Severe weather approaching, heavy rainstorm. I was trapped in the classroom unable to go back, waiting for Lucas to pick me up. Half an hour later, I couldn't wait, walked down myself, but heard Lucas on the phone at the corner: "I know, I'll bring her back! It wasn't me who asked her dad to save me back then, I don't owe her anything!" "On what grounds does she guilt trip me!" My heart clenched tight. If I could, I would rather my dad didn't save him back then, so I wouldn't have to live under someone else's roof. That night, I submitted my application for Teach For America, completely staying away from Lucas. Chapter 1 An hour after I returned, Lucas's car finally stopped in the yard. He rushed upstairs angrily. "Riley, why didn't you wait for me tonight!" Lucas's voice came from outside the door. I put away my dad's photo, said lightly: "I waited for half an hour." Lucas stood at the door, a trace of impatience flashing across his face, "Rain caused traffic jam, couldn't you wait a bit longer!" "What's good about interning at that broken school, come to our family company later!" I didn't agree, "Got it." I don't want to tell him about the teaching program yet. "Too late, I'm resting, go back to your room if nothing else!" I got up pushing him out of the room. Lucas's face was ugly, grabbed the door frame, "Riley, High School Reunion day after tomorrow, let's go together!" High school reunion, thinking of that group of people, I felt a chill in my heart. Before I could speak, he wrote my name in his phone. "I signed you up." "I'm not going." For the first time, I refused, snatching his phone to delete my name. "Lucas, I won't go. Those are your bros, your friends, nothing to do with me!" "My life, doesn't need your guidance!" Hearing this, Lucas was stunned, then sneered, "Fine! I'm just meddling!" "No need!" I took a deep breath, "No need for you to manage me anymore, I am not your burden, nor your responsibility!" Responding to me was the loud bang of him slamming the door. Looking at Dad's photo on the desk, my heart was mixed with flavors. When I was six, Lucas fell into the water. Flash flood broke out, his family was camping by the river, too late to escape. Lucas was swept into the water. My dad happened to pass by, jumped down to save him without hesitation. Resulting in his own physical exhaustion, swept away by the flood. When found, he was already bloated beyond recognition. I lost my father since then. The Sterling family heard I became an orphan, so they adopted me. Lucas took care of me everywhere. We grew up together inseparable. Even his bros said I was his little wife! Now he says I guilt trip him. If I could, I would rather he died in that flood. That way, I wouldn't have to fall asleep looking at Dad's photo every night. As for the reunion he mentioned, I saw it in the group chat long ago. That group of people, rumored back in school that my dad knew his family was poor, exchanged his death for my chance to cling to the Sterling family. At that time I rushed up and beat one of them till head bleeding, crying heart-tearingly, preferring punishment over apologizing. It was Lucas who got surveillance to restore truth. Finally the rumor monger apologized to me, but I didn't want to forgive. Because he was Lucas's good bro. When they said these words, Lucas agreed in his heart too, right! I quit the group chat, checked application materials again and again, clicked send. Soon Senior Sarah called me. "Riley you agreed? Lucas also agreed?" Sarah met Lucas before. Hearing her words now, I smiled: "Sarah, he is not anyone to me, I make my own decisions, it's okay." On the other end Sarah sighed silently, finally said: "Okay, all smooth, see you day after tomorrow." "Mm, thanks Sarah." Hung up phone, I scanned the room, packed luggage a bit. Since going to teach, I never thought of coming back. Some things, throw away if can't take! That night I slept uneasily. Moment dreaming Dad looking at me in water, moment dreaming Lucas stepping on Dad. I woke up crying. When woke up it was almost dawn, lost sleepiness, got up downstairs. Lucas's mom Mrs. Sterling was already downstairs. Chapter 2 "Riley is up, so early, any plans today?" "Mm, going to school, internship ending soon." Mrs. Sterling brought out oatmeal, face kind, "Any plans after graduation?" "Speaking of which you are same age as Lucas, stayed in ivory tower for so long, entering society later, need to make more friends, avoid being lonely alone." I understood Mrs. Sterling's words, nothing more than wanting me not to pester Lucas. Mr. Sterling said more than once, hoping I could marry Lucas in future. Mrs. Sterling