Chapter 15 I managed to avoid seeing Aiden again until move in day , though it wasnt easy living next door . Id time my coffee runs and grocery trips for when his car wasnt in the driveway , Started taking the long way to everywhere , just in case . Maya sent me his Instagram post a perfectly filtered photo of him and Madison at some rooftop party , his caption announcing they were official . I deleted the notification without opening it , but not before catching a glimpse of the likes piling up . All our mutual friends , already accepting this new reality . I went through my social media with surgical precision , blocking anyone connected to him . His friends , his cousins , even his little sister who used to borrow my makeup . There was no point keeping any windows into his life open anymore . Some doors need to stay firmly shut . But the universe has a twisted sense of humor we ran into them at JFK . Madison was there , of course , looking like shed stepped out of a travel influencers feed in her matching luggage set and designer sweats . Her carefully curated airport look made my jeans and Columbia hoodie (bought before everything fell apart ) feel suddenly childish . Aiden barely managed a stiff Hello to my parents before storming off . He looked right through me like I was just another stranger in the crowded terminal . We quickly scattered in different directions , everyone pretending this wasnt painfully awkward . No one looking back , because looking back meant acknowledging what wed all lost . At the security checkpoint , I caught one last glimpse of him heading to his gate the one for New York bound flights . He must have felt my gaze because he turned , just for a moment . One final cold look before he disappeared through the doors , Madisons hand tucked perfectly in his . Just like that , the boy whod been there for every major moment of my life first day of school , braces , drivers test , prom was walking toward a different future . The boy who knew all my secrets , all my fears , all my dreams . Or at least , the dreams Id had before I learned to dream bigger than just being his . Our paths were finally diverging . Good luck with your life , I thought silently , watching his retreating back . Some childhood stories dont get happy endings . Some prince charmings turn out to be just boys who never learned to see beyond themselves . I turned toward my own gate , ticket to San Francisco clutched in my hand . Stanford was waiting , and for the first time in my life , I was writing my own story no co author needed . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!