Chapter 4
I booked my flight for the day after my birthday.
Early on my birthday, my phone buzzed with a reminder.
[Your ticket for tomorrow's flight to Lynden City has been issued.]
I turned off my phone, gathered my things, and headed to the lab building.
When Lucas finally came out, I held out my phone with the movie tickets pulled up.
"It's my birthday today. Will you watch a movie with me this afternoon?" I asked.
"Just the two of us," I added.
Lucas gave me a quick, indifferent glance.
"I'm stuck in the lab all day," he said.
"Let's just do what we did last year—grab dinner together tonight," he added.
I pursed my lips, about to nod.
Wendy, standing nearby, reached out and gave Lucas a friendly pat on the shoulder.
"Birthday girl gets to call the shots today," she said.
"Skipping one day of experiments won't hurt your grand scientific career."
Then, still smiling, she hooked her arm through mine.
"I'm coming to the movies too. You guys watch your movie, I'll just pick something else for myself," she said.
"I promise not to get in the way of your date," she added.
Lucas was quiet for a moment, then finally closed his laptop.
"Let's go," he said.
As the subway was about to pull into the station, my phone buzzed with a text.
[Harbor Bistro, reservation confirmed for 7 PM tonight.]
Lucas had made the reservation.
It hit me—last year, he'd taken me there for my birthday too.
So, he still remembered.
I read the message again.
The weight on my chest started to lift, just a bit.
When we got to the cinema, I grabbed our tickets.
Wendy paused in front of a comedy movie poster.
"This one's super popular right now, and the reviews are great," she said.
She opened the ticket app, but her face fell a little.
"The only seats left are way in the corner," she said.
"Forget it, I'll just wait for you guys outside," she added.
But Lucas pulled out his phone and bought the last two tickets to that comedy.
"Go watch it if you like," he said.
"I'll go with you," he added.
He handed the tickets to Wendy, then finally turned to me.
"Just watch your movie on your own today," Lucas said.
"Tomorrow, I'll go with you and we can watch it together—does that work?" he added.
I glanced down at my phone, where the flight reminder was still glowing.
[Your flight departs in 16 hours.]
I tucked the movie tickets away, a faint smile tugging at my lips.
"Okay," I said.
The couples' hall was packed.
Every seat was taken except the one right next to me—it stayed empty the whole time.
The movie told the story of a couple who'd been together for years. Right before they parted ways, they made plans to meet again the next day.
They both believed tomorrow would always be there for them.
But in the end, only one of them actually showed up.
When the movie ended, the theater was filled with tears.
I raised my hand and wiped away my tears.
At that moment, I couldn't tell whether I was grieving for the movie or for myself.
The comedy movie theater next door had already emptied out.
By the time I checked my phone, the only thing waiting for me was a single message from Lucas—sent ten minutes ago.
[We're heading over to the restaurant first.]
When I got to the restaurant, I spotted Lucas through the glass right away.
He was leaning in, carefully slicing a piece of cake for Wendy.
Most of the dishes on the table had already been eaten.
Lucas poured her a drink, a faint smile lingering on his lips.
"Congratulations," he said.
"You're officially part of our research group now," he added.
Wendy smiled, closed her eyes, and made a wish earnestly.
Lucas finally noticed me and waved me over.
"Lily, what are you doing just standing at the door?" he called out.
"Come on over," Lucas said, smiling.
"Wendy just passed the lab interview," he said.
"Let's celebrate together," he added.
I looked at him, originally wanting to ask if tonight wasn't supposed to be my birthday dinner.
But with the words on the tip of my tongue, I felt there was no point anymore.
I just shook my head.
"I have something to do, so I'll leave first," I said.
Without another word, I turned and walked away.
Even after I'd walked a long way, there were no footsteps chasing after me.
Back in my dorm, I stuffed the last few clothes into my suitcase.
I changed the flight originally scheduled for tomorrow to the last flight tonight.
Right before my flight took off, Lucas sent me three messages.
[I'm taking tomorrow afternoon off.]
[Tomorrow, we'll catch the movie and celebrate your birthday together.]
[Lily, happy birthday.]
I didn't reply.
Just switched my phone to airplane mode.
The city lights outside the window faded into the distance, growing smaller and smaller.
And that tomorrow Lucas promised me...
I was never going to show up for it again.