Page 70 of I Despise You

“You don’t need to say or do anything else. I forgave you, and I forgave myself too. You know what you can do for me? Stay clean.”

He nods, a tear sliding down his cheek. “I will. I promise.”

The waitress reaches our table, apologizing for the delay, but the truth is, we haven’t even noticed how much time has passed. We order our food, and when she’s gone, I meet Chase’s gaze.

We sit in silence for a few moments, as if neither of us knows what to say.

“I saw the list,” Chase says. “Congratulations. You’re going to win that scholarship. I’m really happy for you.”

“Thanks.” I give him a small smile. “And I think you should stay at Richerville Prep.” I hope I’m not making a mistake because he reminds me so much of the Chase I love. The one I feel safe with.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

“If you change your mind at any point, all you have to do is text me and I’ll be gone.”

“Okay.” Having that option already makes me feel a whole lot better about him and about my decision. “What are your plans now? Do you think you can still go to the Richerville University? I know you dropped out of the race for the scholarship, but your father is wealthy and influential—”

“I don’t know yet. I was hoping I wouldn’t need him, but I guess my mom was right after all.”

“What do you mean?” I furrow my brow.

“She always kept telling me that I would never achieve anything without my father’s money, and she was right.” He sighs.

“What?” I gape at him. Automatically, I reach out and place my hand over his on the table. The contact seems to shock us both, because a shot of electricity runs through my hand and he looks at me in surprise.

I pull my hand back. “Chase, that just sounds wrong. You weren’t the best student at Richerville Prep just because of the pills. They’re not some magical substance that makes you smart.”

“I guess they’re not, but I decided to take them and I ruined everything. It’s my fault. No one else’s.”

“You’ve made some bad choices, yeah. But everyone does that. I’m sure you can do great without the pills or anything else. Universities will be fighting for you. Maybe it won’t be the Richerville University, but I bet there’ll be others who will gladly offer you a full scholarship.”

“Thank you,” he says, his voice almost a whisper, and I’m not entirely sure he believes me.

Our food arrives, and as we eat, I keep stealing glances at Chase. Maybe we can still be friends, even if that idea sounds crazy.