Chapter 5
SAT was just two weeks away:
We had practice tests almost every day:[]
The atmosphere was brose []
Dur homeroom teacher changed the last self study period to free time
Maddie leaned toward me
“After SAT. I’ll be separated from my crush.“[]
“This isn1 SAT season–its the end of anrequited love season.”
I recalled passing by the playground over when she pointed out a boy to me, calling him her crush]]
He wore glasses with lenses as thick as her bottles and always had his nose in a book.[]
Maddie had ran to bring him water, but he’d just glanced at her and salt||
“Give it up, Madison. I won’t date someone who’s falling like you.
was about to
to comfort Maddie, but she said.]
“That’s my cold, brilliant scholar so harsh, but I love it [
MF]
Maddie’s judgment seemed seriously impaired [
“Lily, do you want to date anyone? |
Dating?
My pen froze mid stroke ||
ow my neck.]
I felt someone’s breath on my i
They seemed to be waiting for by answer too.
I shook my head
“Lating is less productive than doing anoilver practice test
Late that night, Chase texted me
માં તા
“Practice tests, practice tests. That’s all you think about
“Am I not better looking? Do practice tests have abs like mine? ||
Attached was a photo of his dripping wet abs–his pale stomach displayed clearly defined muscles.||
Followed by three messages that were quickly deleted
Me: 7770
The next day after school, Chase comered me in a small alley
BAL
“Let’s talk after SAT ||
“About what?”
He cocked his head, leaning in to stare directly at me ||
Dating 1
So he really did like me.
1 pressed my lips together.||
-ND–1
“Why not?”
“You only scored three points on your essay.”
He scratched his head, looking genuinely dejected:
have to do with anything?“]
“What does that have to
The tall boy with his perfect jawline looked down at me
1 smirked
“If you score at least average on tomorrow’s practice essay, then maybe.
Chase gritted his teeth
Tine–1
My phone started vibrating in my pocket |
I took it out accidentally answering it
Ithan’s voice came through the speaker:||
ly
“Pack your things. You’re coming back to West High tomorrow.
His tone was condescending, as if I should gratefully rush back at his command
I was completely confused
Just as I was about to hang
gup, someone spoke near my hearing and
“Babe, you need to close your eyes when we kiss.
“And don’t answer calls from random guys. ”
On the other end, Ethan’s voice filled with anger:
“who is that?”
“Lily, come back before I change my mind.
looked up at Chase’s rebellious face, offering no explanation:
“No. I’m doing fine.”
Tihan laughed bitterly)
“y, now isn’t the time to be stubborn.“]]
“Do you really plan to stay at that place until SATT
“Wasn’t your dream to get into an Ivy League school?”
So he knew my dream was to attend Harvard or Yale.]
He knew Lincoln High’s educational resources were poor.
But why should I care? He made me transfer away in humiliation [
And now, with SAT approaching, he wanted me hack.]]
I simply hung up the phone and locked his number
When than tried talling back, he found that he had been blocked by Lily
For over three months, he hadn’t seen her.|||
When he forgot breakfast, no one prepared it for him–he constantly felt something was aff.
in when he was with Vanessa, he’d often look back.[]
But he could no longer see the figure that had always followed behind him.
He figured he was just unaccustomed to suddenly separating from someone he’d grown up with, so he didn’t think too deeply about it.
But every night when he returned home, he’d stand beneath Lily’s window, only feeling at ease after seeing her light burn on
She was just being stubborn.
Lincoln Highs schedule started later than West Highs, in three months, he hadn’t once run into Lay
But recalling the male voice he’d just heard he felt uneasy
Then he thought, Lily loves me.
That’s why when he confessed to her, she’d blushed and nodded yes.
They’d grown up together. He knew Lily–modest and conservative. How could she possibly date someone at a place like Lincoln High, let alone kiss someone?]
She must have put someone up to saying that to make him jealous.
Thinking this, he felt slightly relieved]
But he still walked to Lily’s house, only feeling reassured after seeing movement behind the curtains
After the practice test ended, Chase cornered me in the equipment coom
“Average score,” he announced
Thad
seen it
“Only after SAT,” 1 insisted.||
“No dating before then.“]
comer
SAT was right around the comm
He nodded in agreement
For the next stretch of time, we studied harder and louger
Chase stopped seeking me out.||
But every morning, a boule of milk appeared on my desk
Every evening, he followed at a distance as I walked home.
Finally, SAT arrived]
After returning home from the exam hall, I releulated my answers.
sce I felt confident about my performance, I slept for three straight days
Except for washing up and eating, 1 spent all my time sleeping
www
My parents were busy with the company and didn’t stop me. They just left me some money to manage on my own]
When I went downstairs to the supermarket, Chase was standing there.
Hearing footsteps, he looked at me
with t
burning eyes. []
What are y
are you doing here?–||
He stepped forward: Sunlight fell on him, making him especially radian
