Chapter 15
Late August, new student orientation.[]
I volunteered as a senior mentor for freshmen.
Looking at those nervous faces reminded me of myself a year ago.[]
Back then I thought getting into Stanford would change my destiny.[]
Now I know fate isn’t that easy to change.
I was handing out flyers when someone called my name.[]
“Raven
I turned around–some girl I didn’t know.[]
“Who are you?”
I’m your reader!” She was bouncing with excitement. “Bittersweet! I’ve read ALL your stories!“[]
I froze: “How do you know…”
“Someone on the school forum exposed you.” She looked conspiratorial. “Said you’re both a Whitmore heiress AND a famous online writer.“[]
I sighed.
So much for keeping that secret.[]
“Raven, can we take a selfie?“[]
“Not really convenient…“[]
“Please! Just one!“]]
I reluctantly agreed.[]
e.]
But word spread fast. More and more people surrounded me.
“It really IS Bittersweet!“]]
“Oh my God, a celebrity at our school!”
I was trapped in the middle, couldn’t move.[]
Then someone reached through the crowd and grabbed my hand.[]
“Excuse me, coming through.”
It was Mason.]]
He protected me as we pushed through the crowd, running all the way to the parking lot.[]
“Thanks.” I was breathing hard.[]
“Didn’t know you were so popular.” He smiled.[]
“Total accident.”
“Not an accident.” He was serious. “You earned it.“[]
This semester I double–majored, adding Literature to my original program.[]
Heavy course load, but I liked staying busy.
When I’m busy, I don’t overthink everything.[]
One weekend, Mom called: “Raven, come home for dinner?“]
Chapter 15
I hesitated: “Okay.“]]
This was my first time back at the Whitmore house since Ms. Johnson died.]
Everything looked the same, except all traces of Savannah were gone.]
They’d replaced her photos with mine–shots from my Stanford acceptance day.[]
At dinner, Mom kept piling food on my plate.[]
“You’re too skinny. Eat more.“]
Dad asked about my classes.[]
Mason and I talked about my new story ideas.[]
Really warm, really normal.[]
If I could ignore the emotional walls in my head.[]
After dinner, Mom pulled me upstairs.
“Raven, Mommy made you a room.“]]
She opened a door to this huge, bright bedroom.]
Pink wallpaper, white furniture, massive bookshelf packed with books.
“You like it?” She looked at me hopefully.
“It’s nice.”
“SO… V
will you move back home?“]
m.“[
I shook my head: “I’m used to living on my own.”
Her face fell.]
“But,” I added, “maybe I could stay over sometimes.”
She lit up immediately.[]
out.[
In November, my third book came ou
The publisher threw a small signing event.[]
I was shocked when the whole Whitmore family showed up.
After the signing, Mom bought twenty copies, said she was giving them to relatives and friends.[]
“I want everyone to see how amazing my daughter is.“[]
I felt awkward: “You don’t need to buy so many…“]
“Yes I do.” She insisted.]
Mason drove me home after.[]
On the way, he said: “Mom and Dad have really changed.“[]
“I know.”
“So you…”
“Mason,” I looked out the window, “some hurt takes time to heal. You can’t just flip a switch.“[]
“I get that.” He sighed. “We missed out on too much.“[]
December, finals season. This time I came in second.[]
First place went to some guy named Ethan Rodriguez–total science genius.]
ww
Chapter 15
When Mason found out, he was actually annoyed: “How’s someone gonna beat you?”
I cracked up: “People are better than other people. It’s normal.“[]
“No way. Next time you’re getting first back.“[]
“Are you my brother or my competition?”
The words just slipped out. We both froze.[]
First time I’d called him brother without thinking [
His eyes got watery: “What did you just call me?“[]
“Nothing.” I tried to walk away.
He grabbed my arm: “Say it again.“[]
“Please.”
I gave in: “…Brother.”
He grinned like an idiot.[]
That night he posted: [My sister called me brother!]]
With a sneaky photo of me walking away.[]
I wanted to make him delete it, but seeing how happy he was, I just let it go.[]
Right before Christmas, Mom got sick and ended up in the hospital.[]
