Page 9

Kairi

Class was canceled, which was a relief because I needed a break from the endless lectures and last-minute assignments that came with the end of the semester.

I mentally ticked off the things I needed to get done before graduation. I was so lost in my thoughts that I almost missed Mason slipping out of my apartment and heading out the back of the complex. He didn’t see me; he was too focused on making a quick exit. My stomach twisted as I watched him go, a cold unease settling in my chest.

Mason coming out of our apartment didn’t make any sense—at least not the kind I wanted to think about. I stopped in my tracks, my heart racing as I tried to piece together what I’d just seen. I knew Atlas wasn’t here with him; I had just ducked him back on campus.

As soon as I opened the door, the smell hit me—sex, sweat, and something else that made my skin crawl. My eyes landed on Ashlen—sprawled out on the sofa, half-naked, her red hair wild and her eyes low and relaxed as she scrolled through her phone.

“Was that Mason I just saw?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Ashlen slightly jumped, surprised but composed herself quickly, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Mason? What are you talking about?” she said, fake innocence dripping from her voice as she sat up, grabbing a robe and slipping it on.

I knew what I saw, and the smell of the room was confirmation. But I swallowed down the truth, forcing myself to look away. Whatever Ashlen was doing—or whoever she was doing—wasn’t my business. At least that’s what I tried to tell myself.

Ashlen stood, tightening the robe around her waist as she headed toward the bathroom. “I’m going to shower,” she tossed over her shoulder.

I nodded, not trusting myself to say anything more. I didn’t want to think about it—about Mason, about Ashlen, about what this all meant. I had enough to deal with without getting involved in their mess. But still, the thought of Ashlen cheating on Atlas left a bitter taste in my mouth. He was too good to her. Gave her whatever she wanted. Was nice to her. Didn’t cheat. But that was not my business.

I started to put away the groceries I’d bought. About ten minutes later, I heard Ashlen behind me. She had changed into a graphic tee, probably without washing her ass, because she’d gone in and come out too fast. “Oh, by the way, this came for you,” she said, holding out a certified letter. “A delivery person dropped it off earlier.”

I took the envelope. It was from my father. I’d told him about my decision to take an internship at a big paper in New York right after graduation, and he’d promised to send me something to help with the move.

I opened the envelope and pulled out a bank statement and a check. My eyes widened as I read the amount—$100,000. The letter from my father was short but heartfelt.

“This is from your mother’s life insurance. I saved it for you after you got a full-ride scholarship. This will help in New York. I love you, butterfly.”

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and my chest tightened. But before I could fully process the moment, Ashlen’s voice cut through my thoughts. She was looking over my shoulder.

“That’s a big check. That takes a big weight off my chest. Now you can afford the rent by yourself,” Ashlen said, her tone suddenly sharp. “Because I won’t be going to New York.”

I looked up at her, confused. “What are you talking about?”

Ashlen smiled. “Atlas and I are getting married. I don’t need to go to New York with you anymore.”

My heart dropped. “He proposed?”

“No, not yet,” Ashlen replied, waving her hand dismissively. “But he will. His mother assured me.”

I stared at her, trying to make sense of what I was hearing. “How long have you known you weren’t going to go with me?”

“For months,” Ashlen said with a shrug, like it didn’t matter. “I just didn’t know how to tell you.”

Something inside me snapped. All the lies, the manipulation, the betrayal. She was cheating on Atlas—it was too much. “That was fucking selfish of you. You could have told me. I would have been stuck trying to survive if not for this check,” I said, my voice trembling with anger.

Ashlen’s eyes narrowed, her smirk turning cold. “Don’t you dare. I’m the only reason you’re not stuck in the dorms. And now you want to use me for more money so you don’t have to live in some shit place in Harlem?”

My mouth fell open. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Wow, tell me how you really feel. And what the fuck is wrong with Harlem?” I shook my head and continued before she said some more stupid shit. “And you’re full of shit though, Ashlen. I used my scholarship to pay half the rent, I’ve been buying food, letting you borrow money, and taking care of the bills with the money my father sends me for the past four years. All you did was pay the deposit and buy a few pieces of furniture. You don’t think I know your parents went bankrupt? You don’t think I didn’t know you couldn’t and wouldn’t pay me back every time you asked for money? You think I didn’t know Atlas has been paying your rent?” I knew Atlas had been paying her way since her birthday two years ago. I heard them arguing. She wanted to throw a yacht party. I heard him telling her to choose: rent or impressing her friends for one day.

Ashlen’s face turned white as a sheet, crumbling. Without another word, she bolted from the apartment, slamming the door behind her.

I stood there, my heart pounding, my mind racing. I couldn’t stay here, not now. Not when I knew the truth about Ashlen and Mason, not when the trust between us had been shattered.

I moved quickly, grabbing the essentials—clothes, toiletries, my laptop, and the check from my father. I stuffed everything into a suitcase. As I packed, my hands trembled. I wasn’t just angry—I was heartbroken. Ashlen had been my best friend, my family, for so long. This was the end of a pivotal part of my life. I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew I couldn’t stay here, not for the next two weeks.

I walked out of the apartment without looking back, checking into a nearby hotel. For the first time in a long time, I felt free.

Free to start over. New York suddenly wasn’t just a dream anymore; it was my escape. A beginning.