He Used Me as Practice for Her Chapter 07
Ethan never contacted me again.
Maybe he really meant what he said about giving me space to cool off.
Thankfully, Grandma hadn’t broken anything. Just a mild sprain.
After bringing her home, I spent the next few days mostly staying in my room.
Then Chloe posted on Instagram.
It was a sunrise hiking photo. Just two silhouettes standing at the top of a mountain trail.
Even from the back, I recognized Ethan instantly.
Her caption read:
[Some people really do make the perfect shoulder to lean on. When I got too tired to climb, he carried me the rest of the way.]
This time, she didn’t even bother hiding who it was aimed at.
Half our classmates liked the post.
Ethan did too.
The comments were even worse.
[If the guy’s this good, just date him already, queen.]
[Which lucky bastard got to carry our gorgeous cheer captain up a mountain?]
[Careful, Chloe. Don’t let some trash guy play you.]
Chloe replied:
[Relax. He’s not trash.]
How embarrassing.
I deleted both of their contacts.
Then I changed my number.
A week later, carrying my acceptance packet from Viremont University along with two heavy suitcases, I headed to the airport.
And ran straight into Ethan and Chloe at security.
Of course I did.
Chloe spotted me first.
Ethan was busy looking for seats near the gate, so she strutted over with a smug little smile and deliberately lifted her wrist.
The silver four-leaf clover bracelet sparkled under the terminal lights.
“Thanks for working part-time for two years to buy this for me,” she said sweetly. “I won first place at state piano finals while wearing it. Guess it really brought me luck.”
I didn’t answer.
But she kept blocking my path.
Then she pointed toward Ethan, who still had his back turned to us.
“You curious about the bracelet Ethan’s wearing?” she asked with a laugh. “He bought some cheap knockoff to fool you. Did he tell you he took mine back? God, Charlotte, you’re seriously too easy to
trick.”
I grabbed her wrist before she could wave it around again.
Then yanked the bracelet off hard.
“Hey!” Chloe shrieked. “What the hell?! That hurt!”
A red mark instantly appeared across her pale skin.
The bracelet snapped in half in my hand.
Hearing the commotion, Ethan rushed over.
Like nothing had happened, he reached for my suitcase naturally.
“Come on,” he said. “There are seats closer to the gate over there. We can all sit together.”
My voice turned cold.
“No thanks. We’re not going the same way.”
He froze.
Then his eyes landed on the broken bracelet in my palm.
With a tired sigh, he said, “Charlotte, stop overthinking. It’s not what
I shook my head and lifted my boarding pass.
“No. I mean we literally aren’t going the same way anymore.”
“And this?” I glanced at the broken bracelet. “I don’t want it either.”
I tossed the bracelet into the trash can beside us.
The bracelet.
And you.
I didn’t want either one anymore.
Then I turned and walked toward the opposite boarding gate.
