Chapter 72
Inside the dean’s office, Joshua’s eyes were glued to the computer screen. The girl’s captivating eyes seemed to pierce through the monitor and look straight into his soul.
In that moment, Joshua was certain.
This was Marguerite. One hundred percent, it was her.
His heart pounded in his chest, whether from the sheer impossibility of her being alive or something else, he couldn’t say.
Mr. Zade, sipping his coffee, noticed Joshua staring blankly at the screen. He leaned over and saw that the video wasn’t even playing; it had been paused just a few minutes in, frozen on a shot of the audience.
Mr. Zade peered closer, and then his own eyes widened.
“My goodness! George was at the game today too p>
Every current administrator at Pinecrest knew George. His visits were always met with enthusiastic welcomes. He was the school’s biggest benefactor; his presence meant money was coming. Of course, they were happy to have him visit anytime. Mr. Zade knew him particularly well-he had been George’s homeroom teacher. George’s generous contributions to his alma mater after finding success had naturally led to Mr. Zade’s promotion.
Two of the most distinguished graduates from the class had returned on the same day. Mr. Zade couldn’t help but compare them. George was clearly the superior one —he arrived and left discreetly, causing no disruption whatsoever. Joshua, on the other hand, hadn’t been his student; he’d been in his wife’s class.
It made sense for Joshua to come for a game, but why was George here? Mr. Zade was perplexed, but there was no one to ask. Then he noticed the beautiful girl sitting next to George.
Mr. Zade scratched the top of his toupee. “She looks so familiar. But I don’t think she’s a Pinecrest student.” Beautiful students were well-known among both their peers and the teachers. Could she be from Westside High? But why would a Westside student look familiar to him? Strange.
Joshua’s phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him from his trance. He took it out and saw a message from his brother, Joseph.
[Bro, where are you now p>
Joshua immediately placed a voice call. Joseph answered quickly.
“Where are you?” Joshua demanded, already walking out of the office. “Did you get Marguerite to stay p>
The name “Marguerite” registered with Mr. Zade. He slapped his thigh. “That’s it! It’s Marguerite p>
“The valedictorian from the class of 14! But wasn’t she p>
He looked back at the screen, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.
Joseph had returned to the gym to get his phone and saw several missed calls from Joshua, so he sent a message. Now on the phone, he scoffed, “I told you, it wasn’t Marguerite. I didn’t try to stop her p>
Joshua’s brow furrowed. “Useless! Meet me at the dean’s office.” Newest update provıded by
Joshua paced the hallway outside, smoking a cigarette. Back in the office, Mr. Zade was alone, a chill running down his spine. He sent a message to his wife: [Honey, I think I just saw a ghost in broad daylight p>
As soon as Joseph appeared in the hallway, Joshua stubbed out his cigarette and rushed to him. “Do you have Marguerite’s contact information p>
Joseph’s face soured. “I told you, it’s not Marguerite. Why do you want her number p>
His words betrayed him. He did have her contact info.
“Give me your phone!” Joshua snatched it from Joseph’s hand.
“Bro! What the hell are you doing?” Joseph exclaimed angrily.
Joshua ignored him, his eyes scanning the phone. He quickly found an absurd username. There was no name attached, but it was He
pinned to the top of the chat li opened the chat and quickly shared the contact with himself Just as he was about to read their messages, the phone was ripped from his grasp.
“Bro! Don’t push it!” Joseph shouted.
Joshua looked up, his gaze cold. “It is Marguerite. And don’t flatter yourself. She only approached you to get my attention. Now that I’m a big star, she’s probably feeling insecure p>
Joseph was already angry about losing the game, and now he was furious. “You’re the one who’s flattering yourself p>
Joshua ignored him, adding the contact on his own phone. A minute passed, and the request wasn’t accepted. He sent it again, this time adding a note: Joshua.
Joseph yanked the sweatband from
his head, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it in the trash. “Bro, calm down Your high school girlfriend
has been dead for years. Besides
you’re not exactly short on women. Why are you so obsessed with this girl p>
It was all surreal, but Joshua was convinced. George was the ultimate proof. But there was no point in explaining that to his brother. “You’re the one who needs to calm down. Delete this contact, and don’t ever message her again p>
Marguerite must still be deeply in love with him. Why else would she suddenly get close to his brother?
A friend request popped up on
Marguerite’s phone, but she ignored it. She was too busy looking for Aaron
I said he going to the
for a
restroom and had been gone long time. At first, she thought he might be having trouble finding it, but after forty minutes, she couldn’t sit still any longer.
She got up and started to leave the shop.
“Miss!” the young girl at the counter called out.
Marguerite turned. “Yes p>
The girl handed her a sticky note. “The guy with black hair who came in with you asked me to give this to you when you left p>
Marguerite’s heart sank. She crushed the plastic cup in her hand as she took the note with the other.
The handwriting on it was a messy scrawl, still childish.
[Maggie, I’m so, so happy you’re back. This is something I used to dream about all the time. Now that my dream has come true, I’m content. Please, I’m begging you, don’t look for me. I’m doing fine on my own. Just forget about Aaron p>