Chapter 5
The three–month boot camp was over, followed immediately by portfolio reviews. The interview and second round review drained every ounce of energy I had left.
Frederick had applied to the same schools as me, but I was too exhausted to feel surprised or make small talk about it. When the exam ended, he was already waiting outside, taking my art bag and pressing a cup of warm golden
milk tea into my hands.
‘Come on, let’s go home.”
stared at him blankly, feeling something inside me inexplicably relax. Just as our car started moving, his family’s car broke down, and Frederick approached me apologetically.
‘Mind if I ride with you?”
was too tired to think straight. Half–conscious, I felt someone settle beside me as a jacket that smelled distinctly of
aint was draped over my shoulders.
n my drowsy state, a thought suddenly struck me–hadn’t Frederick’s family moved out of Manhattan years ago?
inally back on familiar Manhattan ground, I immediately got a text from Keith:
Isabella, are you back?”
Think I just saw your family’s car.”
stared at the message, not knowing how to respond. Of the three childhood friends, Keith was the only one I hadn’t xplicitly fallen out with, but Henry’s accidental message had made it crystal clear there was a separate group chat reated specifically for Bessie–and Keith was in it too.
had to admit I couldn’t completely let it go.
When I didn’t reply, his call came through almost immediately, his voice as gentle as ever. “Isabella, did you make it back? How did the portfolio reviews go?”
Without waiting for an answer, he continued, “Tomorrow’s Bessie’s birthday–Alexander’s throwing her a party. sabella, could you come?”
stayed silent as he sighed on the other end. “Bessie says there are things she wants to explain to you ›ersonally—she never meant to push you out. Of course, Alexander, Henry, and I feel the same way. When you left he group chat, it really hurt all of us. We can’t let a fight drag on forever.”
He paused. “It’s tomorrow at Le Bernardin–we’re all hoping you’ll be there…”
15:04
Dumped by Mu then Cruel
Now Lan Dating their Wival
Chapter 5
Too drained to deal with this, I gave him a noncommittal “We’ll see” and hung up.
Frederick had been watching me the entire time. When I raised an eyebrow at him, he suddenly smiled, his dimple appearing on one side.
“Get some good rest, Isabella. Sleep well.”
Keith’s call jolted me awake, and I couldn’t help the irritation in my voice. “What do you want?!”
After a pause, he said quietly, “Isabella, I’m coming to pick you up.”
‘When did I ever say I was going?!”
His tone flattened. “Bessie’s been blaming herself, thinking you left the group and ran off to another state because of
her.”
He continued, “There’s no need to let things get this bad–you know we all grew up together. But Isabella, elationships… they require compatibility. Bessie has everyone’s approval, so you should at least try to get to know
her.”
My eyes fell on the clock, watching the second hand tick steadily forward.
For some reason I couldn’t explain, I felt strangely calm.
After a moment, I heard myself say, “Fine. I’ll go.”
15:04
