16
Learning that we had taken a bus to get there, Caleb drove us back to school.
The principal had already received news of our championship.
The principal had already received news of our championship.
He and the teachers were waiting at the entrance to welcome us.
As soon as we stepped out of the car, the principal, beaming, handed me an envelope.
“Anya, you’ve brought such honor to our school! This is the school’s reward for you.”
I opened it and saw about thirty thousand dollars.
“This is just the money I advanced for expenses, Principal. You’re a bit stingy, aren’t you?”
The principal’s old face flushed.
A teammate chimed in.
“Yeah, we all worked hard! Don’t we get anything?”
“Just give ours to Anya too. Anya paid for everything during the competition these past few days.
The principal let out a dry laugh.
“Alright, alright, everyone gets something.”
I glanced at Caleb next to me and said to the principal.
だか
Aw
“Principal, look, I led everyone to win the competition. Can I stay in the dorms during winter break?”
The principal paused, his face full of difficulty.
“It’s not that I’m heartless, but the water and electricity are turned off during winter break. The dorms are uninhabitable.”
Mr. Harrison, my homeroom teacher, looked confused.
“Anya, do you have nowhere to stay? Where are your parents?”
I looked down, silent.
My teammate, knowing my situation, put an arm around my shoulder.
“Anya, come on! Stay at my place! You can spend Christmas with my family this year.”
I looked at her gratefully, but didn’t say yes.
Caleb’s cool voice finally broke the silence.
“No need for anyone to worry. Anya is coming home with me!”
Mr. Harrison frowned, staring at Caleb.
“Anya, you’re a good student, but you can’t be getting into early relationships!”
Caleb cleared his throat.
“Anya’s mom works at my house, so… *cough*… I’ll take her to see her mom.”
After packing my luggage, I got into Caleb’s Maybach.
Caleb didn’t take me home.
Instead, he drove to a small house.
“I know you don’t want to see them. This house belonged to my mother. It’s cleaned regularly, and it’s not far from my place. Stay here, don’t
9:15 AM
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“I know you don’t want to see them. This house belonged to my mother. It’s cleaned regularly, and it’s not far from my place. Stay here, don’t worry, and call me if you need anything.”
Looking at the familiar house, I took a deep breath, barely managing to hold back the pang in my heart.
In my last life, after we confirmed our relationship, Caleb brought me to this very house.
Every month when he returned to the country, we would meet here.
No one knew this place better than me.
And no one understood the meaning of this house more than I did.
I turned to Caleb.
“Why are you so good to me?”
“Huh?”
Caleb’s cheeks flushed slightly, and he stammered.
“Uh… we have… a connection… I can’t just abandon you. Consider it a congratulations for winning the championship.”
I put my hands behind my back, stood on my tiptoes, and leaned my face close to his, my eyes almost touching his.
“Isn’t it because you like me?”
Caleb’s breathing hitched, his ear tips turned crimson, and he instinctively took two steps back.
“You… I… need to rest.”
Caleb fled in a hurry.
I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Sixteen–year–old Caleb was so easy to tease.
