeks. You should’ve learned your lesson by now.”

“Your score should be enough to get into that local college I told you about. Since you blanked that section for me, I’ll be generous and forgive your little meltdown.”

“Hurry up and submit your application so the three of us can stay together in college.”

He walked into the living room like he owned the place and kept rambling. “You don’t know how amazing California was. Too bad you missed it.”

“Soph had such a great time. She said the BBQ there was incredible. She even bought this really pretty dress…”

He couldn’t go three sentences without mentioning Soph.

I stared at his nonstop mouth and felt pure disgust.

“Ethan Caldwell,” I cut him off coldly. “Actually, I think you two are perfect for each other.”

Ethan’s voice died instantly. Panic flashed in his eyes. “Lila, stop saying stuff like that just to hurt me! We’re getting married!”

He gave me a disapproving look. “And if Soph heard you, she’d insist on keeping her distance again. Then everyone would be miserable.”

“Really?” I stared straight at him. “But on the day of the SAT, the distance between you two in that motel room was pretty much zero.”

His whole body went rigid.