Chapter 2

That night, lying in bed, I kept thinking about what Luke's friends had said.

It was Piper's birthday that day. Luke's was the day after tomorrow.

So it wasn't just their perfume that smelled alike.

Their birthdays were barely two days apart, too.

The next day, I went over to Luke's house.

Luke's mom, Diane, opened the door as soon as I rang the bell.

"Wren! Come on in!"

Luke called out from his bedroom, but he didn't bother coming to the door.

"I swear, I don't understand your school," Diane said. "Senior year is almost over, and they're still giving you kids days off. How are you supposed to stay focused?"

She headed for the kitchen and opened the fridge to get some fruit.

"Luke's been gaming all morning, hasn't he?"

Then she turned to me with a smile.

"Go hang out with him, Wren. If there's anything you want for dinner, just tell me. I'll make it tonight."

After Diane left to go grocery shopping, I walked into Luke's room.

He was wearing his headset, completely absorbed in a game.

When he noticed me, he gave me a brief nod before turning back to his screen.

I sat behind him and watched.

I couldn't follow the game. I didn't understand the things he was saying to his teammates, either.

They talked so quickly, throwing around words I barely recognized.

By the time the match ended, Luke finally turned around.

"What are you doing out in this sun? It's blazing outside."

I held out the gift box I'd brought.

"I know it's a day early, but... happy birthday."

"Thanks."

He took it and set it aside without even opening it.

Right then, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and answered.

"Luke, get back in the game!"

A guy's voice came through the speaker.

"I can't carry Piper and the other girl by myself!"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming."

Luke put his headset back on. Then, as if he'd just remembered I was still there, he glanced over his shoulder.

"Help yourself to something to eat."

His attention was already back on the screen.

I sat quietly behind him, watching him laugh and joke with his teammates.

He sounded so different with them. So relaxed. So happy.

For the first time, I realized just how different our worlds had become.

"I'm heading home."

I wasn't sure he'd heard me. But just as I reached the door, he called after me.

"You're still planning on going to Ashford, right?"

Ashford was his dream school. We'd talked about going there together for years.

I nodded, then asked, "What about you?"

"Okay. Got it."

I wanted to ask what he meant by that, but he'd already turned back to his game.

My eyes drifted to the gift I'd brought.

It was sitting on a bookshelf, pushed into a corner like it was in the way.

I'd saved up for months to buy him that mechanical keyboard. I'd even had two custom keycaps made with his initials.

He'd talked about wanting one for ages.

Now it sat unopened and forgotten.

Just like I felt.

As I slipped on my shoes by the front door, I heard Luke speaking again. Someone on his team must have asked him about college.

"Ashford? I don't know. I don't really like that city. It's way too dry."

He paused, then added, "I'll figure it out after the decisions come in."

My hand tightened around the doorknob.

Why had he asked if I was still going there, then?

Was he just checking whether I'd follow him? Was he looking for another way to get rid of me?

Before I could think any further, the door opened from the other side.

Diane came in carrying grocery bags.

"Wren? You're leaving already? Why don't you stay for dinner?"

I forced a smile. "No, thanks. I should head home and get some more studying done."

She didn't press me. Instead, she turned toward Luke's room and raised her voice.

"Luke! Are you still gaming? At least come out and say goodbye to Wren!"

I stepped into the hallway and made my way downstairs.

The sunlight outside felt warm against my skin, but I felt strangely empty.

All those years, I'd thought we'd end up at Ashford together.

But Luke clearly didn't care about that promise anymore.

So why should I keep it?

The night before our first major exam, I got a text from him.

[I'll come pick you up tomorrow.]

I stared at the message for a long time.

Then I typed my reply.

[No need. My family is taking me.]