To Be the Perfect Childhood Friend - Chapter 84

The final day of the semester had arrived. Anita went to the café where she worked and informed them that she wouldn’t be available during the vacation. She packed away items that didn’t seem suitable for a vacation and sent them off in a box.

What would her parents think if their daughter didn’t come back as expected and instead received a box filled with her belongings?

Having not seen her parents for a while, Anita had become bold and decided to inform them of her vacation plans with just a brief letter. Although it was short and lacked warmth, it was fine. By the time the letter and package arrived, she would be at Liliana’s villa.

After some consideration, Anita decided to include her report card in the package as well. It was a bit like bribery; with grades she was proud of, she hoped it would be a good enough reason for them to accept her plans.

Having finished preparing for the vacation, Anita dragged her heavy suitcase downstairs.

“Anita!”

As she saw Liliana waving at her in front of the dorm entrance, Anita felt no regret about her decision.

“Why?”

As Anita was descending the stairs with light steps, she suddenly froze, as if turned to stone. Liliana, noticing her unusual reaction, approached with a puzzled tone.

“Anita?”

She moved closer and waved her hand, but Anita’s gaze remained fixed on something behind Liliana, not shifting at all. Liliana, following her gaze, turned around and tilted her head in confusion.

“What’s wrong? Are you seeing a ghost or something?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Anita’s eyes were fixed on a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a roof. Her grip on her suitcase tightened.

“Come on, get in.”

“When was the last time this car was serviced?”

Jeff, the driver, approached to load Anita’s bag into the car. Despite his polite offer to take the bag, Anita’s grip on it remained firm.

“Hmm, when was it?”

Liliana looked at Jeff. The driver hesitated for a moment before answering.

“It was probably about three months ago. Why do you ask?”

“This car…”

Anita started to ask her question but stopped. Liliana and Jeff stared at her in confusion, and feeling awkward about keeping them waiting, Anita finally handed over her bag.

It should be fine.

Jeff, dressed in his distinctive black uniform, was not like Finian, who had no license. The car had been recently serviced, and the sky was clear with not a cloud in sight.

She couldn’t keep avoiding things like a scaredy-cat forever.

“What are you waiting for?”

Encouraged by Liliana’s urging, Anita took a step forward. To her own eyes, her steps felt awkward.

She walked hesitantly to the front of the car, grasped the handle, and took a long, deep breath. It wasn’t too late to turn back now. She could still head to the train station, buy a new ticket, and return to her hometown. Though she’d have to face Nathan, she could endure it as she always had.

Click.

Anita hadn’t done anything, but the door clicked open. Startled, she turned to see Liliana’s driver smiling and extending his hand.

“The step is high. Please take my hand to get in.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Without realizing it, she accepted his help and climbed into the car, making the doubts of the past few minutes seem trivial.

“If we leave now, what time will we arrive?”

“If we push it, we should make it within an hour.”

Anita nervously fidgeted with the windowless frame. Although she had ended up getting in, she felt she could still get out since they hadn’t started moving yet.

“Let’s go.”

At Liliana’s command, the car started moving forward. Anita’s hand, which had been idly playing with the frame, tightly gripped it as if it were a lifeline.

“Anita, are you okay? You look really pale.”

“I skipped breakfast. Maybe that’s why.”

“Oh dear.”

Liliana nodded in understanding and then turned her gaze away. After a moment, she called out to Anita again.

“Is it about what happened earlier?”

“Hmm?”

Anita felt a sharp pain in her stomach, as if it were twisted. To avoid showing her discomfort, she kept her gaze fixed out the window.

“You know, that crazy person who caused a scene.”

Liliana didn’t name Charles directly, as if the name itself was unpleasant to mention.

“Oh.”

The memory of that day, which Anita had barely managed to push aside, resurfaced. She could almost see Charles’s face as he thrust the broken glass toward her at the party.

“Well…”

It was nearly impossible now to ask Liliana to stop the car. Nobody likes to have their weaknesses exposed, and Anita was no exception.

She couldn’t use excuses like wanting to rest due to fatigue or having forgotten an important appointment as reasons to get out.

Anita didn’t want Liliana to think she had changed her mind because of the Charles Bennett incident. She didn’t want to see Liliana’s apologetic face.

“So, what happened to that guy?” 

Unfortunately, Anita was not in a state to provide an answer. The comfortable leather seats and the view of the sea outside the window did not interest her at all.

At that moment, a loud honking noise came from behind. To exaggerate, Anita thought a war had broken out.

Turning around with a pale face, she saw another car aggressively tailgating them.

“Lily! I thought you’d arrived already since you left earlier. You’re slower than expected!”

As Anita stared at the people in the following car, she finally recognized them. They were the same girls from the freshman orientation, though this time they wore scarves instead of their flashy pearl necklaces.

“You guys got here faster than I expected!”

Liliana leaned out of the window to respond. Although Anita knew Liliana was in no position to worry about others right now, she felt a strong urge to pull her back inside. What if she fell out of the car?

“We’re heading out now!”