Worried that the girl he sponsored couldn't afford a train ticket, my childhood sweetheart changed his college application from Southern University to a local college in our city. When I found out, there were only two hours left before the deadline. My best friend, cautious and hopeful: "Chloe, there's still time." "You can change it now, it's not too late." I looked at the photo of Liam Carter on my screen and shook my head bitterly: "I won't change it. Let it be." 1 At 5 PM, the college application deadline officially passed. Only then did my best friend believe that I was truly set on going to Southern U. She excitedly started planning my college life. Just then, the sound of the digital lock unlocking came from outside. Liam Carter walked in with Sarah Miller in tow: "Chloe, did you finish your application?" "I told her already. With our grades, the only local colleges we can apply to are those few. But Sarah was still worried and insisted on coming over to ask." "She cares about you more than I do." As he spoke, he looked at the girl beside him with a helpless yet indulgent expression. After deciding not to go to the same college as Liam, my mindset seemed to have shifted. Seeing him intimate with Sarah no longer made my heart ache. I nodded calmly: "I've filled out my application. Do you guys need something?" Liam, seeing my cold expression, looked a bit displeased: "Chloe, what's with the attitude?" Sarah glanced at him, lowered her head in embarrassment, and spoke timidly: "Chloe, my family is poor." "Southern U is too far from us. Just the train tickets for winter and summer breaks would cost a lot of money." "My SAT scores were just average. Rather than going out of state, it's better to stay local." "It's all because of me that Liam decided to change his school at the last minute." "We were just picking a major for me, so we didn't make it here in time. We only called you." "Please don't be mad at him." Listening to Sarah's words, which sounded like an explanation but were actually showing off, I said indifferently: "Didn't you know all of this long ago?" "Why didn't you say anything when we first started applying? Why wait until now?" Sarah looked startled and hurriedly explained: "It's not like that." "I discussed this with Liam a long time ago. We just finalized it now." Discussed a long time ago? I lowered my eyes. Turns out, while I was full of anticipation about going to Southern U with Liam... He was planning his future with Sarah. Seeing I didn't respond, Sarah's voice grew quieter, eventually ending in a sob. As if she had been wronged terribly. Liam spoke up, dissatisfied: "Alright, Chloe." "Didn't I tell you when I changed my application?" "Why won't you let it go?" His cold tone woke me up instantly. I looked at the handsome boy's face and avoided his gaze: "I'm not mad. I was just curious why you suddenly changed your application." Now that it's clear, I can finally let go completely. 2 Liam and I were childhood sweethearts. After my dad passed away, my mom went south for business, leaving just me and my grandma at home year-round. Some mean classmates knew about my situation and would bully me. Stealing my pencils during exams, letting the air out of my bike tires after school. I didn't want to worry my grandma, so I could only wipe my tears secretly. That's when Liam appeared. He beat up the bullies fiercely and took me to a shop to fix my bike. From then on, I became his little follower. Going to school together, leaving school together, walking through the seasons of our youth together. We agreed to apply to Southern U together, and once we got in, we would officially start dating. Until a year ago, when Sarah appeared. She was a student from a poor family sponsored by Liam's mom. Because the education quality in her hometown was poor, she transferred to the city for her senior year and stayed at the Carter's house. At first, Liam was a bit resistant to her. Whether at home or school, he rarely spoke to her. But Sarah carefully tried to please him. Afraid of upsetting him. Sometimes when I saw her, it was like seeing myself back then, bullied and helpless. When Liam ignored her, I would talk to her. I even advised Liam to be nicer to her. But he remained unmoved. Until one day after school, we found Sarah hiding alone in a classroom. Solving problems while crying silently. Liam's expression at that moment was complex—moved, guilty, unbearable. Thinking back now, there was also a hint of imperceptible heartache. After that, his attitude softened. He would let me go home alone so he could tutor Sarah. He would switch seats to be next to Sarah because she didn't get along with her deskmate. This afternoon, he called to say he was giving up Southern U to stay local with Sarah. I felt sad and disappointed. But mostly, I felt a sense of relief. Like something had finally settled. 