Chapter 4
Aaron clearly wasn’t buying it – he thought I was just being stubborn and trying to save face.
He waved me off with this dismissive look: “Fine, whatever! Do whatever you want. Just don’t blame me when you’re stuck
here!”
“Sophia and I are catching the early train tomorrow. Don’t forget about those library seats!”
With that, he grabbed Sophia’s hand and they walked off.
The morning everyone was leaving campus, the weather was actually gorgeous.
I was wheeling my carry-on out of the dorm when I heard the two voices I least wanted to hear right now.
“Rachel! You’re still leaving even without a ticket?”
Sophia hurried over, her eyes full of fake curiosity: “Did you… find somewhere to crash?”
Aaron was also frowning at me with that look like I was some irresponsible kid causing everyone problems: “I thought you said you didn’t get a ticket? Where exactly are you going with that suitcase? Please don’t tell me you’re taking some gross Greyhound buses…”
His voice was dripping with disgust.
“Those things are cramped and gross, packed with sketchy people. My roommate took one once and came back reeking like cheap diesel and BO. Made me nauseous just being near him.”
He actually stepped back from me, arms crossed, like I was already contaminated.
“If you’re gonna ride one of those things, don’t even think about hanging out with us for a while. That’s embarrassing.”
Like I was doing something that would humiliate him by association.
“Aaron, don’t be so mean… Rachel’s obviously desperate.”
Sophia turned to me with a patronizing, fake-concerned look: “That little apartment I mentioned earlier – yeah, it’s tiny and kind of run-down, but it’s somewhere to stay temporarily… I can give you the key right now. Has to beat riding some disgusting bus.”
She was talking like I was some homeless person who should be grateful for her scraps.
Aaron nodded approvingly: “See how thoughtful Sophia is? Stop being so stubborn and ungrateful.”
“Just take the key and crash there. It’s way better than you wandering around aimlessly. Plus it’ll be convenient for you to get to the library and save our spots.”
Watching their little tag-team act, any last shred of hope I had for Aaron just died.
I forced a smile: “Thanks, but I’m good. I’ve got somewhere to go.”
“Somewhere to go?”
Aaron’s eyebrows shot up- totally skeptical: “Where could you possibly go? You don’t know anyone here.”
“Home,” I said calmly.
“Home?”
Aaron looked like he’d heard the funniest joke ever.
“How are you getting home without a ticket? You gonna fly there?!”
He meant it as some sarcastic burn.
But I nodded seriously:
“Yeah, actually. Private jet.”
The air went completely still.
Sophia’s fake-sweet expression froze on her face like someone had hit pause.
Aaron was totally stunned, and after a few seconds of processing, his face turned red with rage.
“Rachel!”
Th
* Preday
“Are you out of your freaking mind?! Private jet? Why don’t you just say you’re taking a rocket ship!”
“Look, if you couldn’t get a ticket, fine. But making up ridiculous lies to look cool? That’s just pathetic!”
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Sophia snapped back to reality and gently touched Aaron’s arm, her voice all soft and fake-sweet: “Aaron, don’t get so upset… Rachel’s probably just… really stressed and saying crazy stuff… we should try to understand…”
Aaron’s eyes were full of disappointment and disgust: “Understand? For what?”
“Rachel, I never knew you were this fake and delusional!”
x
“Private jet? Seriously? Do you have any idea what that costs? You even had to stay up three nights straight just to get regular
train tickets!”
Looking at his furious face and Sophia’s barely hidden glee, I suddenly felt completely over this whole ridiculous situation.
Arguing with them was like talking to a brick wall.
I was done trying to explain anything.
“Whether it’s BS or not, you’re about to see.
