Chapter 5

When I got home, my parents were sitting on the couch watching TV.

My mom asked, "Mike, did you really finish filling out your college applications?"

I nodded and said calmly, "Mom, Dad, I applied to Western Institute of Technology."

My dad paused with the remote in his hand, then set it down gently.

My mom was quiet for a moment, then sighed, "Honestly, we kind of saw it coming." There was no blame in her voice, only a touch of heartache. "You've been so troubled lately. We could tell something was up between you and Ruby."

My dad gave my shoulder a reassuring pat. "Mike, no matter what you decide, we'll always have your back. Western Institute of Technology is a great school. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters."

My nose stung, and I nodded. It turned out they'd noticed how I was feeling all along, but just never said anything.

Late at night, I was lying in bed and couldn't sleep no matter how hard I tried. Out of nowhere, my phone lit up with a call from a random number. I hesitated, but answered anyway.

"Michael, what the hell is your problem?" Ryan's voice came from the other end, seething with anger. "Do you know Ruby cried all night because of you?"

I gripped my phone tighter, staying silent.

"She's drunk right now, won't stop calling your name," Ryan said, a deliberate provocation in his tone. Then he sent me a photo.

Ruby was slumped over the table, wasted, her eyes still stained with tears.

I stared at the photo for a few seconds, then let out a cold laugh. "Ryan, who are you putting on this act for?"

There was a beat of silence on the other end, then his voice went icy. "Michael, don't be ungrateful. Ruby still cares about you. Do you have to be this cold?"

"Cold?" I scoffed. "Aren't you two already together? Your so-called sweet couple pics are all over the class group chat."

"That's—" Ryan tried to explain, but I didn't let him finish.

I hung up on him and blocked his number right away.

*****

For the rest of the summer vacation, I never saw Ruby again.

The class group chat was buzzing, though. Every day, there were new vacation photos of her and Ryan, at the beach, on the mountaintop, in the amusement park, and their smiles were exceptionally bright.

Everyone was dropping comments and blessings under every photo, as if what Ruby and I had was ancient history.

I quietly scrolled through the screen, feeling surprisingly calm.

Until one day, someone mentioned me in the group. [Michael, why are you so quiet? Don't tell me you're jealous or something?] He also added a few mocking emojis.

I stared at the screen, my finger hovering over the [Leave Group] button for a moment, then finally tapped it.

*****

Time flew by, and before I knew it, it was time to head off to college.

My parents insisted on taking me to the airport, reminding me again and again the whole way.

My mom, her eyes red, said, "Make sure to call us often when you get there, okay? Don't make us worry."

My dad gave my shoulder a reassuring pat. "Study hard, and don't let yourself down."

I nodded, feeling a warm glow in my heart.

Right before boarding, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Ruby: [Michael, I'm waiting for you at the freshman orientation at Central State University. Don't be late.]

I froze for a moment. She still thought I was going to Central State University?

I stared at the screen and typed out a line: [Don't worry, I definitely won't be late.]

After that, I blocked her for good.

As the plane took off, I gazed out the window at the shrinking city below and felt an unprecedented lightness in my heart.