All Chapters of Our Story Ends on the Hundredth Page: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

"Is this supposed to be my rap sheet?" Dexter Carrington asked, barely glancing at the diary before setting it down. He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind."Come on, Ivy, knock it off. Brianna and I just finished a huge project. I'm dead on my feet, and I really don't have the energy to deal with this right now."He didn't have the energy? I looked down. The phone in his hand was still lit up, open to a conversation with Brianna Holt.She was asking when he wanted to go buy outfits for the celebration. He'd told her tonight, since I had work and wouldn't be around to make a fuss.I almost laughed. He seemed to have plenty of energy for that. He'd even picked a time to go shopping when I wouldn't be there.I pulled free from his arms. "Your phone's still on."He stiffened for a second, then clicked the screen off. "This is Brianna's first time running a project celebration. It means a lot to her."It meant a lot to her, so he didn't want me getting in the way."Wha

I sent the texts and turned off my phone, then got ready for the next piece.Two hours later, when the show finally wrapped, Diana handed me a bottle of water. Her eyes drifted toward the common lounge."Dexter's been waiting for you in there this whole time. He's been pretty polite about it, too, and ordered takeout for everyone."Yours came in a little heart-shaped box."I ignored that and headed for the bathroom to take off my makeup.Brianna was already there, like she'd been waiting for me. The dressing room was full of performers removing their stage makeup. She slipped behind me to help undo my hair the same way she used to back in school."Ivy, the piece you played was incredible. Were you happy to see us out there?"She was always like that, always gentle, always able to find a graceful way through even the most awkward situations. But I was done playing along."Not even a little."I tried to keep my voice steady, but there was still a dull ache spreading through my

In the cafeteria, Dexter opened our chat with a strange, distracted look on his face."Did you get to the hotel? Have you eaten?"He hit send, but the message bounced back as undeliverable.He couldn't believe it. He backed out and went in again, but no matter how many times he tried, it was the same thing.A colleague ribbed him. "Well, well. Even our resident genius gets blocked sometimes."Can't say I blame her, though. Look at this. She sends you all those messages, and you reply with one word. Who'd put up with that?"Only then did Dexter realize that his last message to me was from two days ago. It was just a single "Sure".But scrolling up, page after page, it was all just me."Dexter, I'm going to be part of a huge concert this time. You'll never guess who the headliner is.""There are so many flower arrangements backstage. Where do you think they all end up afterward? Think I could take one home?""Dexter, are you still working? It's past noon.""There's a cat! Dext

For the first time, Dexter found Brianna completely unreasonable. He regretted everything."No. I'm not going to let you hurt her anymore. You're the one with ulterior motives, going after your best friend's boyfriend. This is all on you."Brianna froze, then looked up in disbelief. "Dexter, what did you just say? You're blaming me?"You weren't blaming me when you held me. You weren't blaming me when you kissed me behind her back."Just admit it, Dexter. You're the one who cheated first. You're the one who hurt Ivy. You're the one who drove her away."Dexter's eyes went wide. He couldn't believe she'd known about everything he'd done and never said a word. She didn't just know—she'd pretended nothing had happened and happily soaked up every bit of attention he gave her.Other people in the cafeteria couldn't hold back anymore."Seriously, Dexter, you and Brianna were joined at the hip every single day. The rest of us all assumed you two were the couple.""Turns out you were ac

Three years of silence passed before Dexter managed to test back into the research institute.Brianna latched onto him immediately. "Don't forget how I got kicked out in the first place. You owe me, and this time you're going to help me no matter what. Graduation's coming up, and I need to stay at the institute. I need this."They weren't together, but thanks to Brianna's maneuvering, the entire school had long since assumed they were a package deal."The exams are based on merit. There's nothing I can do!" Dexter shouted in frustration.Brianna didn't care. "I heard the institute's founder has a fiancee who's a musician. Get close to her. Do what you did with Ivy."Dexter looked at her like she'd lost her mind. "You're insane.""Yeah, I am. I've been insane for a while now. Ever since I saw Ivy performing on international stages while I'm still a nobody, I've been insane."I work part-time jobs, I write papers, I deal with people giving me a hard time every single day. Three ye