He Fumbled a Lifetime

I got into an elite college with my boyfriend, Philip Jewitt—and tossed my acceptance letter in the trash. His mom was dying. He stood in front of me, eyes red. "Stella, she doesn't have time... If she finds out I dropped out to pay for her treatment, it'll destroy her. Please. Help me. I swear I'll treat you right for the rest of my life." Philip got four perfect years on campus. I scraped by, working three jobs. I paid his tuition. Covered his mom's bills. After graduation, he needed startup money. I convinced my parents to mortgage our house. When his company went public, he proposed in front of everyone. I thought all those years finally meant something. But then he heard his one-sided love, Winnie Schell, died in a car crash. He got drunk and shoved me to the floor. "Why wasn't it you? If I didn't feel guilty about you, I would've married her." I clutched my stomach, pregnant, begging through tears. He sneered. "You owe Winnie everything. You really think you deserve my kid?" Then he kicked me—hard—right in the stomach. Pain ripped through me. Blood pooled between my legs. My vision went dark. When I opened my eyes again, I was back—one hour before the college application deadline. Chapter 1 The second I realized I was back, I opened my laptop and changed my application. Last time, after the SATs, I made it official with Philip and applied to the same school in Crestport. This time, I picked the school I actually wanted—in Borevia City, the capital. After I hit submit, I checked my phone. Philip had posted five minutes ago. [Maybe Heaven gave me another shot to see you. This time, I won't let go.] The photo showed him and Winnie, leaning together, fingers laced. I stared at it and let out a quiet, bitter laugh. So he came back too. And the first thing he did? Confess to his childhood friend. Fine. This time, he can have whatever he wants. I'd just shut my laptop when my phone rang. Philip. "Stella, my mom's sick. I need money. Now. Lend me some." I froze. "Why should I?" He sounded so sure of himself. "Relax. I'll write you an IOU. I'll pay you back after I graduate." "No money." Silence—then he laughed. "Stella Spencer, you're my girlfriend, and you're this petty? If you don't help me, I'll have to drop out and work. You okay with that?" "What does that have to do with me? I said I don't have money." "Fine! Then we're done!" I hung up and blocked him. What a joke. He'd already gone public with Winnie—and still tried to threaten me with a breakup. Chapter 2 In a blink, it was the day the admission letters arrived. Our class rep set up one last dinner before everyone left for college. Philip walked in holding Winnie's hand. The room lit up with cheers. "Nice! Got a girlfriend right after the SATs? So—you guys going to the same school?" Winnie wasn't in our top class. Last time, she ended up at an average college in Greyford. Philip ruffled her hair. "Winnie's grades aren't great, so I'm staying local for her." Then he shot me a look. The guys instantly got hyped. "Damn, that's real love." "Wasn't that elite school in Crestport your dream? You're really giving it up?" "Yeah, nothing here even compares." Winnie's eyes went red. "Philip, did I hold you back? Is this all because of me..." Tears slid down her pale cheeks. Philip panicked. "Hey, don't cry. You're what matters most. Being with you? That's more than I could ever ask for. I should be thanking Heaven. How could you hold me back?" It sounded sincere. The whole room ate it up. Winnie finally smiled through her tears. Right then, Philip's friend Ronnie cut in. "Weren't you with Stella after the SATs? When did Winnie become your girlfriend?" I was reaching for food when all eyes snapped to me. After the SATs, most people were traveling. Not many knew about us. Ronnie kept going, like my silence didn't matter. "Didn't you both apply to the same school in Crestport? It's been, what—a few days? You already broke up?" "Oooh—" A few guys whistled. "Philip, man, you've got game." Philip smirked. "I heard Stella had a thing for me, but we were never actually together." Unbelievable. Molly, who knew everything, snapped. "Can you not? Stella got into a school in Borevia City. She never applied to Crestport—and she never liked you." Philip's face dropped. "Stella, is that true?" I nodded. "Yeah. Sorry for the mix-up. I never applied to the same school as Philip, and I don't like him." "Stella!" His jaw tightened. "You really think that's funny? Saying that in front of everyone?" Chapter 3 He stepped in and grabbed my wrist—hard, like he wanted to crush it. "Come with me." "What are you doing?!" I struggled, but couldn't break free. "Everyone's watching—including your girlfriend. Say it here. No need for drama." "Yeah, Philip, what's going on with you and Stella?" Winnie looked at him, eyes full of hurt. Philip glanced at her, hesitated—but didn't let go. "Winnie, don't get the wrong idea. Stella and I just have something to sort out." Philip dragged me outside. "Stella, I know you can't handle me being with Winnie. You said you applied to a school in Borevia City just to get back at me. But being petty won't fix anything. My mom needs money now. If you care about me, lend it." I didn't think he could be this shameless. "We're classmates. What does your mom being sick have to do with me? Ask your relatives. Or your girlfriend. Why me? I don't have money." Last time, at this exact dinner, Philip got drunk and said he'd drop out to pay for his mom Margaret's treatment. But when I got him home, he broke down and asked for money. I couldn't stand seeing him like that. I handed him my bank card. Three years of prize money. Cash gifts from relatives for getting into college. Almost twenty-five grand. Enough to cover a year of treatment. He took it and pulled me into a hug, overwhelmed. A few days later, he cried again—this time asking me to give up college. "Stella, my mom's treatment costs money. We can't touch the savings. You'll have to work and pay my tuition. I swear I'll never betray you." I was blinded. I hid it from my parents, tossed my acceptance letter, and worked three jobs to put him through school. He got used to it. So this time, when I said no, it threw him. He stared at me, searching. "You came back too, didn't you?" "Yes." I nodded, leaning in close. "Scared? You killed my child." His hand snapped to my throat. His eyes went cold with hate. "You bitch. So you came back