Chapter 31: Whatsapp chat

Milie's POV

Sammy's "one-night plan" turned into a full-blown two-day mystery. Of course it did.

He planned everything himself and refused to share a single detail: no names, no confirmations—nothing.

Dax and I had clearly told him we didn't need extra people. He just smiled and said a few might join.

That few already had a face in my head.

There was this girl from another class he'd been flirting with for weeks. I was sure she'd be there.

What I didn't know was everything else.

Saturday, 5 a.m. The sky was still half-asleep, but my house wasn't.

"Milie," Dad said, arms folded, giving me that look, "no getting tipsy like last time. And no creative ideas for fun."

I blinked. "I don't have creative ideas."

Mom laughed from behind him. "You absolutely do."

I shut my eyes for a second. "Are they both awake for this?"

"No need to worry about me. You take good care of yourself." I wrapped my arm around his, leaning into him. For a second, I almost said it—

If you need anything, call Alan.

But the words stopped somewhere in my throat.

He kissed my forehead. "I want you to have fun. Not to worry about us."

"No emotional talks this early, please," I muttered.

My phone buzzed.

Sammy: Be there in 5.

"Saved," I exhaled. "They're here."

I hugged them both quickly and stepped out, Mom still shouting last-minute instructions behind me.

I smiled despite myself. No matter how much we argued, we always circled back.

I stood on the pavement, a little away from the house, eyes scanning the empty road.

Excited, curious, and weirdly restless.

I pulled out my phone to call Dax when—

"Boo."

I gasped, my hand flying to my chest. I slowly turned, and everything inside me just stopped.

"Alan?"

For a second, I genuinely thought I was imagining him.

Because every time I wanted to run into him, he never showed up.

And today, when I wasn't even thinking about him, he was right there.

My heart flipped, then flipped again, completely out of rhythm.

He smelled like citrus. Annoyingly better than anyone I remembered.

"Wow," I whispered before I could stop myself. "You scared me."

He smirked slightly. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Maybe I did," I shot back, trying to recover. "What are you doing here? Going somewhere?"

"Yes," he said. "Didn't you know?"

I let out a dry laugh. "Of course I didn't. You don't exactly update me about your life."

His gaze sharpened just a little. "Were you expecting me to?"

"Great. Fantastic. Why would you say that, Milie?" I slapped myself internally.

I crossed my arms. "No. I'm just saying I'm not god that I would know Alan has some plans."

"Hehehe… Sammy didn't tell you?" He said, casually.

My stomach dropped. "Tell me what?"

"That I'm coming on the trip."

"Huh?" I froze. "With us?"

He met my eyes this time. "Yeah, Sammy probably told you."

I stared at him as he'd just said something illegal.

"What is wrong with both of you?" I snapped. "He invited you, and you just agreed?"

Something shifted in his expression. It wasn't loud. It wasn't dramatic.

But I felt it. He looked away. His jaw tightened, and suddenly I knew I'd said it wrong.

"Alan…" I exhaled, my words careful now. "Maybe you shouldn't come."

"I'll handle Sammy," I added.

He nodded once. Still not looking at me.

"Have fun," he said and walked away.

"Alan, I'm sorry—" I said behind him.

He didn't stop, didn't even glance.

I stood there, watching him go, my chest tightening in a way I couldn't explain.

"Why do I always do this? Why is hurting him the only thing I'm consistent at?"

Because the truth was simple, taking him meant risking Daxton and, in turn, hurting Alan even more.

"Where's Alan? Did he come?" Sammy's voice snapped me from behind.

I pointed in the direction Alan had gone, still not fully present.

"What did you do?" he asked.

That was enough. I turned and hit his arm, shoulder, and chest.

"All because of you!" My voice cracked. "I have to hurt him. Why would you invite him?"

Tears blurred my vision before I could stop them. Sammy didn't soften. If anything, he got angrier.

"Oh my God," he ran a hand through his hair. "You did it again."

Then he shoved his phone into my hand.

"Read this," he said sharply. "And don't expect him to forgive you this time."

He then rushed towards Alan's home. My hands trembled as I looked down at the screen.

Sammy's and Alan's chat? My eyes instantly scrolled through it.

Sammy: Thanks for the game. And for forgiving my idiot friend.

Alan: No one could resist her.

My throat tightened.

Sammy: Then why agree to stay away from her?

Alan: Because that keeps her happy.

Sammy: What about you?

Alan: I'll be fine.

I blinked hard. The words blurred. Something inside me cracked quietly.

Alan: I like her more than anything. Her happiness matters more.

As I scrolled further, it only got worse.

I found out that he had asked about me almost every day.

How was I doing? If I'd said anything. If I'd asked about him.

He had seen me. Three times. And still didn't come up to me.

Because he didn't want to "pressure" me. Because he thought distance would make things easier for me.

"Milie?"

Daxton's voice came from somewhere behind me.

I didn't look up. I couldn't. Not when my chest felt this tight.

"Alan?" Dax's tone changed instantly.

I lifted my head. Alan and Sammy were walking back to the car.

Dax took a step forward. I grabbed his hand immediately.

"Don't," I said.

"What?" he frowned. "Milie, he can't just—"

"Please." My grip tightened.

"I've already messed this up. Don't make it worse."

He looked at me, searching. Then exhaled sharply and stepped back.

"Guys, come on!" Sammy called. "We're getting late."

Dax looked away, jaw clenched. Then nodded once and walked ahead.

I followed, still holding everything inside.

When we reached the car, everything clicked. Tessa. Emma. Alan.

It was not just a trip; Sammy had staged everything.

I greeted the girls with a forced smile and slipped Sammy's phone into my pocket. I hadn't finished reading.

Alan was already seated by the window. Emma sat right next to him, too close, way too close.

I clenched my jaw slightly.

"Do I have to deal with this the whole trip?" I murmured.

"Sammy, if you already planned everything, why not assign seats too?" Dax said sharply.

Sammy ignored the tone. "I kinda wanna sit with Tessa. One of you take the front? We can shuffle later."

"I'll go," I said quickly, reaching for the front door.

I just wanted space and time to read the rest.

But Dax caught my arm. "No. You sit back."

Then to Sammy, "You sit where you planned."

"Bro, don't start again," Sammy groaned.

I looked between them, then at Dax, softening my voice. "Please."

He exhaled. "Fine. I won't ruin your trip."

"Thanks, boss," Sammy grinned, hopping in.

Dax adjusted the seat and motioned for me to get in. I slid into the middle row, next to Emma.

I glanced at Alan. He didn't look at me, as if I didn't exist.

It hurt me, but I believed I deserved it.