Chapter 4

The day before the graduation gala, Piers and I were assigned as co-hosts.

Before the gala started, Piers came backstage to find me.

"I need to talk to you."

I didn't look up. "There's nothing to talk about."

Piers grabbed my wrist and dragged me into the empty classroom next door.

"Piers, what are you doing!"

The lock clicked shut behind us.

I twisted the handle hard. The door didn't budge.

"I'll let you out when the gala's over."

"Chloe's wanted to stand on that stage since she was a kid. I promised her I'd help make it happen."

"You're the best at hosting anyway. Missing one chance won't hurt you."

Something in my chest went tight.

"To you, everything's a small thing!"

I slammed my palm against the door.

"The research placement was a small thing, going public was a small thing, me getting cursed at, getting water thrown on me, all a small thing too!"

He didn't answer.

Before he left, he only said, low:

"Stop making a scene."

The footsteps faded away.

I stood alone in the dark classroom, listening to the music start up outside.

A few minutes later Chloe's sweet, clear voice came over the speakers, followed by Piers's low, warm reply.

Applause rolled through the crowd.

I slid down against the door and sat there, and the tears came without warning.

I'd been waiting all this time.

Waiting for Piers to take my hand and walk me out in front of everyone.

Waiting for him to say, "This is my girlfriend, Joyce Swanson."

But what came instead was Chloe.

From start to finish, everyone knew they were closer than any couple.

After the gala ended, the lock finally turned.

Piers stood in the doorway with flowers in his hand. His eyes paused on my red, swollen eyes.

"Don't cry."

I stepped around him and headed out.

Piers caught my arm, like he had something to say, but his phone rang and cut him off.

The screen read: Chloe.

He barely hesitated before he let go of my hand.

"Hello?"

His expression changed at once.

"Don't cry, I'm coming right over."

After he hung up, he looked at me.

"She's not in a good place right now."

"I've already put in for leave. Your mom's birthday is in a few days. I'll go back with you, we'll celebrate her birthday together, and then we'll go public."

"Stop sulking, okay?"

My fingertips trembled.

I'd waited four whole years for those words. They came only after I'd stopped wanting anything at all.

And now that I heard them, they only struck me as ridiculous.

"You still think I went abroad on exchange just to sulk?"

Piers stared at me, a flicker of irritation surfacing in his eyes.

"What else?"

I said quietly:

"Forget it. My mom doesn't need you to celebrate her birthday anymore."

That finally set him off, his voice shooting up.

"You're the one who went abroad, you're the one who disappeared, you're the one who pushed me away! And now you're putting on this victim act for who?"

"Joyce Swanson, do you even have a heart?!"

The phone rang again.

This time he didn't even glance at me. He turned and walked away.

"Chloe, I'll be right there."

That easy, familiar name slid quietly into my heart.

But it didn't hurt anymore.

After my thesis defense, I packed my bags and decided to head out west.

Waiting at the gate, I opened the campus forum and uploaded the photos of Piers and me, one by one.

From seventeen to twenty-two.

From school uniforms to graduation gowns.

The title was just one line:

【About Piers and Me.】

Then I sent the security footage of Piers locking me in the classroom, along with the proof that he'd let the online harassment slide, to the department advisor.

Piers texted me:

【Where did you go? I'm outside your place.】

I pressed the phone dark and boarded the plane.