Chapter 15
The final class meeting marked the end of our three years of intense studying. According to tradition at Yardville High School, there would be a farewell banquet tonight a proper send-off for both students and teachers, a grand celebration to put a perfect end to this
chapter of our lives.
After dinner, it was already past 9:00 pm, but no one wanted the night to end. Someone suggested going to a karaoke bar, and since we were all adults now, our homeroom teacher didn’t stop us. Instead, she made up an excuse to leave and gave us the time to enjoy ourselves.
I didn’t want to stay in the same space as Ethan, nor did I want to constantly be on guard against Leah’s manipulative tactics.
I was thinking of finding an excuse to leave when Lyla clung to my arm with excitement and wouldn’t let go.
“Eve, let’s have a little bit of alcohol, okay? How about a mojito? I’ve never had alcohol before, and I really want to try it. I wonder if it’s as good as people say.” Lyla looked at me with her eyes full of eager anticipation.
I knew her parents were very strict with her. She had never had a drop of alcohol in her Ete. So, upon seeing her with those bright, hopeful eyes, I just couldn’t say no. “Alright, but let’s make a deal,” I said while checking my phone. “It’s 10:00p.m. now. We’ll go home at exactly midnight, and you can only try a little bit-no overindulging,”
As I spoke, I felt a gaze Lingering on me. Instinctively looked around but didn’t see anything.
Lyla quickly nodded and smiled brightly. “Okay!”
On the other side of the room, I overheard Leah asking Ethan, “Erhan, are you going too?
Ethan’s voice was calm. “Do you want to go?
Leah replied, “I do. After tonight, we’ll all be going our separate ways. Opportunities to hang out like this will be rare.
Ethan smiled faintly. “Then let’s go.”
From what I remember, Ethan had never been interested in socializing with our classmates. He was generous, polite, and helpful throughout our three years of high school, but that didn’t mean the valued those friendships deeply.
He was too busy, and he had always been taught to maximize his own benefits. Hence, he rarely joined in on group activities unless it was necessary. But tonight, he accompanied Leah because she wanted to go Sometimes, I didn’t understand my former self. So many little details had clearly shown me how much Ethan favored Leah, yet I remained blind to them back then.
Soon, we made our way to a karaoke bar, filling a private room with our presence. Since we were in an elite class, there were only about 20 of us, but the room quickly became crowded with everyone either standing or sitting, I didn’t feel like singing or drinking, so I found an inconspicuous corner to sit in, resting my head on my hand while watching the others have fun. I felt like an outsider in the lively atmosphere.
I thought back to this same day in my past life. I had been so incredibly happy then, thrilled that I had finally caught up with the boy I loved with all my heart.
I couldn’t help but daydream about a beautiful future, eagerly looking forward to the day we’d finally be together. But what happened in the end?
Ismirked to myself, lost in thought, when suddenly someone called out to me,
“Evelyn, come join us in the game!”
I looked over and saw Ethan, Leah, and a bunch of others gathering to play Truth or Dare. Ethan was looking at me, but I couldn’t make out his expression in the dim light. However, his eyes reminded me of a calm winter lake. I instinctively wanted to read his thoughts, but my rational mind quickly stopped me
Lyla appeared beside me and clutched my arm. “You guys go ahead and play. Eve and I are tired, so we’ll rest for a bit.”
Someone in the crowd called out, “Tired? How could she be tired when she’s been sitting there the whole time without moving? What a killjoy.”
“You!” Lyla started to retort, but I gently squeezed her arm, stopping her before she could say anything else.
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