going to ruin her son’s future. After yesterday, I think it will be the other way around. Those fucking people. They may have all of the money in the world. But they are empty vessels. I pity them,” she says in a voice dripping with disdain.
I told her about my humiliation on our walk home. She hadn’t said a word then, and I was glad. But, right now, I need answers. My mind is reeling. That man is my father? And he hasn’t wanted to know me?
“I don’t understand,” I whisper numbly.
“It’s simple,” she snaps. “Boys like him don’t ever take girls like you to parties like that. They don’t marry girls like you. All of that is for girls who come from good families. With mothers who are all members of the same club.”
“But… we were different. He made me promises.”
“Clearly he didn’t mean them. We’re leaving tonight.”
“Tonight? What? No,” I cry, the melancholy that has gripped me for the last two days clears, and I scramble off the bed to stand in front of her.
“Yes,” she says firmly.
“But… I don’t understand.” I look around my room and can feel all of the pieces of my life slipping from my grasp.
“I got a job in New York. My cousin Sabrina’s going to put us up until I find us somewhere to live. I start work on Monday, I need to enroll you in school. We have things to do. I know it’s sudden, but I also think it’s divine timing. One door was closing, and another one opens,” she says with manufactured enthusiasm.
“I don’t know what to say. I need to talk to Remi—”
At the mention of his name, her patience seems to snap.
She grabs my arms and rattles me slightly. Her eyes burn into mine.
“Don’t be a fool. His mother couldn’t have done any of that if he’d told you the truth. It’s better for you to have a broken heart now rather than live with a string of them your whole life. He’s one boy. You’ll meet others. Someone whose feet touch the ground. We can’t play on their level, Kal. I put all of those fool ideas in your head, but in truth, you’re no different than me. Forget this fantasy.”
I start to sob and sit back on my bed.
“Now, pack.” She points to the suitcases lined up at the door and walks out without saying another word.
The shock and humiliation of that evening have feasted on the sorrow that followed and now, I’m just numb.
She’s right, there’s nothing here for me.
So, I slide off my bed and start to pack my life up.
Again.
Chapter 14
GONE
REMI
* * *
The bookstore has been abandoned.
The books are still there. They look like they’re open for business, but the lights are off and the doors are locked.
I’ve been by every day this week and have finally accepted that they’re gone. Without a trace. Without a word. Everyone is shocked. The square is ablaze with chatter about them packing up their car and leaving in the middle of the night. Lister owns the store again, according to Regan’s intel.
I haven’t been this close to crying since the night I met her.
I’ve never felt more frustration and helplessness in my life. There’s an ache in my chest that has grown more and more acute every day.
I stroke the tiny box in my hand and shove it back into my pocket. I shouldn’t have waited to give it to her. I had the locket made just last week. A W is engraved on the front. Be Legendary engraved on the back.
The morning after the party, I went to To Be Read. Her mother refused to let me in. She had cut the trellis down after the first time I climbed it and threatened to call the police when I started throwing twigs at Kal’s window in hopes that she’d come talk to me.
I left. I didn’t want to make an already fucked-up situation worse. Surely, she would calm down after a few days and talk to me.
How wrong I’d been.
I haven’t slept well or been able to eat since that night. I’m sick with regret and now, fucking scared at the prospect of not ever seeing her again.
I’m also out of time. I’m leaving for school in a few days. and I haven’t even told my family that I’m heading to Washington, DC and not Austin.
I haven’t spoken to my mother since the night of the Gala. I blame myself more than anyone. I