Playing for Keeps: Finding Love Beyond the Lies - Chapter 114: Chapter 114
You are reading Playing for Keeps: Finding Love Beyond the Lies, Chapter 114: Chapter 114. Read more chapters of Playing for Keeps: Finding Love Beyond the Lies.
Life at The Harvey School was quiet, with time passing slowly.
Sometimes I'd fall into negative thought spirals, wondering why nobody loved me despite my accomplishments. My name had been a fixture on the Honor Roll for years.
Mom used to say when I was little, "Everyone loves a kid who gets good grades."
As I grew up, I discovered that teachers might appreciate good students, but my parents certainly didn't.
I studied quietly, waiting for tests and the SAT, no longer waiting for anyone else.
My grades skyrocketed. I ranked first in the entire city-wide academic league.
The sound of studying grew louder in the senior hallways. Everyone wished they could hit pause on time, slowing it down just a little more.
I hadn't seen Lucas again. It was as if I'd lost touch with all my old friends—though they were really Lucas's friends, not mine.
After summer break began, I didn't go back to that house. It was too close to the Brooks family home.
From the day I transferred to Harvey, my parents had only one rule for me. "Don't let Lucas see you. If you run into him, walk the other way."
I was seventeen now, and next semester I'd be a senior.
My parents never considered whether I might be anxious about my upcoming final year. They never cared about me at all.
Under the dim streetlights, I sat on a bench memorizing French tenses.
But it didn't matter. Every formula I wrote down, every word I memorized, every problem I solved would help me escape this place and carry me toward a brighter future.
People passed by, no one stopping for anyone else.
That afternoon, I left the library just as my phone rang. When I answered, there was only silence.
I frowned at the screen—no caller ID. "Hello?" I said tentatively.
Still nothing. I hung up without hesitation.
"Sophie." Caleb emerged from the gym across the way, waving and jogging over. "Want to grab dinner?"
I clutched my books, glancing at his friends shoving and laughing as they walked off. "I'm just gonna take something to go. You guys go ahead."
"Come on, you can't eat takeout every day. It's not healthy. Let me take you somewhere nice."
Before I could argue, Caleb grabbed my hand and pulled me along.
He led me into a French restaurant where everyone was dressed in formal suits and evening gowns. Even the waiters wore tuxedos.
I looked down at myself—oversized white tee, blue cutoff shorts. Caleb was still in his red-and-white basketball uniform. We couldn't have stood out more.
I tried to stop him. "Wait, seriously? Dressed like this?"
He blinked in confusion. "It's just a place to eat, isn't it?"
Hearing his straightforward response, I realized he had a point.
Before I could decide, a server came over with a professional smile. "Table for two?"
"Yes," Caleb nodded.
"Right this way, please." The waiter led us through the restaurant.
He took us directly to a window seat and asked, "Would you like to enjoy the view?"
Caleb raised his eyebrows at me. I checked the time—just after six. The sunset should be visible.
I nodded slightly.
Caleb smiled. "Perfect."
Sometimes I'd fall into negative thought spirals, wondering why nobody loved me despite my accomplishments. My name had been a fixture on the Honor Roll for years.
Mom used to say when I was little, "Everyone loves a kid who gets good grades."
As I grew up, I discovered that teachers might appreciate good students, but my parents certainly didn't.
I studied quietly, waiting for tests and the SAT, no longer waiting for anyone else.
My grades skyrocketed. I ranked first in the entire city-wide academic league.
The sound of studying grew louder in the senior hallways. Everyone wished they could hit pause on time, slowing it down just a little more.
I hadn't seen Lucas again. It was as if I'd lost touch with all my old friends—though they were really Lucas's friends, not mine.
After summer break began, I didn't go back to that house. It was too close to the Brooks family home.
From the day I transferred to Harvey, my parents had only one rule for me. "Don't let Lucas see you. If you run into him, walk the other way."
I was seventeen now, and next semester I'd be a senior.
My parents never considered whether I might be anxious about my upcoming final year. They never cared about me at all.
Under the dim streetlights, I sat on a bench memorizing French tenses.
But it didn't matter. Every formula I wrote down, every word I memorized, every problem I solved would help me escape this place and carry me toward a brighter future.
People passed by, no one stopping for anyone else.
That afternoon, I left the library just as my phone rang. When I answered, there was only silence.
I frowned at the screen—no caller ID. "Hello?" I said tentatively.
Still nothing. I hung up without hesitation.
"Sophie." Caleb emerged from the gym across the way, waving and jogging over. "Want to grab dinner?"
I clutched my books, glancing at his friends shoving and laughing as they walked off. "I'm just gonna take something to go. You guys go ahead."
"Come on, you can't eat takeout every day. It's not healthy. Let me take you somewhere nice."
Before I could argue, Caleb grabbed my hand and pulled me along.
He led me into a French restaurant where everyone was dressed in formal suits and evening gowns. Even the waiters wore tuxedos.
I looked down at myself—oversized white tee, blue cutoff shorts. Caleb was still in his red-and-white basketball uniform. We couldn't have stood out more.
I tried to stop him. "Wait, seriously? Dressed like this?"
He blinked in confusion. "It's just a place to eat, isn't it?"
Hearing his straightforward response, I realized he had a point.
Before I could decide, a server came over with a professional smile. "Table for two?"
"Yes," Caleb nodded.
"Right this way, please." The waiter led us through the restaurant.
He took us directly to a window seat and asked, "Would you like to enjoy the view?"
Caleb raised his eyebrows at me. I checked the time—just after six. The sunset should be visible.
I nodded slightly.
Caleb smiled. "Perfect."
End of Playing for Keeps: Finding Love Beyond the Lies Chapter 114. Continue reading Chapter 115 or return to Playing for Keeps: Finding Love Beyond the Lies book page.