Chapter 1The Debt of a Life

Severe weather approaching, heavy rainstorm. I was trapped in the classroom unable to go back, waiting for Lucas to pick me up.

Half an hour later, I couldn't wait, walked down myself, but heard Lucas on the phone at the corner:

"I know, I'll bring her back! It wasn't me who asked her dad to save me back then, I don't owe her anything!"

"On what grounds does she guilt trip me!"

My heart clenched tight. If I could, I would rather my dad didn't save him back then, so I wouldn't have to live under someone else's roof.

That night, I submitted my application for Teach For America, completely staying away from Lucas.

* * *

An hour after I returned, Lucas's car finally stopped in the yard. He rushed upstairs angrily.

"Riley, why didn't you wait for me tonight!"

Lucas's voice came from outside the door. I put away my dad's photo, said lightly: "I waited for half an hour."

Lucas stood at the door, a trace of impatience flashing across his face, "Rain caused traffic jam, couldn't you wait a bit longer!"

"What's good about interning at that broken school, come to our family company later!"

I didn't agree, "Got it."

I don't want to tell him about the teaching program yet.

"Too late, I'm resting, go back to your room if nothing else!"

I got up pushing him out of the room. Lucas's face was ugly, grabbed the door frame, "Riley, High School Reunion day after tomorrow, let's go together!"

High school reunion, thinking of that group of people, I felt a chill in my heart.

Before I could speak, he wrote my name in his phone.

"I signed you up."

"I'm not going." For the first time, I refused, snatching his phone to delete my name.

"Lucas, I won't go. Those are your bros, your friends, nothing to do with me!"

"My life, doesn't need your guidance!"

Hearing this, Lucas was stunned, then sneered, "Fine! I'm just meddling!"

"No need!" I took a deep breath, "No need for you to manage me anymore, I am not your burden, nor your responsibility!"

Responding to me was the loud bang of him slamming the door.

Looking at Dad's photo on the desk, my heart was mixed with flavors.

When I was six, Lucas fell into the water. Flash flood broke out, his family was camping by the river, too late to escape.

Lucas was swept into the water. My dad happened to pass by, jumped down to save him without hesitation.

Resulting in his own physical exhaustion, swept away by the flood. When found, he was already bloated beyond recognition.

I lost my father since then. The Sterling family heard I became an orphan, so they adopted me.

Lucas took care of me everywhere. We grew up together inseparable.

Even his bros said I was his little wife!

Now he says I guilt trip him. If I could, I would rather he died in that flood.

That way, I wouldn't have to fall asleep looking at Dad's photo every night.

As for the reunion he mentioned, I saw it in the group chat long ago.

That group of people, rumored back in school that my dad knew his family was poor, exchanged his death for my chance to cling to the Sterling family.

At that time I rushed up and beat one of them till head bleeding, crying heart-tearingly, preferring punishment over apologizing.

It was Lucas who got surveillance to restore truth. Finally the rumor monger apologized to me, but I didn't want to forgive.

Because he was Lucas's good bro. When they said these words, Lucas agreed in his heart too, right!

I quit the group chat, checked application materials again and again, clicked send.

Soon Senior Sarah called me.

"Riley you agreed? Lucas also agreed?"

Sarah met Lucas before. Hearing her words now, I smiled: "Sarah, he is not anyone to me, I make my own decisions, it's okay."

On the other end Sarah sighed silently, finally said: "Okay, all smooth, see you day after tomorrow."

"Mm, thanks Sarah."

Hung up phone, I scanned the room, packed luggage a bit.

Since going to teach, I never thought of coming back. Some things, throw away if can't take!

That night I slept uneasily. Moment dreaming Dad looking at me in water, moment dreaming Lucas stepping on Dad. I woke up crying.

When woke up it was almost dawn, lost sleepiness, got up downstairs. Lucas's mom Mrs. Sterling was already downstairs.