disagreed. Mr. Sterling angry, said that would be ungrateful. That day I was outside the study all along, eavesdropping their quarrel. I understand Mrs. Sterling's meaning. Hearing it then, indeed somewhat sad. Young girl's mind, anyone could see, I had feelings for Lucas. Not only because my dad saved him, but also because, Lucas treated me really well back then. I was alone in strange Sterling house, it was Lucas accompanying me out of haze, going to school and back with me. At first my grades were bad, also Lucas teaching me tirelessly. Later hearing Mrs. Sterling's words, I understood. In her eyes, Sterling family raised me so big, these kindnesses all paid off, no need to be like before. But I also want to say, I don't need them at all, what so-called kindness, I just want my dad back. If not they didn't listen to advice, insisting on camping in that place, Lucas wouldn't be swept away. Now Mrs. Sterling says this, I smiled: "Mrs. Sterling, actually I wanted to tell you long ago, Sterling family raised me so big, I'm already adult, I want to move out." Mrs. Sterling stunned instantly, "Riley, you..." "My dad said when he was around, people have to rely on themselves. Mountain falls, water dries, only relying on oneself can be strong." "Sterling family took me in for so long, these ten plus years you paid a lot, I can't bite the hand that feeds me, so I decided it's time to live independently." "Last night I also wanted to have a showdown with Lucas, but I thought his mood unstable. I only tell you this, trouble you keep secret for me, I have to leave day after tomorrow." Hearing this Mrs. Sterling instantly somewhat surprised, "So urgent!" She didn't say some high-sounding words, only said so urgent, means she also wanted me to leave. Probably realizing her attitude, Mrs. Sterling quickly made up: "I mean isn't it too rushed, still many things not organized." "If Lucas knows, afraid he will make a scene." "Then trouble Mrs. Sterling explain to him clearly, tell him after I leave." Hearing this Mrs. Sterling's face eased a bit, "Okay, Riley, you always sensible, found job? Live where?" "Found already, being a teacher, report day after tomorrow, place to live not found yet." "Good, very good." Mrs. Sterling's mood jumped up immediately, soon went upstairs, came down holding a property deed, "This condo is right in city center, subway station at door, convenient to go anywhere." "For you, Riley, you living alone also pay attention to safety, don't share rental." I accepted. My dad's one life worth their family's payment these years, and this house. I'm not stupid, teaching conditions hard, still need money. With this house, coming back at least have a place to stay. I accepted. Chapter 3 After breakfast, Mrs. Sterling took me to handle transfer. Looking at my name on the deed, I breathed a sigh of relief. I put the deed in bag, packed luggage, turned to look at ornaments on bookshelf. Those were gifts Lucas gave me. Packed one by one, put in box sealed, ready to send to storage room. Just came out, bumped into Lucas. Seeing box in my hand, he frowned, "What things?" "Organized some unused, send to storage room!" "I help you put." He involuntarily snatched over walking towards storage room. I had to follow. "Riley, why not go to reunion? You still mind those things? All passed!" "Lila is back, let's gather!" Hearing this, my steps paused. So she came back, no wonder Lucas insisted taking me. "I said, not going. Lucas, you liking her is your business, no need use me as shield!" "I am not your anyone, nor will guilt trip you!" "Speaking of which, you owe me nothing!" Lucas instantly face iron green, "You!" I snatched box from his hand put in, turned to leave. Lucas kicked the box fiercely in anger, then strode away. For two consecutive days, I was decluttering. Lucas didn't come back, Mr. Sterling went on business trip. Mrs. Sterling seeing me really leaving, also packed big and small bags for me, I mailed them all out. Until the day of departure, Mrs. Sterling reluctant to part, she looked upstairs, "That brat busy with what all day!" "Forget it, Mrs. Sterling, his work busy, don't delay him. I can do it myself, take care!" I dragged luggage leaving, sent a WeChat to Lucas when leaving: "Lucas, goodbye." He didn't reply, I didn't take it seriously either. From Sterling house straight to station, rushing all way. That night, I sat in sleeper berth, pulled into group by him. Once inside, Lila and others posted many photos. She sat with Lucas, fingers interlocked. "Twisting and turning met again! Everyone still so good!" Classmates in group congratulated one after another. "Is this together? Congrats!" "Talented