A Lifetime Misplaced

Then Avery looked at Mom expectantly.

Because for the first time, Mom hadn't gotten up to fetch her a plate and cutlery.

Whenever Avery came over in the past, Mom treated her like a daughter. She'd never even let her serve herself.

When Avery realized none of the three of us intended to move, tears immediately welled in her eyes.

"Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, I'm sorry. I know you're angry with me. That's why I came here today, to explain.

"Caleb was my classmate in middle school. His father really did beat him badly. I just felt sorry for him and wanted to help. I swear I never looked at the stolen exam papers. Earning third place in the class was entirely my own achievement."

Dad continued drinking in silence, his expression cold.

Mom smiled politely. "Avery, tonight is a family dinner. It's not really appropriate to have guests over. Why don't you come back another day?"

Tears immediately rolled down Avery's cheeks. She grabbed my arm and refused to let go.

"Logan, I was wrong. Can you forgive me just this once? Can we talk?"

Dad slammed his glass onto the table. "Logan, if you walk out that door with her, don't bother coming back for dinner. You can stay hungry."

I stood up and gave him a look. "Dad, trust me this time."

Then I followed Avery outside.

After we left the building, she hesitated for a long time, clearly wanting to say something but unable to find the words.

I finally lost patience and urged her, "If you've got something to say, then say it."

With tears shimmering in her eyes, she looked up at me. "Logan, why have you suddenly become so cold toward me? Didn't you say you liked me? You even kissed me the other day."

Then she carefully asked, "Did... did you remember something?"

I instantly understood. She was testing whether I'd been reborn too. Of course I couldn't let her know the truth.

An idea suddenly came to me. I put on a gentle smile and took her hand.

"Avery, no. I still like you. I still want to marry you someday and give you a good life."

"Then why did you treat me like that today?"

I sighed. "It's embarrassing, honestly. My grades are terrible. At best, I'll end up at some community college. You're headed for a top university. I don't want to hold you back."

In my previous life, Mom paid for Avery to attend a prestigious university. As for me, I chose a rundown community college near her campus just so I could stay close to her.

This time, things would be different.

I continued, "We're probably not even going to end up at the same school. Seeing each other will only get harder. Better to end it now than drag it out."

"No!" she blurted out immediately. "I'll go to community college with you!"

"If you score high enough for a top university and still choose community college, your mom will be heartbroken."

"It's okay. I'll just intentionally score lower on the college entrance exam. I'll tell my mom I got sick and wasn't feeling well."

A smile instantly spread across my face. I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

"That's very thoughtful. Love you."

"Then... my tuition..."

"Don't worry. My family will take care of it."

What she didn't know was that starting the very next day, I stopped going to school altogether and disappeared from her life.

Dad had agreed to my request.

He spent a fortune getting me into one of the most elite college entrance exam prep programs in the country.

I had only one goal: Crown University.

I couldn't wait to see the expression on her face when her community college acceptance letter was placed beside my admission letter from Crown's.