Chapter 4

When admissions season was over, Asher suggested we all go to New York before school started to see the campuses and lock in the three-bedroom.

I’d already decided on London, but before I said goodbye for good, I agreed.

That school in New York had been the goal I’d killed myself for three years trying to reach. I wanted to see it with my own eyes, one last time, before I left.

On the day we were supposed to fly out, I got to the airport right on time—and there was no sign of Asher or Chloe.

I checked my phone and found a message Asher had sent half an hour earlier:

Winnie, Chloe got a really bad migraine out of nowhere, so I took her on the earlier flight. I booked you on the next one. I’ll pick you up when you land.

I called him right away.

He picked up fast.

“What’s up? Shouldn’t you be on the plane by now?”

“You’re already there?”

“Yeah. Chloe looked really bad. I was worried about her.”

He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world. “I rebooked your ticket, didn’t I? You’re a grown woman. You can handle a flight on your own.”

On his end, I heard Chloe’s frail little voice. “Asher, I’m so cold.”

He answered her at once, then said to me in a rush, “I gotta go, she’s not feeling good again. Call me when you land.”

He hung up.

I stood in the middle of the crowded terminal, cold all over.

I didn’t want to go to New York anymore.

That school, and the future Asher had promised me—Chloe had crammed herself into all of it.

I turned around and walked out of the airport without a second’s hesitation.

That night, Asher FaceTimed me.

“Why aren’t you here yet?”

“I wasn’t feeling well. I didn’t go.”

My voice was calm.

He frowned. “Is this because I didn’t wait for you? Are you sulking again? Chloe nearly passed out. I couldn’t just leave her alone at the airport.”

Before I could answer, Chloe leaned into the frame, wearing his jacket.

“Winnie, it’s such a shame you didn’t come. Asher already showed me the campus.”

Her eyes curved into a smile.

“New York’s so amazing. I don’t even want to go home.”

That jacket was the present I’d given Asher for his eighteenth birthday.

And now it was just thrown over Chloe’s shoulders.

Chloe tugged at his sleeve. “Asher, the hotel bed’s so hard, I can’t sleep.”

Asher looked at her, exasperated. “You need me for that too?”

“But I’m scared.” She hugged his arm and swayed it gently.

He could only say to me, hurriedly, “Get some sleep. I’m gonna go check on her room.”

The call ended.

I looked at the dark screen and couldn’t even feel sad.

I’d been so lonely for so many years that I’d poured every feeling I had into Asher alone.

I’d thought he was the one who’d save me. Now he’d betrayed me too.

In that case, I might as well let go of all of it.

I messaged Professor Evans: Professor, would it be possible for me to come to London early?

He replied quickly: As it happens, a group of exchange students is heading over early. Are you sure you want to leave sooner? Most students want to stay home as long as they can.

I’d like to get there early and settle in.

All right.

A few days later, I dragged my luggage to the airport alone.

My parents were still busy getting Chloe ready for New York. They didn’t have time for me.

When boarding was announced, I turned off my phone and got in line.

Just as I was about to hand over my boarding pass, my phone buzzed.

A message from Asher:

Why did you buy a ticket to LONDON?!