man beautiful woman, when marrying, tell us!" "Today Riley didn't come, is angry? You two together, what about Riley?" Someone tagged Lucas. Good half day Lucas said: "Cold salad (doesn't matter), she has nothing to do with me anyway!" Seeing here, I seemed to see Lucas's world-weary and impatient face. Thinking of high school, he fought for me, drove away those punks touching my head. "Riley, you are my person, I cover you for life in future!" "Riley, you lived in my house so long, have to live on forever!" I was innocent then, "How can live forever, I sooner or later have my own small home." Lucas grabbed my wrist very domineeringly, "No, they all said, life saving grace repay with body, I am yours, future only can marry me have own small home with me!" Lucas's words made me blush then. I thought that was promise, now thinking, that was just his whimsical joke. Only I took it seriously. Group still queuing congratulations. Someone mentioned me, Lucas just belittled blindly. "Don't mention her, I don't owe her. Eating drinking at my house so many years, what kindness all paid enough!" Lila even sent an emoji, "Yeah, Lucas has own life too, can't moral kidnap right!" I sneered, typed a line: "I could have not lived under others' roof. It's you, Lucas Sterling, made me lose family." "If time could flow back, return to past, I definitely pull my dad let him not save you!" Sent out, I quit group, blocked them all. Lucas Sterling, never see again! Chapter 4 People in group saw this message instantly silent as crow. "Riley speaks too ugly, this is cursing you!" Lila said preparing to argue in group, stopped by Lucas, "Ignore her, drink!" He was in bad mood, drank wine in front in one gulp, thinking in heart, go back coax will be fine. Wine passed three rounds, almost done, Lucas got up: "Alright, going back!" "Don't ah Lucas, second round let's go Karaoke!" Lila also pulled him, "I just came back going back so early, play more!" Lucas helpless could only go, followed them play till 2 AM, sent Lila back, then turned home. Arrived home, pitch black. He put brought back cupcake at door. Wait her wake up can see. Next morning early, he woke up, home quiet. Phone lying few messages, all from friends. Among them one from Riley. "Lucas, goodbye!" Seeing this message, he subconsciously trembled in heart! Immediately got up finding Riley. Just out door saw cupcake at Riley's door, he froze, then pushed door. No one! Bed tidy clean, her clothes in closet gone! On desk bookshelf, gifts he once gave Riley, disappeared without trace! Lucas panicked! "Riley! Riley!" He turned rushing out, happened to meet mom. "Lucas, where going?" "Mom, where is Riley? Her room clothes all gone! She even sent me message, saying goodbye!" "She left, found job moved out. I transferred that small condo to her." "Lucas, didn't you say, don't want be guilt tripped? Now she left, shouldn't you be happy?" Lucas struck by lightning. He didn't think like this. He just said casually. But Riley, took it seriously! Lucas rushed out, ignoring mother calling him behind. Condo, that condo! His first thought was find Riley ASAP. Arrived condo, found no one there. Asked property management downstairs knew no one moved in, but house listed at agency. Lucas stunned then, didn't expect Riley actually so cruel. Bits and pieces about him all cleared, and even condo mom gave her she wants sell. Looks like she doesn't want stay here. That moment, Lucas admitted he panicked. He couldn't find Riley, phone blocked, internship unit also stated her term ended, went where, no one knows. Lucas stunned, Riley, completely disappeared from his world. And me, took dozens hours train, from high speed rail to green skin train then to minibus, finally arrived. Just off bus, Sarah brought few teachers picking me at roadside. "Riley, finally hoped you come, quick quick come, just in time for lunch!" "Teacher Riley welcome!" "Welcome new teacher join, let me!" Watching them help me take luggage, clustering me. I happy endlessly, "Don't be polite. I was from here before, treat as returning own hometown." "Really?" Sarah somewhat astonished: "This just right, future we have one more ally!" After meal, packed luggage, I got familiar with school classrooms with Sarah. "Now total 332 students. In this area, this is biggest school, also has dorm!" I pushed door looked, condition quite bad, iron frame beds, floor black. But no way, funds limited. Principal only 35, already has white hair. "Teacher Riley, sure teaching here? I declare first, we here teach 3 years contract, if you can't persist, then dismiss thought early!"
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