This Multiple Choice Question Only Had Me As The Answer Chapter 02
Lately, my wisdom tooth had been hurting off and on, so I made an appointment to get it pulled.
My parents had to leave town for an unexpected business trip. The night before they left, they called Jordan, worried.
He promised he’d take care of me. He even called me himself to say, “I’ll pick you up tomorrow and go with you. Don’t be scared. I’ve got you.”
But now, with forty minutes to go until my appointment, he still hadn’t shown up.
I called him.
It rang for a long time before he picked up. In the background, I could hear Yvonne’s soft, soothing voice and a cat meowing.
“Sorry, Yvonne just rescued this stray cat and it fell off a cabinet. Its leg might be broken. She’s crying so hard she can hardly breathe. I have to help her take it to the vet.”
His voice was rushed, with a hint of irritation. “Can you reschedule? Can you just wait one more day? I promise I’ll go with you tomorrow.”
Yvonne’s cat mattered more than I did.
“Okay. Got it.”
I hung up. No questions. No complaints.
I called a rideshare and went to the dentist by myself.
There was a long line at the reception desk. I stood at the end, my left jaw throbbing.
When it was time to sign the consent form, the nurse glanced behind me. “Is your escort here?”
“It’s just me.”
“This is an impacted lower wisdom tooth. We’ll need to cut the gum and remove some bone. You might feel dizzy after the procedure. We recommend having someone with you.”
“It’s fine. I can handle it.”
I couldn’t help but laugh a bit after I said it.
It was a phrase I used a lot. Independent. Low maintenance. Nothing to worry about.
That’s how Jordan saw me, too. So of course he went to take care of someone else.
In the dental chair, the doctor gave me two injections of local anesthetic.
The moment the forceps clamped down on my tooth, I heard the crack of bone.
It hurt.
Anesthetic numbs your nerves. It doesn’t numb your heart.
I gripped the armrest, digging my nails into my palms. Tears came to my eyes from the physical pain.
But my mind grew clearer.
So this is what it feels like to have bone broken. It hurts. But it’s survivable.
And once it’s over, the rotten tooth is gone. Same goes for a toxic relationship.
Afterward, I kept the gauze in my mouth, held an ice pack to my cheek with one hand, and ordered another rideshare with the other.
By the time I got home, my parents had already come back early.
My mom took one look at me, then glanced behind me. “Where’s Jordan? Didn’t he bring you home?”
“He walked me to the door. I told him to go.” I was being vague.
My mom didn’t push, but her eyes were full of concern as she looked at my swollen face.
I knew I couldn’t hide it forever.
I took a deep breath, spit out the bloody gauze, and said, “Mom, Dad, there’s something I need to tell you. I didn’t apply to Ivy Coast. I applied to Liberty Military Academy.”
The living room went silent for a full thirty seconds.
My mom’s face was full of shock. “You’ve been talking about going to Ivy Coast with Jordan forever. Your scores are high enough. Why would you change it? Did something happen between you two?”
My thoughts drifted.
I remembered him getting bitten by a dog when we were kids because he was protecting me. I cried so hard. He just ruffled my hair and said, “Don’t be scared, Chloe. I’ll always protect you.”
I remembered the jokes our families made about us getting married someday.
And I remembered that, for a long time, he actually did treat me well. He spoiled me. He was always there.
Then Yvonne transferred to our school.
Everything changed.
When it rained, he gave her his only umbrella and told me to just run for it. I got soaked and ended up with a fever.
When we ate together, he’d slide my favorite BBQ ribs in front of Yvonne and say, “Yvonne loves these.”
I noticed. I just kept lying to myself, telling myself he was just softhearted. Not in love.
“Mom, Dad.” I looked at them, my eyes clear and certain. “We’re just friends. Ivy Coast was always his dream. Liberty Military Academy is mine.”
My dad was quiet for a long time.
Then he stood up, put a heavy hand on my shoulder, and his eyes glistened slightly. “Good. My daughter is going to serve her country in uniform. I’m proud of you.”
My mom hugged me, stroking my hair. “Chloe, whatever you decide, your father and I will always support you.”
At ten o’clock that night, Jordan texted me.
[Does your tooth still hurt? I got you that clam chowder you like from Harbor Kitchen. I’m downstairs. Come get it. I’ll take you to the dentist first thing tomorrow.]
After taking care of Yvonne’s cat, he thought of me. Too late.
I didn’t go downstairs.
I just replied: [Already got it pulled. Keep the chowder.]
Then I put my phone on silent, tossed it on the table, and looked out the window.
The moonlight was beautiful. My face was still swollen.
It hurt.
But what needed to be pulled was gone.
