Old Dreams No Return (Serena) novel Chapter 9

9

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Mrs. Carter clutched the disconnected phone, her face draining of all color, utterly mortified.

Seeing her reaction, I actually stepped forward and gently took her arm. “Mrs. Carter, it’s really okay. My flight’s about to take off. Thanks for the thought, but since he’s busy, don’t worry about it. It’s not like it’s a big deal if he doesn’t see me off or anything.”

My parents quickly stepped in too, trying to smooth things over.

In the end, with the air thick with embarrassment and a lot of quiet sighs, my family said our goodbyes to the Carters and left for the airport.

The plane shot into the sky. Through the window, I watched the city I’d called home for eighteen years shrink and blur beneath us, until it was finally swallowed by the clouds. A strange calm settled over me.

I slowly closed my eyes.

Never again, Liam.

Meanwhile,

Liam, true to his word, went with Tiffany to NYU for her registration.

He helped her with her bags, got her dorm room squared away. He’d thought of everything.

“Liam, all finished up? Wanna go grab some food?”

Tiffany, now all settled, gave him a bright smile as she invited him.

“Nah, I’m beat. Just wanna head back and crash.”

Liam rubbed his temples, his tone a little flat.

He wasn’t sure why, but ever since Mrs. Carter’s call yesterday, a vague, restless annoyance had been simmering under the surface.

“Oh, okay then…”

Tiffany looked a little disappointed, but she didn’t push it.

Liam walked out of the girls’ dorm, the afternoon sun glaring down at him.

He stood under a tree, instinctively pulling out his phone and tapping open the chat that had been dead for ages.

The silent treatment had gone on long enough. Her anger had to have cooled.

He’d given her the cold shoulder for ages this time, even kissed Tiffany right in front of her. That had to have taught her a solid lesson.

It was time for her to make the first move, to bring up getting back together.

Imagining her face when she saw him – that mix of hurt and undeniable surprise, maybe even a little relief – a faint, almost imperceptible smirk, a hint of total control, played on his lips.

After this, she’d definitely think twice before ever throwing ‘breakup’ around again.

Only problem was, he didn’t actually know which dorm she’d been assigned to.

Realizing that, Liam tucked his phone away and headed straight for the freshman registration desk.

“Hi, could you look up which dorm building Serena Reed from the Dance Department is staying in?”

The senior student tapped a few things into her computer, then looked up, a puzzled frown on her face. “Uh, sorry, but I don’t see anyone named

Serena Reed on the freshman roster.”

The slight smile on Liam’s face froze.

“No?”

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