Chapter 4

The table erupted in teasing laughter.

I sat there, completely flustered, twisting my fingers together under the table.

Luke's expression darkened. He stayed silent for a long moment before finally answering.

"Don't make stuff up. Our families are close, and our parents asked me to look out for her."

He said it so casually.

But the words hit me like a block of ice.

All those feelings I'd secretly held onto, all those little hopes I'd never dared to say out loud...

They'd been one-sided from the start.

I couldn't sit there another minute. I got up and headed to the restroom.

It took me a while to pull myself together. But when I finally stepped back into the hallway, I heard voices coming from the men's restroom across from mine.

"Luke, how long are you going to keep following Wren around like this? How are you ever supposed to get a girlfriend?"

"That girl who reads the morning announcements used to be into you. But ever since she saw you hanging around Wren all the time, she's been giving you the cold shoulder."

"You should keep some distance. You don't have to jump in and protect Wren every time. You're only making things harder for yourself."

I couldn't make out what Luke said after that.

But I'd heard enough.

I wasn't just a burden to him.

I was also getting in the way of his chances with the girl he liked.

How pathetic was that?

I waited outside the private dining room, intending to tell Luke I was leaving.

But the moment he heard me, his expression changed.

"Wren, can you stop ruining everything?"

His voice was full of irritation.

"If you leave now, I have to take you home and then come all the way back here. Do you have any idea how exhausting that is?"

"Can't you just leave me alone for once? Let me breathe!"

His last words left me frozen.

Every bit of self-respect I had left seemed to crumble.

So that was what he'd really meant on yearbook photo day.

He'd meant every word.

I swallowed the tears threatening to spill and gave a small nod.

"Okay. I understand."

Then I looked at him and said quietly, "Luke, you don't have to drive me anywhere anymore. Not from now on."

Thankfully, the streets in that area were still well-lit. There were rideshares waiting right outside the restaurant, too.

At least I could leave on my own.

At least I could walk away with what little dignity I had left.

When our college entrance exam results came out, both Luke and I had done well. Our parents decided to celebrate together over dinner.

Before long, the conversation turned to college applications.

Diane put another piece of chicken on my plate.

"Wren, have you decided where you're applying yet? I thought you and Luke were planning to go to Ashford together."

She smiled at me. "It'd be nice if you ended up at the same school. Luke could keep an eye on you."

Then she turned to her son. "Right, Luke?"

Luke's chopsticks paused.

He kept his head down and answered quietly. "I... haven't decided yet."

Diane let out a sigh, clearly about to say something, but my mom quickly stepped in.

"There's no need to rush them. They're old enough to make their own decisions. It's good to take some time to think things through."

She smoothly changed the subject, and the tension at the table gradually faded.

On the way home, my mom suddenly asked, "Did something happen between you and Luke?"

There was no point pretending nothing was wrong. My change in attitude hadn't escaped her.

"I just think I need to learn to be more independent," I said. "Luke can't be responsible for me forever."

Mom reached over and gently stroked my hair.

"I will always be here for you. You don't have to worry about that."

Then she suggested, "How about we take a family trip after you finish your college applications?"

After submitting my applications, I spent the rest of the summer traveling with my family. I didn't come home until just before the new semester started.

I packed up my things in a hurry and headed to the next city for college.

A few days before classes began, Luke showed up at my house.

"Mrs. Hollis, is Wren home? I wanted to talk to her about when we should leave."

Mom looked at him in surprise.

"Didn't she tell you? Her school starts earlier than yours. She's already moved in."

Luke froze.

Ashford's move-in date hadn't even arrived yet.

"Where did she go?"

Mom answered without hesitation. "Carver State."

For the first time, Luke looked genuinely shaken.