Chapter 3

3

Joy looked stunned, her eyes wide.

She probably never thought I'd stop chasing her after fifteen years.

She wouldn't stop me, I stopped giving a damn.

I sneered and went back to my room, packed my bag, and left for the night.

Behind me, I heard my dad yelling.

"You little shit!"

And Joy crying.

I laughed to myself.

Crying? Over what?

She always hated me, always found me annoying.

I left her alone, just like she wanted. Why was that so hard?

I took a cab to the train station.

There were no flights that night. But even if I had to take a train, I couldn't stand to see Joy again.

No sleeper cars available, so I got a seat.

It was a long night, but worth it.

I got to the University, rented a room nearby.

After a quick clean up, I went to explore the school.

Breathing in the air, I felt amazing.

The first day without Joy, and I already felt better. It would only get better.

I spent the next few days learning about the campus.

I met an upperclassman.

She knew I was just waiting for the admission letters, and was impressed that I came so early.

If I hadn't gotten in, I still would have stayed in Indiana.

I filled out my application with all Indiana universities.

Even if it was a community college, I wouldn't have gone back to New York.

The upperclassman was nice, taking me out, buying me food, showing me around.

I caught a cold from the change in climate, and she brought me medicine.

The landlady knew I was far from home, and always sent me food.

In a month, I felt how warm Indiana was.

And made me even more sure of my choice.

Soon, the letters were sent.

Of course, I got accepted. I asked the upperclassman out to dinner.

I rode up to the gates with my new moped.

The upperclassman bought me a drink, and after some chatting, I was ready to take her for some dinner.

Suddenly, the upperclassman smiled at me, "Do you have a girl?"

I blinked, then shook my head.

"No, I'm the singleist single there is."

She pointed across the street.

"There, she came."

I looked to where she pointed.

"That girl has been standing there looking at you for a while, looks like she knows you."

It was Joy.

"What do you want."

I didn't try to hide the anger.

Joy eyed the upperclassman, and said, "I wanted to see you, and was afraid you wouldn't eat. I brought you some food."

She gave me the thermal container.

I laughed.

She cared?

That couldn't be real.

The upperclassman crossed her arms, "So she is your girl? Coming all the way here?"

I shook my head.

"She isn't my girl, just an old friend that I grew up with."

Joy was stunned, and dropped the container.

I didn't care, and said to the upperclassman, "Let's go eat."

I went to go with her when Joy grabbed my hand and pulled me away.

"What are you doing!"

I pulled away, and she fell, cutting her knee.

She hissed, and I could see she was hurting.

She didn't say anything, and stood up to grab me again.

I had no idea where she got the strength, but she dragged me to a tree.

I pulled away, and said, "Joy, that's enough. Was what I said last time not clear? I won't bother you again, you can go back to New York in peace, why are you here?"

Joy looked at me with tears in her eyes.

"Chad, you weren't like this last time. Why are you like this now?"