too." His grip tightened. "Last time, you tore me and Winnie apart. If not for you, she wouldn't have died. You owe us. So this time, you're giving me the money." Chapter 4 I couldn't breathe. I swung and slapped him—hard. "Let go!" He loosened his grip. I shoved him back with a kick. "If you and Winnie are so in love, have her pay for it. What—your girlfriend wouldn't say no, right?" Philip froze, eyes flicking past me. Winnie rushed over, throwing herself in front of him. When she saw his swollen cheek, she broke. "Stella! That's too far! How could you hit him?" "Perfect timing. Your future mother-in-law has cancer and no money for treatment—and your boyfriend's out here asking me for cash. Shameless." Winnie stared at Philip, stunned. His face went pale. So he never told her about Margaret. *** Later, I heard Winnie did exactly what I did last time—handed Philip all her savings and took a summer job at a boba shop for him. Philip looked down on it. He wanted to use what he knew from his past life to land a job at a big company. But he'd just graduated high school. Too young. No real company hires summer kids or part-timers. After hitting wall after wall, he ended up delivering food. One day, Molly and I spotted Winnie behind the counter at a mall boba shop. She stood there in uniform, a long line in front of her, exhaustion all over her face. When she saw us, she dropped her gaze and avoided us. Looking at her felt like looking at my past self—working three jobs for Philip. I didn't want her making the same mistake. I stepped closer, voice low. "Is it worth it? Doing all this for a guy? If he really loved you, would he let you suffer like this?" Winnie stared at me, shocked. Her lips parted, but I turned and walked off. That was all I was saying. What she did next wasn't my problem. That night, I cut through a dark corner of my apartment complex garden. A figure stepped out, grabbed my shoulders, and slammed me against the wall. "Stella! What did you say to Winnie?!" I jumped in fright. "Did you make fun of her? Ever since she saw you, she's been ignoring me!" I rolled my eyes. "Or maybe she thinks you're a burden and doesn't want to work herself to death for you." Philip snapped, worked up. "No way! Winnie and I are in love! I gave up Crestport for her. She'd never do that! It's just one job. Last time, you worked three—I never heard you complain." Chapter 5 So he knew. He knew in my last life, I loved him to the point of breaking—worked three jobs, handed over every dollar. I never complained. Not once. Not when coworkers bullied me. Not when my supervisor made my life hell. Not when customers grabbed me or ran their mouths. I never told him. I always felt bad for him. School. His mom's illness. Working to cover her bills—I thought he had it rough. I never realized... that was his responsibility. Not mine. I worked twelve-hour days. He never once felt bad for me. And in the end, I still got the worst ending. Philip dug his fingers into my shoulder. Pain shot through me, tears stinging my eyes. He froze, then let go, face twisting with disgust. "Stella, even if you try to split me and Winnie up—even if you cry because I don't love you—I'll only love her this time. Since you won't lend me money, drop the jealousy and stay away. Otherwise, don't blame me for getting nasty." I almost laughed. "Fine. Then stay away from me too. Stop bothering me—and don't ask me for money again." He blinked, thrown by how fast I agreed. Like he didn't buy it, he scoffed. "Relax. I'd never come to you anyway." Then he turned and walked off. Later, I heard he spent two days sweet-talking Winnie before they got back together. Guess a young, naive girl like her couldn't resist so-called love. *** Third-Person POV Two months flew by. Philip finally scraped together enough for his first semester and a couple months of living. He was riding high, thinking he'd made it without Stella, no dropout in sight. Then Margaret crashed. She got rushed to the ER, and just like that, his little victory died. That's when it hit him. Last time, Stella's card had covered everything. Margaret stayed in the hospital the whole time—no emergencies, no panic. This time? Winnie had five grand. That was it. She handed over all five grand. Still not enough. So Philip cut corners. Checked Margaret out early and dragged her home to "recover." Yeah, that backfired. She got worse. He camped at the hospital for two days straight. When they finally rolled her out of the ICU, ventilator still hooked up, he let out a long breath. Chapter 6 Two months of grinding—gone in two days. And the bills weren't done yet. So Philip called Winnie. She showed up with one of those hospital gift bags. He pointed at Margaret, out cold on the bed. "Winnie, you see this. I need money. Now. Can you lend me some?" Winnie hesitated. "I don't have anything left." Philip's face dropped. "You made two grand in two months. You live at home, eat for free. Where'd it go?" "I... I used it yesterday. Bought a new phone." He snapped. Grabbed her shoulders hard enough to make her cry out. "You're my girlfriend. My mom's fighting for her life, and you're out buying a phone? Do you even care about me? About her?" Winnie flinched, shoved him off, took a step back. "You're hurting me! My old phone was ancient, so I replaced it. And I already gave you all my savings. What else do you want?" "My mom needs money now. Five grand isn't enough! You're my girlfriend—you should back me, no questions." He clocked the fear on her face and dialed it down. "Hey... it's fine. Just go sell the phone and bring me the cash." Winnie pressed her lips together, tears spilling. "I know you're stressed about your mom. I am too. But we're just dating—you don't get to control my money. Maybe... try something else? Borrow from family? Or... ask Stella. Didn't you say she has money?" The second she said Stella, he lost it. "How dare you bring her up? Do you know how much she did for me? How much she gave me? She was never this selfish." Winnie hugged her phone tighter. Yeah. That set him off all over again. 'This is the "true love" I threw my future away for? My mom's on the line and she won't even give up a phone?' That did it. He lunged. He had to get that phone. "Winnie, if you just stand there and something happens to my mom, that's on you!" They struggled—her crying, yelling—total chaos. And he didn't notice he'd knocked the oxygen tube right out of his mom's nose...