I held the admission notice tightly. “Mia, we did it. We’re both going to A University. Don’t you remember our promise?”Mia lowered her head. “Simon, I’m giving up my spot to Chris.””What did you say?” I grabbed her wrist. “Mia, have you lost your mind? We promised to go all the way together, and you’re just giving it up like that?””He needs it more than we do!” She pulled away from me.”In your heart, our promise was worth that little?” I shouted.She turned her face away, her voice choking up. “I’ve already made up my mind. I’m sorry.”I stared at her. “If you’re breaking our promise, then so am I.”She spun around sharply. “Simon, don’t be rash!”I sneered and turned to leave. “What I do is none of your business.”Her crying sounded behind me. I clenched my fists, when she suddenly called out to me.”Simon, don’t hate me!”I froze in my steps.She added, “I really had no choice…”
She Gave Up Her Chance, I Gave Up on Her Chapter 1
The Monday morning reading class had just ended when the homeroom teacher walked into the classroom holding a paper, a faint look of relief on her face.
“Okay, everyone, quiet down. The recommendation quotas for the top universities this year have been confirmed. Our class has two slots.” Her voice wasn’t loud, but it instantly hushed the noisy classroom.
I sat at my desk, feeling my palms grow a little sweaty, heart pounding with a mix of hope and nerves.
My name’s Simon Lynn. Mia Scott and I are the top students in our class. Ever since sophomore year, we’d made an agreement—to fight for the recommendation quotas together and go to the same university.
“The ones who made it are Simon Lynn and Mia Scott.” The moment the homeroom teacher called out the names, I glanced over at Mia. She smiled at me, eyes shining with happiness.
Applause burst around us—some were envious, others disappointed—but for me, it felt like a huge weight lifted off my chest. Our promise suddenly felt a bit closer to coming true.
The second the bell rang, I couldn’t wait to head over to Mia’s desk and talk about what comes next.
“Mia, we did it! Soon, we’re really going to A University together.” I couldn’t hide the excitement bubbling up inside me; my voice was thick with hope.
But Mia Scott wasn’t as happy as I expected. She kept her head down, nervously twisting the sleeve of her shirt, her face a little pale.
“Simon Lynn, I need to tell you something.” She looked up, but her eyes darted away, avoiding mine.
My heart sank instantly. I had a bad feeling—”What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“I’m going to give up the recommendation quota.” Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, but it hit me like a stone thrown into a still lake, stirring up a thousand waves inside.
“What did you say?” I couldn’t believe my ears. Grabbing her wrist tightly, I said, “Mia Scott, don’t joke around. Didn’t we have an agreement?”
“I’m not joking.” Mia Scott gently pulled her hand away, her voice steady and determined, “I want to give my spot to Chris Lewis.”
She Gave Up Her Chance, I Gave Up on Her Chapter 2
Chris Lewis? I froze for a moment, and then a wave of anger crashed through me.
Chris Lewis is the low-income student in our class, with average grades and usually quiet. But I’ve always sensed there’s a falseness beneath his calm surface—not as straightforward as he seems.
“Why him?” I asked, voice tight with disbelief. I fought hard to keep my anger in check, but my voice still cracked, “We made that promise for so long—worked so hard, planned to get into A University together—and now you just give up like it’s nothing?”
“Chris’s family doesn’t have much. This is his one shot,” Mia’s voice was earnest, almost pleading. “Simon, I know I’m letting you down, but I can’t just stand by and watch him lose this chance.”
“Chance? What about our promise?” I stared at her, disappointment burning deep in my eyes. “So, in your mind, our promise means so little?”
“It’s not like that, Simon. I just… I think we still have other chances. But Chris doesn’t.” Mia’s voice trembled slightly as she held back tears. “You’re such a good student. Even without the recommendation, you can still get into A University. But Chris can’t.”
“I don’t need you to make decisions for me!” I couldn’t help raising my voice, drawing the attention of the students around us. “Mia, have you ever thought about how much we’ve sacrificed for this promise? Staying up late doing exercises every day, giving up so much of our free time—and now you’re throwing all that hard work away with a single sentence?”
“I know I’m wrong, but I’ve already made up my mind.” Mia bit her lip, tears glistening in her eyes.”Simon, I’m sorry.”
Looking at her determined gaze, I knew no matter what I said, she would never change her mind.
A wave of helplessness washed over me. I took a deep breath, looked straight into her eyes, and said word by word:”If you’re choosing to break our promise, then I’ll give up this recommendation spot too.”
She Gave Up Her Chance, I Gave Up on Her Chapter 3
“Simon, don’t be rash!” Mia panicked, grabbing my arm. “You can’t give up your future just because of me!”
“Future?” I let out a laugh, bitter and self-mocking. “Without our promise, A University isn’t worth much to me anymore.”
I shrugged off her hand and walked away, not daring to look back.
Back at my seat, I pulled out my phone and opened the study abroad agency’s chat, my fingers typing fast: “Hi, I want to apply for studying abroad. Could you walk me through the process?”
I knew this was a bit impulsive, but I just couldn’t accept how she tossed aside the promise we once held so dearly.
Mia Scott sat nearby, her eyes full of guilt and helplessness as she watched me, but I didn’t give her even one glance.
The moment she said she was giving up her spot, our agreement was already shattered.
All I could do was leave this place full of regrets behind and search for a different path meant just for me.
During lunch break, Mia Scott came looking for me again, but I purposely stayed away.
I didn’t want to argue with her anymore, and I didn’t want to hear her excuses. Some wounds, once made, can never be healed.
I didn’t catch a single word in the afternoon class—my mind kept replaying our old agreement, and Mia Scott’s unwavering look.
When the dismissal bell rang, I packed my bag and hurried out of the classroom without waiting for Mia Scott or saying goodbye to anyone.
Stepping out through the school gate, the evening breeze brushed past me, and I couldn’t help but blink back tears.
Mia Scott and I have known each other since middle school. We worked hard and grew up side by side. We promised each other we’d get into a top high school, then a top university, and walk into the future together.
But now, she’s letting go of that promise we made years ago—letting go of our future—all because of someone she’s only known for two years.
I pulled out my phone and messaged the study abroad agency, confirming the country and school I wanted to apply to. Gradually, the knot in my chest started to loosen.
If she doesn’t value what we promised, then I’ll hold on tight to my own future. From now on, we’ll each go our own way and no longer interfere with each other’s lives.
