Four Childhood Friends Played a Dare Game With Me. They Lied To Me—All For Her Chapter 04
Morning. The NASA car pulled up outside my house.
My parents were abroad for a project. They could only see me off over video.
Mom’s eyes were red-rimmed, “Are you sure we don’t need to come back?”
“The base doesn’t allow family.”
Dad held back tears, “Take care of yourself out there.”
“If anyone gives you trouble, tell your mentor. Don’t keep it in.”
My nose stung.
At least someone didn’t want me to go.
As for Damon and the others—
Last night, they were at Nina’s place, setting up her college celebration.
The group chat blew up all night.
Roman sent a photo of a wall of balloons.
[Elara, you’re the best at aesthetics. Come save us.]
Caleb replied, [She’s still sulking. Don’t spoil her.]
Julian posted a photo of a five-person cake.
[Give her two days in California. She’ll settle down. Then we’ll livestream it for her.]
I didn’t reply.
The receiving officer loaded my luggage into the trunk.
“Elara. Once you’re in the car, you enter confidentiality protocol.”
“Your phone and social accounts will be sealed. Anyone you need to contact?”
“No.”
I got in.
My phone buzzed.
Nina changed the group name from “The Five Forever” to “New York Five.”
Then a screenshot.
My nickname used to be “Little Princess.”
Now it was “California Internet Friend.”
Nina sent a giggling emoji.
[Just a random change. Elara won’t be mad, right?]
Roman replied instantly, [If she’s mad, she can crawl back from California to change it.]
Julian: a string of hahas.
Caleb said nothing. Liked the message.
Damon, last, [Fits.]
I looked at the screen. Felt almost nothing.
They didn’t know.
In ten minutes, I wouldn’t even be a “California Internet Friend.”
I left the group. Deleted all four contacts.
When I got to Damon’s, I paused. Two seconds.
His message came through.
[Stop sulking.]
[Come to Nina’s celebration tonight. Bring the video drive.]
An order.
He still believed I’d come running.
I didn’t answer. Deleted him.
The officer handed me a sealed bag.
“Turn off your phone. Put it in.”
“During the project, you can’t contact anyone. No one can trace you.”
I pressed the power button.
The screen went black. Eighteen years—cut off.
The black car pulled out of the neighborhood.
Outside the window, the linden tree we grew up under flashed past.
On the highway, I felt something in my pocket.
The four-leaf clover necklace. I’d worn it since I was a kid.
Yesterday I said it was Nina’s.
She saw my name engraved on it. Took a photo. Tossed it back in my bag.
Eighteen years. Not even a proper goodbye.
The driver said, “Once we leave New York, there’s no turning back.”
I rolled down the window.
Morning wind rushed in. Blew my hair wild.
I opened my palm. Looked at the necklace one last time.
Then let go.
It hit the road. A small, clear sound.
The car carried me past the New York border. Toward California.
Four thousand kilometers away.
I didn’t look back once.
By the time they noticed—I was already gone from their world.
