Chapter 4 Chapter 4 To silence any second thoughts , I opened my laptop right there on FaceTime with Maya . Without hesitation , moments before the midnight deadline , I logged into the Common App portal and changed my acceptance from Columbia to Stanford . The cursor hovered over the Confirm Change button for just a second before I clicked , watching my future transform with a single mouse click . Maya was ecstatic , practically bouncing off her bed . Shed been begging me since junior year to join her at Stanford , painting pictures of California sunshine and Silicon Valley dreams . Back in freshman year , Aiden and I had made a promise over late night study sessions and shared . Wed work hard , ace our SATS , and head to Columbia together . The aerospace engineering program there had been his dream since the day his dad took him to the Air & Space Museum when we were twelve . Even though I never loved the idea of harsh New York winters or felt particularly drawn to Columbias engineering focus , Id spent three years of high school making it my goal . Every AP class , every SAT prep session , every extracurricular -all carefully chosen to match Columbias requirements . Id even joined the robotics club just because Aiden said it would look good on our applications . After being neighbors for so long , both our families had already pictured our future together . His mom would invite me over for Sunday dinners , talking about how nice it would be to have both of us at Columbia , casually mentioning all her friends whose children had found their soulmates during freshman orientation . Everyone , including me , thought Aiden and I would naturally become a couple after graduation the perfect high school sweetheart story . Now , I couldnt find a single reason to go to Columbia anymore . The thought of walking those same campus paths with him , sharing classes , running into him and Madison at the library or campus coffee shops it made me physically ill . Or rather , after today , if I kept trailing after Aiden like his faithful shadow , I wouldnt be able to look at myself in the mirror . I just needed to get as far away as possible . Stanford , Berkeley , UCLA anywhere would do , as long as he wasnt there . The entire West Coast suddenly seemed like the perfect escape . If he was going to the East Coast , then Id head West . Three thousand miles and three time zone good start to forgetting the last six years of my life . like a Eternal Pledge Where Mountains Touch Sk In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. As their romance blossoms, Hector grapples with concealing his true identity to capture Jane's heart. However, their love story takes a tumultuous turn when jealousy rears its ugly head, threatening to unravel the delicate balance they've built. This modern romance novel delves into themes of hidden identities, unexpected love, and the complexities of maintaining a relationship shrouded in secrecy. With its blend of sweet romance and suspenseful twists, "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" stands out for its exploration of hidden feelings and the consequences of revealing long-held secrets. For readers seeking a captivating tale that combines elements of romance, intrigue, and emotional depth, this ongoing story is available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in the world of Jane and Hector as their journey unfolds against the backdrop of hidden truths and heartfelt revelations.