Page 61 of Love Me Not

“Not even the latest generation.And they look used,” she said with a huff.“What kind of boyfriend gives her his hand-me-downs?”

“That’s what I said!”Bella replied, placing them on the table so she could resume eating.“Like, he only gave them to her because he got a new pair for his birthday, and he wanted to seem all cool and stuff because Mason and Penelope give each other gifts all the time.They’ve been together like the whole year.”

“I’m losing her with all the names,” Lucas whispered, and Lux looked to me for an explanation as well.

“The popular couple,” I said.“They put on a big show.Always hug and hold hands.”

Lux nodded.

“I see.So Kinsley’s boyfriend wanted to one-up them but failed miserably.What’s his name even?”

Bella shook her head.“Not important.He’s annoying anyway.He never wanted to hang out with Kinsley, and he was always running and playing soccer and getting sweaty.It’s so gross.”

We all let out a laugh, enjoying Bella’s gossip session.Lux, Lucas, and I would chime in here or there asking questions, and she would prattle off everything she knew.

It was a cute bonding moment for Bella and Lux.Like they finally had something in common.

When dinner was over, Bella went outside to play, and we stayed seated, sipping our mint lemonade.

“So you never did say,” Lux started, turning to face Lucas.“Which school did you decide on?”

Lucas visibly tensed and took a long sip before answering.

“I haven’t really decided, you know?There were a few that sent me some letters, but I just haven’t committed to any yet.”

“What’s holding you back?”Lux asked, but I already knew the answer.Tuition.

I didn’t know what scholarships they were offering, but I was almost positive they would not cover the full cost.

Lucas looked a bit uncomfortable, like he wanted to say something but was fighting with himself on whether he should.Maybe bringing him to a stranger's house wasn't the best way to celebrate this big win.

Lucas liked to keep to himself.Ever since he was younger, he started slowly becoming more and more introverted.He probably didn't want to talk about all the schools that had sent him letters that he might decline because of financial hardships.

He knew what my situation was, but not what kind of relationship Lux and I had, so maybe it was just making him uncomfortable.I was getting ready to jump in, but then he spoke.

“I just… Okay, don’t kill me, Jules.”

Panic immediately rose in me.He only called me Jules when he had really bad news.I sat up straight, my nails digging into my palms.

Don’t tell me…

“I just… don’t think I’m a college person.I don’t really wanna go.”

My world crashed around me.

For other people, it might have been something really simple.They might not even have blinked at what he said.They would probably ask a few questions, but overall, they would support him, give some kind words, and move on.

But I was different.Lucas was supposed to be different.

And it totally caught me off guard.Because the boy I knew growing up wanted college.He even had a list of his favorite schools on a sheet inside his desk.One he looked at almost every day.

And now he was saying he didn’t want to go?

It had to be because of money.Nothing else made sense.

I gritted my teeth, unable to believe what I was hearing.He had worked so hard to get all his grades up.I knew he didn’tloveschool, but this was different.This was college.And given how we had grown up and the importance of an education, I was positive he would want to go.

“But you seemed so excited to know you got accepted,” I said, my voice quiet.“You texted me…"

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