Chapter 2

It was already evening when I got home.

The three of them were sitting in the living room, eating ice cream and watching a movie.

Sasha looked up and saw me walk in.

She smirked victoriously at the other two.

"I told you Chloe would make it home before seven."

"You guys lost. You have to let me plan our entire trip next month."

"Besides, since your term papers are basically done, it's fine if we head back to campus a few days late."

Julian clicked his tongue.

"Chloe, did you team up with Sasha to play us?"

"Last time at the mall, it took you four hours to get back."

"This time, it didn't even take you two."

Julian was my foster brother. My dad took him in when we were kids.

His parents had a nasty divorce when he was in second grade, and neither of them wanted him.

Growing up, my biggest wish was for my parents to give me an older brother.

So, after making sure his mother really had abandoned him, I begged my parents to let him stay.

At first, my dad didn't agree. He tried to reason with me.

"Chloe, he's a human being, not a stray puppy. We can't just take him in."

But Julian swore right in front of them that he would be the best brother to me.

Seeing that the poor kid didn't even have a warm meal to eat, my dad finally relented and took him in.

And now, he had become Sasha's "brother."

"Exactly. Be honest, Chloe. Did Sasha leave you hints?"

The speaker was Ethan, my next-door neighbor.

We grew up together.

When we were kids, our parents used to joke that we were destined to marry each other. Ethan took it to heart.

Knowing I had no sense of direction, he would wait for me every day after school to walk home together.

Before Sasha showed up, from first grade to junior year of high school, we walked hand-in-hand for ten years.

He had even promised me, "As long as I'm here, you'll always find your way home."

But lately, he was the one who abandoned me the most.

"I knew you two would make excuses for losing," Sasha said, tossing my phone onto the coffee table.

"That's why I took Chloe's phone in advance. Now you have to admit defeat."

The smile on Julian's face stiffened.

"Why didn't you tell us you were going to do that?"

Ethan's expression darkened too.

"What if something happened to Chloe? We wouldn't even have been able to reach her."

Sasha looked confused and annoyed.

"What is wrong with you two?"

"Didn't we agree to train Chloe together? You're betraying the team."

Julian paused before speaking up.

"Well, Chloe's home safe, so let's drop it."

"But don't take her phone again next time."

Ethan remained quiet for a moment, then walked over to me.

He grabbed my hands, checking me over to make sure I was okay. Only then did he let out a sigh of relief.

"Sasha meant well. Don't be mad at her."

"Julian left some watermelon in the fridge for you. I'll go get it."

"No, thanks."

I grabbed my phone from the table and headed straight for my bedroom.

"I'm tired. I want to rest."

Sasha froze, turning to Julian.

"Is Chloe mad at me?"

She looked a bit embarrassed and stood up to leave.

"Maybe I should go. She probably doesn't want to see me right now."

Ethan followed her.

"It's late. It's not safe for you to walk home alone. I'll drive you."

"I can drive her too," Julian chipped in, not wanting to be left out. He quickly grabbed his shoes.

Ethan pushed him back inside.

"Come on, Sasha's place is on my way. You live here, so there's no need for you to go."

Julian glared at him. "Stop making excuses. You live next door. How is that on your way?"

How ridiculous.

Both of my childhood protectors were fighting over who got to drive her home.

Yet, neither of them had asked me...

How a girl with no phone and a horrible sense of direction had managed to find her way back on her own.