2
In my past life, I gave up everything for Damon, putting in endless hours to retake the college exams. Damon said he’d register me but later claimed he couldn’t because of some new regulations.
11:25 AM
I believed him.
Later, I wanted to try for the adult college exam, but he said it was pointless. I decided to take it anyway, but on the test day, my alarm didn’t go off. I confronted him, and he insisted he’d turned it off to let me sleep.
I was furious, but he held me close, saying, “Callie, let’s just get married. I’ll love you whether or not you go to college.”
I cried in his arms, dreams of my future slipping away. But he was happy to let them.
Damon later claimed he’d racked up debt from a work project, so I took on three, four jobs a day to help him repay it. Looking back, he must have seen me as an obstacle in Claire’s path, something to be controlled.
Back in the classroom, I packed my things and headed home, ignoring a message from my desk mate saying Damon had been looking for me. He wasn’t giving up.
My parents worked out of town, and when they heard about my score, they sent me some money and ordered a cake for me, though they wouldn’t be back until next month. I understood them–they were out there working construction jobs, every day on the job meaning one more day’s pay.
I wasn’t in any rush to submit my college preferences; there were still two days left. But some people were getting antsy.
That night, I went for a walk and ran into Damon. “Fancy meeting you here, Callie.”
“Don’t you live on the west side?” I asked, already annoyed.
Damon shrugged. “I had some errands over here. Want some company?”
“No,” I said icily. “Stay away from me.”
Damon looked stunned, then hurt. “Do you…hate me?”
I stared at him. “Yes. So stay away from me.”
Damon took a sharp breath. With his looks and popularity, he probably couldn’t fathom why I’d hate him so much.
If it wasn’t illegal, I’d have knifed him already and been done with it.
“Callie, if you hate me, at least tell me why.” Damon’s voice was low, his gaze intense.
It was true–Damon was handsome. Otherwise, how would he have had me wrapped around his finger before?
A voice called from nearby. “Damon, what are you doing here?”
Claire Bright ran over and clung to his arm. I saw him tense up, just barely, but I noticed.
It was my first close look at the woman who stole my future.
“Who’s this?” Claire’s eyes narrowed at me.
I smiled, “Callie Reid, Damon’s classmate.”
Claire’s face shifted slightly. “Didn’t you say you were going to get me some snacks?” So, they’d just happened to bump into each other.
Damon smoothly replied, “I forgot. You go home; I’ve got something to handle here.”
Claire’s voice sharpened. “Damon, what do you mean?”
He ushered her off, then turned back to me, his expression serious. “She’s just my mom’s friend’s daughter.”
“Why tell me?” I asked.
Damon’s tone was earnest. “I like you. I don’t want you to misunderstand.”
I felt a wave of revulsion. Here we go again.
11:25 AM
<
“Well, I don’t like you,” I shot back. “You make me sick.”
Damon’s face paled as he clenched his fists. “What did I do wrong?”
“Your face is ugly,” I snapped, starting to walk
away.
“Callie Reid!” he shouted after me. “I’m not giving up!”
I laughed coldly to myself. Only two days left. What could he possibly do?
