"I need to stop thinking about this," I say firmly. "He's just a project partner. After this semester, I'll never have to deal with him again."
"You're both Business majors. You'll have classes together for two more years."
"Then I'll transfer."
"You're not transferring. You love it here." Ivy tells me, and she's right. I do love it here. Love my friends, my classes, and the life I've built.
I won't let Ethan take that from me too.
My phone buzzes. Email from Ethan with the subject line: "Competitive Analysis - Draft 1"
I open it reluctantly. He's already done his section of the research. Twelve pages of thorough, well-reasoned analysis.
There's a note at the end:
I meant what I said yesterday. I am sorry. For more than you know. -E
I stare at the note for a long time.
Then I close my laptop without responding.
Because I don't know what to say. Don't know if I want to accept his apology or throw it back in his face. Don't know if understanding what happened would make it better or worse.
All I know is that Ethan Zhang is under my skin again and I have no idea how to get him out.
Chapter 6
Ethan
She didn't respondto my email.
It's been two days, and the read receipt shows she opened it, but no reply. No acknowledgment of my apology beyond cold silence.
I deserve that. Deserve worse, probably.
But it still hurts.
Friday afternoon, I'm in the library working on my section of our project when Chelsea appears.
"Ethan! Hi. Can I sit?"
I gesture to the empty chair across from me. "Sure."
She sits, all bright smiles and obvious interest. "I've been wanting to talk to you. Ask you something, actually."
"Okay."
"There's a party tomorrow night at my sorority house. I was wondering if you'd want to go? With me?"
She's asking me out. It's clear and direct and exactly the kind of normal college interaction I should be having.
"I don't really do parties."
"Oh." Her face falls slightly. "That's too bad. I thought maybe we could get to know each other better. Since you're new and everything."
I should say yes. Should go to the party, flirt with Chelsea, prove to myself and to Ivy I'm moving on.
"Maybe another time."