Chapter 4

The day the acceptance letter arrived, the Collins family threw a party to celebrate Andrew's admission.

Andrew's mother, Fiona Collins, called Grandma early in the morning, saying the two families had been close for years and insisted I come over for dinner.

Grandma didn't want to go. I said, "Let's go. We'll eat and leave."

She gave me a look. "Aren't you worried Andrew will give you a hard time again?"

I put the acceptance letter in my bag. "He can throw whatever tantrum he wants. I'm only going for the food."

*****

The Collins family's party was held at the most upscale restaurant in town.

As I helped Grandma inside, Melissa was standing next to Andrew, entertaining the relatives.

Someone joked, "She's so pretty. Standing next to Andrew, they look like a couple."

Fiona forced a smile. "Oh, they're still children. Don't tease them."

Melissa blushed and lowered her head. Andrew didn't say a word.

In my previous life, I would've spent the whole night feeling miserable in the corner, and even had to take the heat for Melissa when the grown-ups started grilling her.

But now, I picked a spot close to the door and settled Grandma in.

When Fiona saw me, she hurried over. "Charlotte, you're here. Why didn't you talk to me before choosing your college? Why did you choose a school so far from home?"

I replied, "It's a good fit for me."

Fiona sighed. "It's hard for a girl to be so far away from home. The local university is great too, and you and Andrew could take care of each other."

Andrew walked over with a glass in hand, his tone flat. "Mom, she's a free spirit now. Who knows who would be taking care of whom?"

Melissa followed behind him, holding a gift box. "Charlotte, this is a present to celebrate your admission. I know you might still be upset with me, but I really hope everything goes smoothly for you."

She opened the box, revealing a light pink scarf inside.

It was August, and she was giving me a scarf.

Some of the relatives glanced over, and one of them said, "What a thoughtful girl."

I didn't take it. Melissa's hand hung awkwardly in midair, her embarrassment growing with every second.

Andrew frowned. "Take it, Charlotte."

I asked, "Why?"

"She's trying to be nice."

"Then you keep it for me and wear it this winter."

Someone at the table nearly spat out their drink from laughing.

Melissa pulled the box back, her voice so soft it was barely audible. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize you wouldn't like it."

I said, "You did."

She looked up at me. I picked up my cup. "You know I've never worn pink since I was a kid, and you know I'm allergic to wool.

"Back in sophomore year, you gave me wool gloves, and I broke out in a rash on my hands for three days."

Fiona's face changed. "Melissa, is that true?"

Melissa quickly said, "Mrs. Collins, I don't remember. Maybe I was just careless."

Andrew jumped in right away. "That was so long ago. Do you really have to bring up old stuff?"

"I think it's worth talking about," I said, looking at him. "She offered a gift, and I declined. That should have been the end of it. But since you insisted on making a scene, I thought we should all be clear on the facts."

Grandma put down her fork. "If Lottie doesn't want to wear it, then she doesn't have to. Who forces someone to take a gift?"

Fiona hurried to change the subject. "Of course, let's eat."

During the meal, Andrew's father, Benson Collins, raised his glass and announced that Andrew had gotten into the local architecture school, and Melissa had been accepted into the Academy of Fine Arts. He said they were both good kids.

When it was my turn, he paused. "Charlotte did well too. She's going to a school out of state, right? What was that major again? Restoration?"

One of the relatives chimed in, "Restoration? How much money can you make doing that?"

Melissa said softly, "Charlotte likes quiet things. That major suits her."

Andrew smirked. "She's always been into old stuff."

There was a mocking edge to his laugh.

I stayed quiet, keeping helping Grandma with her food.

Fiona suddenly said, "Charlotte, Andrew's dorm is close to home. When you come back for breaks, you should drop by more often. Don't let a little misunderstanding come between you."

I nodded. "We'll see."

Andrew slammed his glass down. "Mom, she's too busy flying the coop to bother with us."

Melissa whispered, "Andrew, that's enough."

I finished my last bite and helped Grandma to her feet. "Mr. and Mrs. Collins, we're leaving now."

Fiona hurried after us. "Charlotte, don't take it to heart. Andrew has a sharp tongue, but he doesn't mean anything by it."

I glanced back into the private room.

Andrew was bent over, peeling shrimp for Melissa, his hands moving like he'd done it a million times before.

In my previous life, I loved shrimp too, but Andrew never bothered peeling them for me. It was always too much hassle for him.

I said, "Mrs. Collins, for someone with such a sharp tongue, his hands sure are gentle."

Fiona followed my gaze and saw them, her smile freezing on her face.

Grandma pulled me away.

As we reached the elevator, Melissa rushed out and shoved the gift box into my arms. "Charlotte, don't get the wrong idea about Andrew and me."

I set the box down on the trash can. "Melissa, you don't have to keep chasing after me and acting. There's nobody here to see it."

She dropped the act fast. "You're really leaving?"

"Yeah."

"Well, it's better if you go," she muttered, lowering her voice. "Andrew never liked you anyway. Stop using your family connections to keep him around."

I pressed the elevator button. "If you want to know who he likes, ask him. Don't ask me."

The elevator doors opened. Melissa was standing outside, suddenly smiling. "Charlotte, you think leaving means you've won? Sooner or later, Andrew will realize I'm the one who really gets him."

I helped Grandma into the elevator.

Before the doors closed, I said, "Hope you two keep understanding each other for the rest of your lives."

Inside the elevator, Grandma patted my hand. "Lottie, have you really let it go?"

I looked at my reflection in the elevator wall. "I'm learning to."

My phone buzzed in my bag.

There was a note with that old letter, bearing an address and a single line: [Come to this address before September. What your mother left behind can no longer wait.]