6 Chapter 6
“That’s right, once you leave, you’ll be apart for four years. You used to get homesick for Leo after just a week at grandma’s…”
“Kira, why did you change your application without telling us?
“Kira, sweetie, are you having fun on your trip?
He was breathing heavily. I could feel his anger from across the world.
Before I could finish, Leonardo snatched the phone back.
“Don’t be too hard on him. When you get back, make him apologize to you properly.”
“That boy Leo, he keeps everything to himself. I only just found out you two had a fight.
When he didn’t get the answer he wanted, he asked again, “Think carefully. Don’t regret this later.”
And blocked the new number too.
They were still worried.
I hung up immediately.
“Auntie, I’m not planning on coming back for a party. My parents are busy, we’ll just celebrate as a family.
“Leonardo has a girlfriend now. It’s not right for me to be so close to him anymore.
“Mom, Dad, I need to have my own life. I don’t want to just be a part of his story.
Seeing the UCLA letterhead, my parents finally realized I had changed my college plans.
I couldn’t hang up on her, so I had to listen.
Mrs. Rossi had always been incredibly kind to me, like a second mother.
“Does Leonardo know? His mom was just asking this morning if your letter had come yet.”
After dropping that cold threat, he waited.
“Hey Kira, you’ve got some nerve, ditching me to go on a road trip for this long.
“So, please support my choice, and please keep it a secret for now.”
Maybe because we hadn’t talked in so long, his complaining tone sounded a little
unsure.
It turned out my acceptance letter had arrived at home.
“Oh, Leonardo’s acceptance letter came today. Yours should be there soon too. When are you coming back for Thanksgiving? Auntie has a surprise for you…”
They were shocked.
“Kira, I already swallowed my pride and called you. How much longer are you going to
be mad?
My parents looked at each other and were quiet for a long time, but finally, they agreed.
The more they talked, the more frustrated I got. I decided to tell them everything.
I had to go on and on about how great UCLA was, and that Sophie was going with me
so I’d have a friend.
There wasn’t much time before school started, and they wanted to spend it with me.
“Did you and Leo have a fight? Even so, you shouldn’t just pick a school so far away.”
After staring into space for a bit, I was about to go for a walk when video-called me.
my mom
“Honey, how can we not worry about you going to Los Angeles all by yourself?
Just as I was about to hang up, his mom, Mrs. Rossi, took the phone.
“If you don’t come back, don’t blame me for going to Seattle without you.”
They just asked me to come home soon.
“I probably won’t be back for a while. I’ll likely drive straight to campus for orientation…”
“Aren’t you terrified of the traffic and earthquakes? You’re brave enough for LA? Don’t be calling Dad to come help you parallel park.”
Dad also leaned into the frame, looking worried.
“If you don’t come back soon, summer will be over. Did you forget we were supposed to see the coast together?”
I was speechless.
“What if you change your mind in a few days and want to make up with him? Then what will you do?”
I still wasn’t in the mood to talk to him.
