8
I don’t know what happened to Garrett
afterward.
Maybe he loved me, but with Lily, he’d
probably forgotten me completely.
I was thriving abroad. I got into a prestigious
university, studying art. My professor called
me a once–in–a–century genius.
I guess I’m not just a freak, but a genius, too.
I lit a cigarette, took a slow drag, my final
project in front of me.
“Got a light?” A young man asked, standing
beside me.
I handed him my lighter.
“Thanks.”
We sat by the lake for hours.
Before leaving, he said, “I’m Ethan. I think I’ve
seen you before, two years ago, on the
Lakeside Highway.”
It was him, the man who’d saved me.
“You must be mistaken,” I smiled.
He pointed to my earlobe. A small, light red
mole.
“I noticed it when I checked your carotid
pulse.
“I asked the hospital; they said you were
dead. It was my first time saving someone,
and I failed.
“I kept thinking, if I’d tried harder, learned
more, maybe you wouldn’t have died.
“I’m glad you’re alive.”
I looked at him. In the setting sun, his face
was blurry.
“Thank you. I’m alive. But I have to leave now,
I need to submit my project.” I smiled.
“I’m Ethan,” he said, “Can you tell me your
name?”
I pointed to my chest. “I’ve been hurt here. I
don’t share my name easily.”
I left without looking back.
Just as things were calming down, more
drama arose. Taylor called. She’d decided to
stay in the country.
“Big trouble! Remember how Garrett wouldn’t
let me bury that fake urn? I had it at my
place.
“Today, he got worked up and tried to steal it.
I obviously wouldn’t give it to him!
“During the struggle, the ashes… well, they
scattered.
“Garrett completely broke down, kneeling to
gather your ashes.
“And… that baby formula is surprisingly good.
It still smells faintly of milk after all this time.”
Me…?
Game over.
I was the one who was stressed now.
I couldn’t believe it. I’d only had two years of
<
peace!
“Taylor, after all these years of friendship,
please don’t tell him where I am.”
“Too late, sweetie. He found out.”
Okay, time to move again.
