Obsessed

Chapter 48

"How can this be possible?"

"Keep reading the acceptance letter. Maybe it will explain."

"'Your educational expenses have been paid for by Mrs. Harper on the...'. My mum paid for my university tuition. On the date she died."

"Wow. This is amazing, Kyle. You're coming to Lingard! You can become an engineer or architect or mechanic or whatever you want now!"

"This is insane."

"It's-"

"I knew it. And this is proof."

"What?"

"It wasn't an accident. Universities don't just let anyone in. Lingard... she was head of Lingard for years. I told you it started with an L."

"Kyle, you're going to get the job you've always wanted and you're legitimately set for the future-"

"This was her goodbye." I step forward and hug him but he retreats backwards. "I've gotta figure this out. You should go to dinner without me."

"No, I can stay-"

"It's fine Kristen, really. I want to read over this." He drops the envelope on the floor accidentally and another note slips out. "This is handwritten." He stares at the note in shock.

"Alright. I'll give you some space. But are you still coming ice-skating tomorrow?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Ok. Call me if you need anything. Anything, Kyle. I'll make sure Toby isn't home too late."

"I don't need a babysitter. I'll be fine. I'm a grown man."

"Alright, alright." I sigh, "Bye." I walk out of the house.

Toby drives past and sees me. "Hey Bunny."

"Toby, hi! Umm, sorry to ask, but-"

"Hop in."

"Thanks." I get in the car.

"Take note of the pun." I laugh lightly. "I thought you were going with Kyle."

"He's busy."

"Oh well, his loss."

***

The ice-skating rink is freezing. Even with my knit sweater and denim jacket. Sierra really is queen of the ice. Dylan isn't too bad himself. Everyone else is skating averagely. Toby, Belinda and I are skating in a line around the rink and laughing at how Josh keeps slipping and Sierra keeps lifting him up.

Emma and Kyle are chatting on the side of the rink with Randy. Randy has made me paranoid. Every time I see them together I feel like they're having a secret affair. Toby skates off to talk to Dylan and Don so I voice my thoughts to Belinda.  "Do you think Kyle and Emma are...?"

"Of course not! But I can understand if you feel... threatened."

I know, I can't believe it either. Belinda and I are on a friend basis. Strange, insane and completely unexpected... but we're alright together. She's actually pretty cool.

"The three of them are always hanging out. I notice it too." Belinda says.

"I think Randy doesn't like me."

"No! He does. He just particularly likes Emma and Kyle together. When Emma is with Kyle, she doesn't look so depressed. Randy has realised that. He'll do anything so that Emma is happy."

"Even if it's at my expense."

"Sorry, but it's true.

We all catch up at the coffee shop inside the ice-skating building. We order some hot chocolates and sit together. We take up three tables. Toby has already had two hot chocolates. Dylan is having his third cinnamon roll. There is surprisingly a lot of food here.