this is a never-seen-before chapter (as in this never appeared in 2013 draft and in the 2014 book version) so go comment to your heart's content lol

also, warning: this chapter may be short, but it contains 80% sugar

ღ Finding Cinderella- 45 ღ

"T, I'm scared."

"Why?"

"Because I'm going to Imperial, and you're going to MIT."

"I am, too. It's more than three thousand miles away. Who knows what kind of fight you'll be getting yourself into there."

"Hey, I'm not a juvenile delinquent!"

"What about that time when you knocked out someone's tooth?"

"Oh my God. Did my mom tell you about it? Well, that kid deserved it, anyway. He was a pervert. Wait, wait, we're going off-topic here. Go back."

"Look, Kylie, if you're scared of the possibility of me finding someone else because we're so far away, don't be. I'd have to be really stupid to replace you with any girl."

"But you'll definitely find someone better than me at your school."

"Come on, it's an engineering school. The male-female ratio is somewhere along the lines of eight is to one. Besides, according to the census, engineering students have too much homework to look for dates. Oh yeah, this reminds me of what my dad said to me—that he almost didn't recognize my mom after he got out of his exams."

"Are you trying to scare me more than I already am? What if we'd be too busy to Skype call or even have a little chat? What if we wouldn't get the chance to come home for the holidays? The time difference is a bummer, too."

"Never thought you'd be the type to worry so much about this. You'd usually just deal with it. Whatever will be, will be."

"You're my first, and this is my first. Cut me some slack."

"It'll work out, Kylie, I promise."

"It's not wise to promise such as a thing, T. It's like we're shooting for the moon here."

"Then what do you think is the wise thing for us to do?"

"...nothing, really. I'm sorry for venting out like this."

"No, you can tell me."

"I really want to go to my dream school and get the career I want, but at the same time, I want us—every one of us—to stay here together and just have fun, you know?"

"I understand you."

"I hate this growing up thing sometimes. But we don't have much choice, do we? We can't ask each other to stay, not when we're both close to reaching our dreams. That would be selfish, wouldn't it?"

"I wouldn't say close. I'd say I have four years before I reach mine, and you have five years or more before you reach yours."

"Damn. Do you really think we'll work it out?"

"Yes. We'll just have to try, Kylie."

"Yeah, we'll try."

"Good. Let's make the most of the summer, okay?"

"Okay! Especially after I get back from London."

"Excited for your birthday?"

"Of course! It's been two years since I went to the beach. I can't wait to go swimming."

"I can't wait to see you in a bathing suit."

"Sorry to shatter your dreams, but it's gonna be a rashie."

"Okay, but is the bottom gonna be shorts or pan—"

"Keep your perverted thoughts to yourself, Hartford."

"Just asking."

"My phone feels hot against my ear right now."

"Sorry, it's just my hotness going through your end."

"Psh. That's the best you've got?"

"Nah, I'm saving the best for the perfect time."

"Perfect time, huh. Anyway, I'm getting hungry. What do say, let's grab a pizza at Brick Oven? They're open 'til three, right?"

"Kylie, it's midnight. I'd love to drive around with you, but I'm afraid our parents would fry us alive if they caught us sneaking out. Plus, I'm still in hot water with Mom for being suspended."

"Wait, it's midnight already? Really? I didn't notice. It always feels sunny and bright when I talk to you."

"..."

"..."

"Whoa."

"Ha! Was it good? Did I catch you off guard?"

"Wow, Kylie. When and where did you learn how to create pick-up lines?"

"Why, did I make you blush? Did I make your heart flutter, huh? Huh?"

"You always make my heart flutter."

"Uuuugh, okay, okay. I give up. We're getting gross."

"That's what she said."

"Hey, before I fall asleep and forget this the next day, I have to let you know now that I want us to be honest with each other. If something's bothering you, you say it, and I'll do the same, okay? Agreed?"

"Agreed."

"Even if it's going to be about you wanting to find another girl because you've lost interest in me or something, you have to tell me upfront. Never do it behind my back."

"I'm not going to find—"

"Look, we can't tell the future, so just agree that we'll be honest with each other."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Great. Okay, let me start it. I have a confession to make..."

"A confession. Interesting. All right, go on."

"I... um... I kinda... sorta... had a crush on you when we were younger."

"...what? Wait... y-you did?"

"Particularly during that summer."

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

"Because I thought it was stupid."

"It was not."

"It was. You were my friend, and it would've been awkward if I told you. So, I suppressed the hell out of it."

"It would've been awkward indeed, but I think we would've gotten over it easily. You know, Kyles, I haven't stopped smiling when we made this call. And you admitting that to me makes my mouth hurt even more."

"..."

"What? What's funny?"

"Nothing. Um, your turn."

"Fine, wait—ah, I know you've had this burning question at the back of your mind. Who my first girlfriend was... Well, her name is Cyrene."

"Cyrene—?"

"Cyrene Chen."

"Her? Ooohhh. Okay, okay... it makes sense now."

"What makes sense?"

"What Erik told me before... That you stole his girl."

"That's bullshit."

"Oh... then you must tell me your side of the story..."

"Now?"

"Now."

"But you sound sleepy. You should rest."

"Nah... two more minutes."

"You sure? This is going to take longer than that."

"Mm-hmm, better."

"Okay. Where would you like me to start?"

"..."

"Kylie?"

"..."

"Kyles?"

"..."

"Did you fall asleep on me?"

"..."

"Huh. So... uh... there's one thing I haven't been honest with you. I know I should tell you this while you're awake and listening, but I don't think I'm good at doing it. You kinda have that thing that makes me tongue-tied... I mean, just one look at you and it overwhelms me. I don't think I'm making any sense now... gonna doze off in a minute, too. But the thing is, Kylie, I have the same worries as you. It's true that we can't promise that things will work out between us in the long run. It's inevitable that you're going to meet lots of people. It's inevitable that you're going to meet someone else. Maybe someone who's... better. Someone who'll help you with homework and make you laugh... take you to places you've never been... hold you when you're upset... and then you might find him fascinating... Or we might become different people through the test of distance and life in general.

"I don't want to think this way, Kylie. I don't want us to drift apart. But you're right. We can't ask each other to stay. I can't ask you to stay. You've worked hard to get a chance at the school you want. Sometimes I ask myself why it has to be so far away. But it's your choice. I'll be okay with it. I want to see you thriving, and I want to see you in that white coat. It's gonna be far in the future, I know. This is why I'm praying that we'll still be together in that future.

"Oh man, did I say all of that? Jeez. Good thing I'm saying this while you're asleep because I'm sure you'd laugh and call me cheesy—"

"Mmgghhmmm."

"Shi—what the—Kylie? Are you there? You playing a prank on me?"

"..."

"Ah. You're snoring. Wow, you haven't left yet, but I'm missing you already. A'ight, gonna end this call now because my eyelids are so fucking heavy. I'll tell you all about this again when you're awake, but just the summary, I guess. I'll try. Anyway, goodnight, Kyles. Or good morning. Whatever. I can't wait to see you again in that white dress tomorrow night. I love you."