Chapter 6
Ms. Taylor had written a big red "Good" underneath.
Beside it, she left a little reminder. [Don't forget the places you want to go.]
In my previous life, I forgot.
But this time, I won't.
*****
At seven o'clock, Alex showed up.
He brought a box of my favorite strawberry cake.
Mom took it with a smile. "You really know what Sophie likes, Alex.
"I don't know what's gotten into her today. She came home and out of the blue said she doesn't want to get engaged to you."
Alex stopped while changing his shoes.
He looked up at me. "Did she really say that?"
Mom waved her hand dismissively. "She's throwing a tantrum.
"Go cheer her up.
"Mia's family doesn't have much, and it's okay to help your classmates, but you really need to watch your boundaries.
"Sophie's always been sensitive. She won't say anything, but I bet she's hurting inside."
Alex looked at me for a few seconds. "Got it."
He followed me into my room.
I was sitting at my computer, sorting through my interview notes.
Alex closed the door behind him. "Did you really tell your mom you don't want to get engaged?"
"Yeah," I said.
"Is it because of the graduation photo?"
"No."
"Is it because I went to the city with Mia?"
"No."
Alex pulled out a chair and sat down. "So what is it, then?"
I paused, hands hovering over the keyboard. "I don't like you anymore."
Once the words were out, I felt way calmer than I expected.
Alex let out a dismissive laugh.
It was like he thought I was saying something silly.
"Sophie, how many years have we known each other?" he asked.
"Seventeen," I replied.
"And how many years have you liked me?" he asked.
I didn't answer.
He answered for me. "You've liked me since grade school.
"Every time you get mad, you say you won't talk to me anymore, but has it ever lasted more than three days?"
Alex nudged the cake toward me. "Stop acting up.
"I'll watch myself around Mia.
"Once we're in college and at different schools, I won't be seeing her nearly as much."
In my previous life, I clung to those words to survive the summer.
I thought that once we got to college, they'd finally drift apart.
But in the end, Mia went to Eastbrook too.
Alex helped her find an apartment, got her a part-time job, and handled every issue for her.
Later, she dropped out, got married, and ended up divorced.
No matter how far he went, whenever Mia needed him, Alex would always go back to her.
"We were never going to be at the same college anyway," I said.
Alex didn't pick up on what I was really saying.
"So you don't have to worry," he said.
"I mean, you and me," I said.
His smile faded a little. "You didn't apply to Eastbrook?"
I closed my laptop. "I haven't even been accepted yet, so what's the point in talking about it?"
Alex stared at me. "Didn't you already fill out your applications?
"Did you change your choices?"
I didn't answer.
He reached for the mouse.
I got there first and kept my hand on it. "This is my computer."
Alex froze for a moment.
His expression soured.
But with Mom downstairs, he didn't push it.
"Sophie, are you really going to mess with your own future to get back at me? Does that even make sense?" he asked.
"How do you know I wasn't sacrificing my future to stay with you?" I shot back.
He said, "Eastbrook might not be as good as Riverdale College of Education, but the major's pretty good too.
"And it's close to home.
"Grandma Foster's not in the best health. Are you really going to leave her all alone and move so far away?"
He always knew exactly what to say to keep me around.
If love wasn't enough, he'd bring up Grandma Foster.
If Grandma Foster wasn't enough, he'd use the connection between our families as another excuse.
Every time I tried to leave in my previous life, those words would always pull me back.
I admitted, "I can't bear to leave.
"But I still have to go."
Alex was stunned.
I opened the door. "I need to get ready for my interview.
"Take the cake with you.
"I don't want it."
He stayed where he was, not moving.
Mom called from downstairs, "Dinner's ready."
Alex stayed silent for a long moment before finally getting up.
As he reached the door, he turned back to look at me. "You're being emotional right now.
"We'll talk about your college plans tomorrow."
It was as if my choices were some whim that needed his sign-off.
I kept quiet. By the time he came back tomorrow, the system would be locked. He wouldn't have a chance to interfere with my college plans anymore.