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You were thinking you were in love. You were thinking Adonis was the one. You were thinking you wanted to be on a beach with him for the rest of your life.

But I knew better now. I ignored the feeling of a knife slowly twisting in my chest. And I shoved away pestering thoughts of Adonis as I splashed water in Jacob’s face.

“Oh, it’s so on, Soph,” Jacob said and lunged for me.

I tried to swim away, but he grabbed my ankle, making me paddle to no avail.

And then Liam dunked my face into the water.

I was laughing so hard when my head broke the surface. We were going to have the best summer ever.

I was leaving my past behind.

Adonis.

Mr. Halifax.

All the heartbreak that had happened at Empire High.

The University of New Castle was going to be my fresh start. And I desperately needed one.

God, I really hoped Uncle James pulled through. Or else I was worried that this ache in my chest would never go away.

Chapter 44 – Don’t Do Anything I Wouldn’t Do

Saturday – 3 Months Later

I threw my arms around Uncle James. “Thank you!”

“Of course, Sophie,” Uncle James said.

Uncle James had told me weeks ago that he’d gotten me back into the University of New Castle. But I didn’t let myself believe it until I’d actually stepped foot in my dorm. A dorm that I was sharing with Scarlett. I had no idea how Uncle James had done it, but I was so beyond grateful.

“It was really no problem at all,” he said.

I knew that wasn’t true. It had probably cost him a small fortune. But I’d make it up to him. Somehow. I squeezed him tight and then pulled back.

“You might not be thanking him later,” my dad said and pulled me into a hug.

“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked.

“Just wait for it.” He kissed the top of my head. “I’m going to miss you, baby girl.”

I rested the side of my face against his chest. “I’m going to miss you too, Dad.”

He sniffed.

“Stop it, you’re going to make me cry.” I quickly pulled back and saw my mom with tears in her eyes. She’d been busy setting up things in the room. But now that the bed was made, and she wasn’t distracted, she was quickly falling apart. Which was just going to make me fall apart.

“Stop it, both of you,” I said.

“I can’t help it,” my mom said as she wrapped her arms around me. “You’re my baby.”

I laughed. “I’m 18.”

“You’ll always be my baby, Sophie.” She patted both sides of my face. “I am so proud of you.”

“For dropping out of school and then having to get my uncle to pull major favors in order to get me back in?”