Chapter 4

Once the graduation ceremony ended, everyone left to return home.

It took Samuel reminding them before my parents and Alexis finally remembered me.

"Ethan, where did you run off to this time?" Mom asked.

I didn't answer. I simply climbed into the car without a word and moved to the last row without any prompting.

Unfazed by my silence, they entered the car and began excitedly talking about which university Alexis and Samuel planned to attend and which major they wanted to study.

"Sam, with you and Alexis both going to Jocaster University, we can rest easy knowing that she'll be there to look out for you."

Samuel nodded happily in response.

However, when it came to which major to study, Mom and Dad had differing opinions and argued over it. In the end, they decided that the choice was up to Samuel.

"Sam is smart and has his own plans and ideas. Unlike Ethan, we don't need to worry about him at all."

Throughout it all, I kept silent.

As we neared home, they finally noticed me sitting in the last row of the car.

Mom asked me, "Ethan, what do you plan to do?"

I never even got the chance to answer before Alexis spoke up first. "Mrs. Grant, Ethan didn't do too well and will need to retake the test. Don't worry, though. Sam and I will head to Jocaster University first to scout things out. Ethan can come join us later."

Dad and Mom exchanged a glance, then sighed.

"Ethan, if only you were half as responsible as Sam…" Dad said.

I blinked, causing my tears to drip onto my phone screen. My SAT scores glared back at me, the bold, black numbers of "1580" particularly striking against the white background.

Not once had they ever asked me about my scores. Instead, just because of one sentence from Alexis, they instantly believed I had dropped the ball on the test and needed to retake it.

I started selling all the rewards my parents had given me over the years, along with the birthday presents and other gifts Alexis had given me on special occasions.

That, plus the money I had saved up all these years, would be enough to pay for my tuition fee and the living expenses of the first few months.

After settling that matter, I neatly placed my admission letter to Greenhill University in my suitcase before shutting it.

However, when I left my room with my suitcase, I realized that the house was empty.

At that moment, Alexis called me.

"Ethan, I've already done some research for you and picked out the best tutors to aid you in passing the SAT next time. Once the college acceptance party is over today, I'll accompany you there to enroll in it."

I didn't respond as I simply stared at the family photo on the first floor for a moment. Then, I asked her, "Whose college acceptance party?"

"Of course, it's mine and Sam's!"

Everyone had gone to the party, while I was the only one left in the dark, just like how they had another group chat they usually chatted in—one without me in it.

"Since Sam and I are both going to Jocaster University, my parents and yours decided to celebrate together."

"Oh."

At this point, I was so far beyond disappointed that I didn't even want to speak anymore.

Sensing my low mood, Alexis added in a gentle tone, "Ethan, we were worried that you would be sad, and that's why we didn't invite you. After all, you'll need to retake the test. I promise that we'll definitely throw you a grand party in the future to celebrate your admission."

My heart throbbed in pain, as though someone had stabbed a knife into it, and a wave of bitterness surged through me.

"Alexis, actually, I—"

"Alexis, what are you doing? We're about to start!"

I was originally planning on telling her the truth before breaking up with her, but then Samuel interrupted us.

Alexis was in such a hurry to hang up that she didn't hear the rest of my words.

I swept one last glance around me, taking in the house that I grew up in. Then, I turned and headed for the airport.

…

Dad and Mom sat beneath the stage as they watched Samuel and Alexis, feeling comforted at how the two of them had turned out.

Suddenly, Dad said, "You know, there's no denying that Sam and Alexis make quite the perfect pair."

Mom straightened and slapped him. "What nonsense are you spouting? You know how Ethan has always had a crush on Alexis."

At the mention of me, they felt an inexplicable sense of emptiness in their hearts.

"I wonder which tutor Ethan plans on picking to strengthen his foundations."

Just then, Ms. Carletta called Mom.

"Mrs. Grant, it's me, Edith Carletta."

Mom put the call on speakerphone before happily greeting her.

Ms. Carletta went on, "Where do you plan on holding Ethan's college admission party? Might I have the honor of attending?"

The smile on Mom's face froze as a hint of embarrassment flashed across her countenance.

"Ms. Carletta, I'm afraid we'll have to disappoint you. Ethan didn't do well on his SAT and needs to retake it."

On the other end of the line, Ms. Carletta was momentarily surprised before she asked in confusion, "Mrs. Grant, you must be joking, right?

"Ethan did extraordinarily well this time and scored 1580 on his SAT. Why would he need to retake it?"