Randolf’s POV
But right then, Jeremy suddenly snatched the necklaces from my hands.
Frowning, he said, “Randolf, how could you give fake stuff to the princesses?”
“Fake?!”
Hearing that, everyone’s faces changed. Their eyes darted toward me with suspicion.
Even the two girls looked embarrassed.
I swallowed my anger and said, “Are you just going to make stuff up? I spent real money on this!”
“Randolf, come on,” Jeremy scoffed. “Even lies have limits. Where would you get the money to buy something this expensive? You couldn’t even afford to host their birthday party!”
That was it. I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Bullshit!” I shouted. “I’ve paid for every single one of their birthday parties!”
But Jeremy didn’t get mad. Instead, he smirked and said, “Are you mad? Why don’t you ask the princesses who really hosted it?”
I turned to them, expecting the truth.
They knew. I’d explained everything to them before. There was no way they’d—
“Randolf, can you stop making trouble, please?” Nella said, frowning. “If you don’t want to keep the promise we made back then, fine. But don’t lie about it.”
“The restaurant owner already told us that Jeremy worked for months to put this together for us,” Allen continued. “And you? You make 45 bucks an hour when you actually work, yet you always claim you’re broke.”
I froze, staring at them in disbelief. The words hit me like a punch to the gut.
“I paid for all of this!” I repeated. “And now you think the gift I bought is fake?”
“I had to spend all my savings when Grandma got sick!” I added.
“Did either of you even visit her while she was dying in her bed?”
But they ignored me completely, their expressions full of irritation.
“Enough, Randolf. Stop pretending.”
“Jeremy showed us a video of Grandma—she’s perfectly fine!”
“Stop using her as an excuse! And let’s not forget, you were the one who accused us of taking your bank card!”
“Jeremy saved our lives. Why can’t you just be grateful to him?”
“You’re the one who’s stopped caring about us!”
I stared at them in shock. They didn’t feel like the same girls I’d grown up with.
“So no matter what I say, I’m just lying, and Jeremy is always right?” I asked.
“Fine. If that’s how you see it, then go ahead and believe him!”
“Go ahead and trust your perfect little ‘poor student.’”
Anger boiled inside me as I turned and stormed off.
“Randolf!”
Their voices called me back. I stopped and turned around.
Before I could say anything, two necklaces came flying at my face, landing hard on the ground in front of me.
“Take your fake stuff and leave!” Nella said coldly. “We don’t want it!”
The diamonds and pearls scattered everywhere just like my pride.
I felt every eye on me, humiliation burning my face. My vision blurred with rage as I looked up at my so-called friends.
And that’s when I saw it—something I wish I’d never seen.
Jeremy was holding both their hands. His fingers gently stroked their palms, comforting them.
That was our thing! Something only we know!
I stumbled back, barely catching myself before I fell.
Apparently, I wasn’t their only one anymore.
I turned and walked away as fast as I could, their voices drowned out by the whispers and laughter of the guests around me.
For the next few days, Nella, Allen, and I didn’t speak at all.
The only connection I had with them was through Jeremy’s Facebook.
They were everywhere.
Climbing snowy mountains with him. Watching sunsets.
Walking along streets, feeling the sea breeze.
Sitting beside him in class. Eating lunches together.
And me? I stayed alone in my cramped apartment, packing up my things. Getting ready to leave.
On Christmas Eve, I heard from Allen—after all this time. It was voice messages.
“Randolf, we know you’re mad, but it’s not like we don’t love you.”
“Today’s the day we agreed on. It’s time for you to make your choice.”
Randolf’s POV
“Nella’s in Room 401, and I’m in Room 402.”
“Whichever door you knock on, both of us will wish you the best.”
Her tone was full of hope and excitement like nothing bad had ever happened between us.
I stared at the voice messages, my expression calm.
Today wasn’t just the day of my 10-year promise to the two girls I’d grown up with—it was also the day I was going to leave for San Francisco Peaks.
Before boarding the plane, I powered off my phone without hesitation, pulled my coat tighter, and stepped into the unknown.
I didn’t look back.
