Chapter 9: Not Your Practice Girl Anymore

The next morning, Ava drove me to the airport.

My parents hugged me tightly before reminding me to call as soon as I landed in Boston.

Just as I was about to enter the security checkpoint, someone called my name.

"Cynthia!"

I turned around.

Ethan was running toward me, breathing heavily.

His usually neat clothes were wrinkled, and his eyes were bloodshot as though he hadn't slept all night.

"Please... don't go yet."

I remained where I was.

"I only need five minutes," he pleaded.

"Go ahead."

He took a deep breath before saying quietly, "I broke up with Sylvia."

"She admitted she only dated me because of my family's influence."

"After I confronted Lucas about what happened that night, he confessed everything."

"He admitted he encouraged me to treat your feelings like a joke."

"I've never hated myself this much."

I listened calmly without interrupting.

"Cynthia... I loved you."

"I was just too stupid to realize it until I lost you."

"Please come back."

"I'll transfer schools."

"I'll do anything."

I smiled faintly.

"Do you remember what you told Lucas?"

Ethan lowered his head.

"You said I was only practice before you pursued your dream girl."

"Back then, every word felt like a knife."

"Now those words don't hurt anymore."

"Do you know why?"

He slowly shook his head.

"Because I finally realized I was never a practice girl."

"I was simply loving the wrong person."

Tears rolled down Ethan's face.

"I'm sorry..."

"I know."

"But forgiveness doesn't mean going back."

I looked at the boarding gate behind me.

"MIT is waiting for me."

"A future I abandoned once is waiting for me."

"And this time, I'm choosing myself."

The boarding announcement echoed through the terminal.

"Passengers for Flight 217 to Boston, please proceed to Gate 12."

Ava gently squeezed my shoulder.

"It's time."

I nodded.

Before walking away, I looked at Ethan one last time.

"Goodbye, Ethan."

"I sincerely hope one day you become someone who deserves to be loved."

"But that person won't be me anymore."

Without another glance back, I walked through the boarding gate.

Ethan remained standing behind the glass wall, watching until I completely disappeared from sight.

For the first time in ten years, I wasn't walking behind him.

I was walking toward my own future.