Chapter 4

Skylar wasn't stunningly beautiful—at least, not to me.

She had a messy, short haircut, wore oversized cargo pants, and carried a worn-out crossbody bag. She always looked incredibly relaxed, like she didn't have a care in the world.

She stood at the front of the classroom on her first day, chewing gum like a movie rebel.

Before Mrs. Gable could even finish introducing her, Skylar interrupted. "Is that empty seat in the back mine?"

She didn't even wait for a nod. She just walked straight to the back row, threw her bag into the desk, put her head down, and went to sleep.

Everyone said Skylar looked like trouble. For her first week, nobody dared to talk to her.

Not that she cared.

During breaks, she played on her phone. During class, she slept.

I didn't know what her deal was, but all the teachers seemed to have a silent agreement to leave her alone.

Whether she slept, skipped homework, or cut class entirely, they just turned a blind eye.

One day on our walk home, I brought up Skylar to Ethan.

"Life really is unfair," I sighed. "The AP exams are right around the corner, and I feel like twenty-four hours a day isn't enough."

"But look at Skylar. She sleeps or plays on Snapchat all day. She doesn't worry about a thing. I’m so jealous of her."

Usually, when I complained like this, Ethan would encourage me.

He would say, "Don't worry about others. Just focus on your own path."

But this time, he actually agreed. "Yeah. I envy her too."

"She’s free. She does whatever she wants. Nobody is forcing her to go to Harvard."

"She’s so relaxed. No dress code, no constant studying, she doesn't even have to show up to class if she doesn't want to."

"She’s wild. The other day, I saw her climb the school fence with some guys. Her world is so colorful."

Ethan’s eyes literally lit up when he spoke about Skylar.

He whispered, "Chloe, I really envy her. I think... I want to try living like that."

At the time, I thought he was just venting, the same way I was.

I never imagined he didn't just want to dream about it. He wanted to live it.