Chapter 5
Pretty late, Bryce showed up with desserts.]
“Eat up,
I’ve got stuff to do after this.“]
“Just wanted to let you know–cancel whatever flight you booked.“[]
“I thought about it, and we’re only getting a few days anyway. No point going home. We can hang out here instead.“]
Seeing my expression, Bryce thought for a second and grinned: “What’s up? Someone piss you off?“]
I said: “Bryce, we already broke up. Stop coming around.“]]
“Yeah yeah, ‘broke up‘…” []
Bryce rolled his eyes while pulling macarons out of the bag.
“You’re seriously something else.“]
“Either way, cancel that ticket. I’m not kidding around–don’t call me later asking why I’m not home.“]
“We’ve barely seen each other during this whole fight thing. If I’m gone another week, I’m worried my little crybaby’s gonna go full villain mode.“]
He tried to feed me a macaron.]]
But I stepped back with no expression:[]
“I told you, we’re broken up.“]
AY
“So whether it’s seven days or a year, it’s got nothing to do with me. I don’t care, understand?”
Bryce looked at me, his smile slowly fading.
“Oh, so you’re not over it yet.“[]
“I seriously don’t get what you’re even mad about.“]
His face showed rare annoyance:[]
“You obviously can’t live without me, but you just HAVE to be stubborn. Did I spoil you too much, Maddison? Is that why you’re acting so bratty?“]
I raised my voice:
“Not wanting to stay here with you makes me bratty?“[]
“You’re only staying for River anyway. Stop lying to me, Bryce.“[]
21%
“You can go take care of whoever you want, just quit feeding me this BS. It’s disgusting!“]
Bryce closed his eyes.]]
Like he was finally exhausted, he casually tossed the dessert bag on the floor.]]
“Fine, yeah, River’s part of it.“]]
“But think about it honestly–if your best friend got hurt and had nobody, wouldn’t you stay to take care of her?”
“If I hadn’t ignored River that day to focus on you, she never would’ve gone street racing out of spite. Taking care of her is MY responsibility.“]
Then he had that familiar look of irritation and frustration.]
“Please, stop fighting about this random stuff. I’m really tired.“[]
I didn’t want to say another word to him:]
“Okay cool. You got anything else? If not, I’m going to bed.”
With that, I turned toward my dorm.]
Bryce took a deep breath and called out:]
“Maddison, being too extra isn’t cute anymore.“]]
“I already said what I had to say. Whether you cancel that ticket or not, I’m not gonna keep babying you.“[]
“Think it over. Give me the silent treatment for another week, and don’t cry when I get closer to her.”
Hearing that final threat made me pretty pissed.]
Bryce was just banking on me not being able to live without him, so he was using River to threaten me.]
But I was leaving the country.]
Who cared what happened between him and River?]
Next morning at 7 AM sharp, I took a cab to the airport.]
Two suitcases, 45 pounds each.]
Bryce always used to carry them for me.[]
I used to think I couldn’t handle anything without him.]
Turns out a lot of stuff I can actually do solo.[]
Life without Bryce? I’d be fine.[]
Twenty minutes before boarding, an unknown number called.[]
Bryce had borrowed someone’s phone.
“Yo princess, come downstairs. Brought you breakfast.”
“Cafeteria’s closed for break, so if you don’t come down, you’re gonna starve. Not my problem.“[]
I said casually: “I’m not in the dorm.“]
“Where are you?”
“Airport.”
