’Georgia Thorne, you need to wake up.’

’You’ve been utterly defeated by Amanda Thorne!’

She drew the curtains, not wanting to look at Elliot Sheridan anymore.

Whatever. She’d just have to be more careful from now on. In two more months, she’d be off to university.

By then, everything would be easier.

She took a deep breath. The alcohol had cleared her mind, leaving her wide awake. So, she picked up her paintbrush and started drawing to pass the time.

Before she knew it, more than three hours had passed.

It was late into the night. Georgia Thorne looked at the white paper, wrote down the date, and locked the drawing away in a drawer.

Time flew by, and the results of the college entrance exams were out.

Selena Sheridan called her right away to ask about her score.

Her score was decent—just a few points shy of the cutoff for top-tier universities, but well above the line for the next level down.

Getting into a university wouldn’t be a problem.

However, her chances of getting into Portmire University, the school she truly wanted to attend, were slim.

She wanted to go to Portmire University, but she wasn’t sure if she would be accepted.

There was another university, a good one, but it wasn’t where she really wanted to go. Still, she was certain that if she listed it as her choice, she’d be guaranteed admission.

She was torn, unsure which school to list as her first choice.

It had been several days since she received the university application form, and she was still hesitating.

On Wednesday, Selena Sheridan called to meet up and ask her about it.

Georgia was still feeling antsy and didn’t want to go out, but Selena chided her, "Georgia, it’s your birthday! Why are you cooped up at home? You have to come out and celebrate."

Her birthday. If Selena hadn’t brought it up, she would have almost forgotten about it.

Her birthday meant she had come of age. She was now legally old enough to marry.

Unable to resist Selena’s persistent pestering, she agreed to free up her day.

The sun was scorching. Dressed in a simple T-shirt and shorts, Georgia showed up at the bubble tea shop where they had agreed to meet.

Selena had already ordered a bubble tea for her. "Have you decided which school you’re going to list?"

"I guess Qinghai University." This was the conclusion Georgia had reached after several days of deliberation.

Qinghai University was her second choice; if she listed it, her admission was guaranteed.

"Qinghai University? But isn’t your dream to go to Portmire U?!"

"My score probably isn’t high enough. I’m afraid I won’t get in." Georgia frowned, looking disheartened.

"*Sigh.* I really envy you. Too bad my parents are sending me abroad!"

"I should be the one envying you. The great Miss Sheridan is going abroad to study. When you come back, you’ll have a foreign degree! That’s worth so much more than what we domestic university students will have!"

"Tch, I’ll just be goofing off overseas!" Selena pouted. "No, I’ve got a plan! I’m going to Breccon to find myself a handsome, blond, blue-eyed guy and bring him back!"

"Breccon? You’re going to Breccon?"

"What’s up? Is there a problem?" Selena asked, curious about her friend’s sudden agitation.

She shook her head. "It’s nothing. I’m just really envious you get to go to Breccon."

She lowered her head with a bitter smile. ’She was still clinging to a foolish hope.’

’The person she missed the most was in Breccon.’

’That person had been gone for three years without a single word.’

To celebrate Georgia coming of age, Selena dragged her to a bar for a drink.