Jake stepped out of the bed.
He was much taller than me.
He looked down at me, his face filled with
anger.
“I shouldn’t have rejected Brittany!”
“Get out!”
L
13
The next day, before dawn, I packed my bags.
And left.
Before I left, I looked at the house I lived in for
ten years.
There were images in my head.
I was sad, and there were a lot of emotions.
But most of all, I wanted to start a new life.
After I got into the taxi, I sent a long message
to my aunt and uncle.
And asked them not to give Jake my new
address.
In my new house, I learned how to cook.
く
And got a dog and cat.
Late at night, I looked at the city and felt sad.
In the beginning, I would cry when I thought of
Jake.
After a while, I didn’t feel anything when I heard
his name.
Soon enough, it was time for college.
I never expected to see Jake again.
He found out about my college, my major, and
my class.
He waited for me after my class.
I hadn’t seen him in two months.
His hair was short.
く
The way he looked had changed.
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me outside.
I tried to pull away.
He brought me to the stairs.
He said, “Why did you leave without saying
anything!”
I rubbed my wrist. “I told my aunt and uncle.”
“What about me?!”
His eyes were red.
I felt weird.
I was scared he would do something and give
me trouble.
I said, “Jake, I’m sorry.
Г
“I didn’t think about how you felt.
“Can you leave? People are staring, and I don’t
want people to misunderstand.”
“I’m being nice, but Jake’s anger just grew.
He pushed me to the wall.
“What did you call me?”
He squeezed my chin and forced me to look at
him.
Jake said, “We aren’t blood related!”
I blinked. “But you said you treat me like a
sister.”
He was shocked, and silent.
He said, “Brittany and I broke up.”
く
14
I said okay.
Sarah told me as a piece of gossip.
On Brittany’s birthday, she called Jake to the
hotel.
But something happened.
Jake ran away.
He went home and broke up with her.
After I thought about it, I said, “What?”
He sounded hopeful.
“Riley, can you come back?”
I said, “No!”
