Best Friends Forever_ Think Again

The next morning, I went to school with my withdrawal papers in hand.

As the secretary stamped the documents, a wave of emptiness washed over me. I stared blankly at the ink until a figure stepped in front of me.

Caleb's brow was furrowed. "You changed your security code? I came back to check on you after dropping Chloe off, but I couldn't get in."

I cut him off. "Yes, I did."

He suppressed his annoyance, his voice shifting back to that familiar, warm tone. "What's the new code? So I can come over and take care of you."

"There's no need," I said flatly. "I'm moving once I transfer."

He glanced at the confirmation email on my phone and slapped his forehead. "Oh, right, I forgot. Don't worry, I'll get my papers done tomorrow."

Walking and talking with him felt like a faint echo of old times. Moments like these had all but vanished since Chloe's arrival.

As nostalgia tugged at my heart one last time, I decided to test the waters. "After everything that's happened, you really don't have to worry about me anymore."

He was silent for a moment. "Actually, I…"

Chloe suddenly appeared behind him, clutching a stack of notes. Her voice was cloying, a high-pitched whine. "Caleb, you promised you'd help me study. Where did you run off to?"

She shoved the notes at him, batting her eyelashes. "I saw your whole schedule is packed for the next two months, so I prepared some study materials for us. You won't get mad that I peeked at your calendar, will you?"

"Of course not," Caleb managed, forcing a stiff smile and darting a quick, guilty glance at me.

When I showed no reaction, his eyes dimmed slightly.

I knew exactly what was happening. While he was pushing me away, he had been planning a future with Chloe—one that didn't include me.

I kept my face a mask of indifference, but inside, bitterness spread like a slow burn of whiskey. I dug my nails into my palm, grounding myself. "I'll get going, then. Don't want to disturb you two."

Chloe gasped, pretending she had only just noticed me. "Ava? Are you upset because I'm studying with Caleb? I don't have your money or connections, so…"

Her voice broke, and she started to sob.

Unmoved, I said, "Get out of my way."

My blunt words shattered Caleb's guilt. He grabbed my wrist, his voice hot with anger. "What the hell is your problem?"

He yanked me in front of Chloe and commanded, "Apologize to her. Now."

The last lingering shred of affection I had for him crumbled to dust. My hand flew up, slapping him hard across the face. "You're the one who should be apologizing. Not to Chloe. To me."