Chapter 96

Fifteen years ago

Charlotte and I strolled back home from Westlake High, bantering about our day at school. It was her birthday, and everyone at school had left her confectionery and sweet letters in her locker in celebration. I had not given her her gift yet as I set it to be a surprise, pretending as I had forgotten it. She did not seem concerned about it, and if she did, she was camouflaging it with the happiness she felt.

“Think you could share that bar with me?” I asked her as she unwrapped a bar of dark chocolate. She looked at me sternly, totally ignoring my plea and biting into it. “Ouch!” I feigned pain. She had every reason to be upset with me as best friends did not forget each other’s special day, but I had her gift planned, and telling her about it would spoil the surprise.

“What, Lucas?” she asked with an angry tone laced in her voice.

“I have never thought of you as a selfish being. Why would you have the entire chocolate while I have no sweet thing in my mouth? That’s