Halfway through the meal, someone brought up college applications.
“Where did you all apply?”
Jade asked, slicing the cake as she spoke.
“Somewhere in-state. Close to home.”
“Same. My parents won't let me leave the state.”
Jade turned to Nora：“Nora, what about you?”
Nora was scooping a strawberry off the top of the cake with a small spoon. She didn't even look up：“Lakewood. That's been decided forever.”
She finished the sentence and glanced over at me, completely casual.
“Daryl and I agreed. We're going to Lakewood together.”
Light, offhand, like she was stating a fact of nature.
Nobody questioned it. Most people at the table already knew about us.
Jade looked across the table：“Jayden, how about you?”
Jayden had been drinking water. He set the glass down and smiled, just slightly.
“I applied to Lakewood too.”
The private room went quiet.
Nora's spoon froze in midair. The strawberry slipped off the edge and dropped onto the cake plate.
It bounced once and rolled across the table.
She stared at Jayden, nothing but shock in her eyes.
“Jayden, you applied to Lakewood?”
“Mm.” Jayden nodded, same smile in place. “Their program rankings are solid, and I really like the city.”
He said it easily, like it had nothing to do with anyone else in the room.
But the looks passing around the table told a different story.
Someone stared at their phone. Someone pretended to reach for food. Someone's gaze flicked to me, then to Nora, then away.
I didn't look up. I kept eating.
After the meal, Jade suggested karaoke. I declined.
Nora sat in her seat and looked at me, long and hard.
She didn't ask me to stay.
Back home, my parents were watching TV in the living room.
I sat down on the couch and said, calmly：“Dad, Mom. I changed my college application. Not Lakewood. I switched to Northfield Institute of Technology.”
“I don't want the Hensons to know about this.”
The living room was quiet for a few seconds.
My dad turned off the TV and looked at me.
My mom set the remote down. Her expression was hard to read.
“One more thing. I want to leave for school early. Next Monday.”
I'd been locking myself in my room every day since coming home, barely touching my phone, barely saying a word at dinner.
I hadn't reached out to Nora once.
They'd seen all of it. They must have already guessed.
My mom asked quietly：“Sweetheart, is something going on between you and Nora……”
“There's nothing between us.” I kept my voice even. “I just don't want to go to Lakewood anymore.”
She opened her mouth again, but my dad raised a hand to stop her.
“Son.”
“Whatever school you pick, as long as you've thought it through, we respect your decision.”
My mom's eyes went red. She didn't ask anything more.
A few days later.
I dragged my suitcase through the airport, picked up my boarding pass, and got in line at the gate.
My phone rang. Nora's father.
“Daryl, do you remember what day it is today?”
He was smiling on the other end.
Of course I knew.
I knew that date better than anyone. I used to start picking out her gift months in advance.
“Mr. Henson, could you do me a favor and tell Nora happy birthday for me?”
“And one more thing.” I paused. “Tell her this is the last time.”
Silence on the other end.
I didn't wait for him to respond. I powered off my phone.
The gate had already started boarding. I grabbed my bag and walked forward.
I didn't look back.
