Chapter 3
Later that afternoon, I was called in to see Professor Anderson.
It turned out Alex was spot on, and my application had been approved. I could hardly believe it.
Professor Anderson beamed at me and offered her congratulations.
After she explained what I needed to do, I dove right into getting all the paperwork together.
That night, I got a message on my relationship coach account from Ethan.
He sent over a few photos. [I set everything up just like you said. What do you think?]
I was busy sorting through my paperwork, glanced at the photos, and replied: [Looks great, but maybe swap the roses for yellow ones, those are her favorite.]
A few seconds after I sent it, it hit me, I'd just given myself away.
Sure enough, he texted back: [How do you know she likes yellow roses?]
I replied: [Just a lucky guess based on what you told me. I'm a pro, remember?]
That was a straight-up lie.
Because she was my best friend.
He bought it: [You're the best, Coach. I'll get right on it.]
About ten minutes later, he messaged again: [All set. She's almost here. I'm freaking out.]
I asked, trying to sound casual: [Is she your first love?]
He replied: [Yeah, no other girl ever made my heart race like this. Back then, I even switched my college plans without telling anyone, just so I could end up at the same school as her.]
My heart clenched.
No wonder I always wondered, his scores were just a few points off from mine, so how did he not get into Brookfield University? Now it all makes sense.
So that was why he had changed his application at the last minute.
I let out a cold laugh and typed: [Man, you're such a romantic. Is she the girl you've known the longest?]
He replied: [Nah, there's someone else I've known since we were kids.]
My fingers trembled as I typed: [Childhood friend, huh So, how do you feel about her?]
He replied: [We're just friends. I never thought about her that way.]
Never thought about me that way.
Me: [Does she know about this?]
He: [Not yet. I'm planning to tell her after we get together. Honestly, I'm a little worried.]
Me: [Worried about what? Are you afraid she won't take it well?]
He: [Not really. It's just that the girl I like is her best friend, and I'm worried she might get upset with her or stop being so nice to her after this.]
My heart sank.
So that was how he saw me.
Suddenly, I remembered that night after our high school graduation, when we all got wasted at the party.
As I helped him into the car, he suddenly kissed me and hugged me tight, telling me I meant the world to him.
My heart was racing. I almost confessed right then and there.
But I stopped myself.
I wanted to confess when he was actually sober.
He had no memory of it the next day.
When I brought it up, he swore up and down it never happened.
I just chalked it up to drunk nonsense and never mentioned it again.
Looking back, I guessed he probably mistook me for Lily that night.
Lily and I were pretty much the same size.
I didn't text him back. Just sat there staring at my screen, not saying a word for ages.
Then I went through my phone and wiped out anything that had to do with him.
*****
Early the next morning, I dropped off all my paperwork.
Professor Anderson kept me around for a little chat.
While we were talking, Alex showed up.
Noticing he was turning in the same forms as me, I asked, "Hey, are you joining the exchange program too?"
He nodded. "Yeah, an extra spot opened up, so I got in."
I was a bit surprised, and, weirdly enough, kind of happy about it.
As soon as I stepped out of the office, my phone buzzed with a message from Ethan.