Chapter 3: Goodbyes and Hidden Connections

Squatting by the entrance to the amusement park, a black Tesla Model X rolled up in front of us.

Its doors opened with that futuristic whoosh, and for a second, I half-expected someone famous to step out. The car’s headlights swept over us, making the pavement shimmer like a movie set.

I quickly pulled the little boy aside so he wouldn’t get hit.

A dignified, elegant woman stepped out, and the little boy launched himself into her arms like a cannonball.

"Mom!"

Even as the beautiful woman thanked me, I was still a bit dazed.

She wore oversized sunglasses and a cashmere wrap, the kind of mom who probably chaired the PTA and ran half-marathons for charity. Her smile was both warm and intimidating. I felt like I was being evaluated for a scholarship I didn’t apply for.

"Thank you, sweetheart. He said he wanted to meet a new friend today, and I was worried. I didn’t expect it’d be such a lovely, pretty girl."

"You’re welcome, Mrs. Jennings. I’m happy to meet... you, too."

After a whole day, I still didn’t know the little boy’s name.

Classic me—can recite every Mario Kart shortcut, but forget to ask the kid’s actual name.

As the woman and I chatted, the little boy grabbed my hand, looking at me with longing, a hint of grievance in his voice.

"Sis, will we meet again?"

Will we meet again?

Probably not.

I didn’t want to lie, but I didn’t have the heart to be blunt. So I just squeezed his hand and smiled, letting the silence speak.

As if he could read my mind, his eyes filled with tears.

He threw himself into my arms and started bawling.

He clung to me with all the desperation of a kid who thinks summer camp will last forever. My shirt collar was soon soaked with his tears and a little snot, but I didn’t mind. I held him until he calmed down.

The beautiful woman gave me an embarrassed smile.

"It’s late, and it’s not safe for a girl to be out alone. Let me give you a ride home, and you two can have a bit more time together."

Her tone left no room for argument. Besides, who was I to turn down a free ride in a Tesla? I nodded, a bit dazed.

After thinking it over, I accepted her offer and gave her my college’s name.

Her eyes lit up. "What a coincidence! My oldest son goes there, too."

"His name is Caleb Jennings. I wonder if you know him?"

I was a little surprised. I didn’t expect the cold campus heartthrob to be the little boy’s brother.

No wonder they both felt so familiar.

After getting out of the car, I thanked Mrs. Jennings. The little boy clung to me for ages before finally letting go.

He hugged me so tightly, I thought my ribs might crack. After the hug, I knelt down to his level and quietly promised, "You’re gonna make a great friend to someone, okay?" before ruffling his hair one last time. When he finally released me, I saw his eyes were red and puffy, but he tried to smile. I slipped through the campus gates.

In the end, I made it through the campus gates just before curfew.

At the entrance, I brushed past a group of students. Their conversation drifted over on the evening breeze.

"Yo, Caleb, wasn’t that the law school hottie getting outta your ride?"

A boy’s chilly voice replied, "Don’t know her. No idea."

I kept my head down, pretending not to hear, but my cheeks burned. I told myself it didn’t matter, but my heart thudded a little louder in my chest as I hurried toward the dorms.