Chapter 4

Lily looked at him. "The day after tomorrow is your send-off party. Go dye your hair back to normal. Your dad's superiors will all be there. You made him proud as the top student, and he's about to get promoted. Don't embarrass him.

"Mess around if you want, but this is serious."

Emily wrapped herself around Michael, whining, "Don't you dare change it! You said this color represents our love!"

She was practically draped all over him, and Lily couldn't stand the sight—she was so fed up she wanted to march over and slap her.

But then she reassured herself that her son had always been surrounded by well-behaved, studious girls like me, and he just wanted to try something different, have a little fun.

It wasn't like they were actually getting married. Guys should date around before settling down—it was better for whoever became his wife.

Michael grabbed Emily's restless hand, giving her a resigned but affectionate smile. "I'll dye it back after the send-off party, okay? This is huge for my dad's promotion—he's been waiting ten years for this. If he gets it, our family's future is set."

Emily pouted. "Fine, but you owe me big time. Tonight, you're taking me to the gaming café for some serious matches."

Michael tapped her nose fondly. "Okay."

Lily gritted her teeth, deciding she'd just see Emily as nothing more than a fling, and Michael would marry someone way better eventually.

My parents didn't ask about Michael. When we got home, the three of us opened the letter together—my acceptance to Vanderly University.

They handed out local specialties to the neighbors and mentioned we weren't throwing a send-off party.

They also told everyone I'd chosen Vanderly University and had already gotten my acceptance letter.

When they got home, I was on the phone with my classmate—my old desk buddy. She'd aced her exams, too, but she picked a different top university.

Both schools were in the capital, so we agreed to check in on the same day.

After hanging up, I noticed my parents staring at me.

"What?" I asked, plopping between them and munching the watermelon Dad had cut, completely unbothered.

"You and Michael..." They hesitated, knowing how hard I used to fall for him.

"We're just neighbors," I said, stabbing my fork back into the watermelon. "From now on, our families have nothing to do with each other."

"Fair enough." Dad patted my shoulder gently. "The world's huge—go as far as you want."

Mom draped her arm around me. "That's right. We've always got your back."

I leaned into her, eyes gleaming. "Why don't we head to the capital early? We can explore and skip all the social stuff and gifts back home."

"Love it!" Dad clapped his hands. "I've always wanted to see the campus of my dreams!"

Mom lit up. "I've wanted to visit Vanderly since I was a kid."

As teachers, they'd always dreamed of seeing a top university up close.

Just then, someone knocked on our door.

Dad went to open it. "Who is it?"

"Mr. Newton, it's me," Michael called out.

Dad remembered Michael was heading to Vanderly too, so he couldn't just blow him off. He opened the door with a polite smile but didn't invite him in. "What's up, Michael?"

Michael looked past him at me in the living room. "School starts soon. I wanted to ask when Olivia's leaving—maybe we can travel together?"

I just stabbed at a piece of watermelon, ignoring him. No way was I going anywhere with him.

Dad smiled, "We'll be taking her."

Translation: you're not needed.

Michael nodded and looked at me. "Olivia, can you come out for a minute? I need to talk to you."

Old me would've sprinted to him like an eager puppy. Not anymore.

"I'm busy. Dad, close the door—you're letting bugs in."

I was halfway to my room before I even finished talking.

"Olivia, let's talk!" Michael sounded desperate now that he realized I genuinely wasn't going to give him the time of day.

The only response was my door slamming shut.

Michael clenched his fists, convinced I was burning with jealousy over him and Emily.

He was sure I was obsessed with him—that was why I was giving him the cold shoulder.

Just then, Emily stormed over, looking furious.

"Michael! What are you doing out here? Weren't you just going out for a smoke?"

Dad's warmth evaporated. "Michael, you should head home. We just got back from a long trip, and we're beat."

He closed the door, turned to Mom, and sighed, "Michael must be out of his mind, dating a girl like her."

Mom just looked at him. "Not our business."

Dad nodded. "You're right."