3 Liam was certain I would follow him and change my application back to a local school. He didn't even ask me where I applied. Just left with Sarah. When my best friend, Ruby, and I arrived at the restaurant for the class reunion, they were already there. I looked around and picked a seat furthest from Liam. I didn't notice the confusion in his eyes when he looked at me. A guy close to Liam joked: "Chloe, why sit so far away?" "If you don't make a move, Liam might really get snatched away." As for who would snatch him, everyone present knew. Sarah wasn't angry; instead, a blush crept up her face, and she glanced shyly at Liam. The class president sensed the awkward atmosphere and tried to smooth things over: "What nonsense. Liam and Chloe are so close." "They agreed to go to Southern U together." "Right, Chloe?" Before I could speak, Sarah answered first: "Liam didn't apply to Southern U." "He was afraid I couldn't afford the living expenses there, so he applied to a local school with me." Her face was full of triumph, as if declaring victory. The table went quiet. Someone couldn't help but ask me: "Chloe, is this true?" "Aren't you mad?" I looked at the smug Sarah and answered nonchalantly: "What's there to be mad about?" "Everyone has their own choice." Just like Liam chose Sarah. And I chose Southern U. 4 Halfway through the meal, I went to the restroom. When I came back, I found Liam and Sarah had somehow switched to the seats next to mine. Liam's face was flushed; he must have had some alcohol. Seeing me, his eyes sparkled, and he leaned close to my ear: "Chloe, I know you're still mad about me changing my application." "But you know Sarah's family situation." "If she goes south for school, she can't even afford the train tickets for breaks." "Staying local makes it much easier for her to go home." "She's timid and has a soft personality." "You wouldn't have the heart to leave her here alone for college, right?" "Sarah said so." "If you want to go south, we can go on a trip together in a couple of days." "So don't be mad, okay?" I pushed Liam's head away as he leaned too close and took a sip of tea: "I said, I'm not mad." "Besides, didn't Sarah say she couldn't even afford living expenses for college? Where did she get the money for a trip?" Crash. The cup in Sarah's hand fell to the ground. She bit her lip and looked at me: "Chloe, I know your family is well off, so you've always looked down on me." "I borrowed the money for this trip from Liam, but I'll pay him back slowly." "Is it only rich people like you who can enjoy their youth?" "Do kids from poor families like us just have to accept our fate and work part-time everywhere?" Classmates whispered: "Chloe does seem to be targeting Sarah a bit." "Yeah, although Chloe has good grades, her temper is a bit bad. If I were Liam, I wouldn't choose her either." Sarah's eyes were filled with tears. Liam's gaze gradually turned cold: "Chloe, apologize to Sarah." Ruby stood up for me: "Isn't she the one who keeps saying her family is poor?" "Chloe just asked a casual question. Why should she apologize?" "Summer break is so long; she could totally work part-time to save money for a trip." "Now she's not doing work-study, nor going back home to help her parents." "Hanging out with you every day, borrowing money for a trip. If not her, who else to criticize?" Sarah cried even harder. Watching the scene in front of me, I suddenly felt bored. I pulled Ruby up to leave. Liam grabbed my wrist, unrelenting: "Chloe, apologize to Sarah." "Or else, don't even think about coming on the trip." My wrist hurt from his grip. I pried his fingers off one by one and sneered: "Liam Carter, go wherever you want with Sarah Miller, do whatever you want." "I have no interest in getting involved between you two." "Not the slightest interest." "Don't come looking for me again." With that, I left without looking back. Leaving Liam standing there with a dark expression. That night, Sarah posted on her social media. In the photo, her fingers were intertwined with Liam's. Caption: At the best age, meeting the best you. I glanced at it, but my heart didn't waver much. I continued packing my luggage, planning to spend the summer with my mom.
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