Stepping out of the hotel, my mind was in turmoil. Zamir and I had been together for years. After high school, fate took us on different paths; I stayed in Austin while he went to New York City. Still, he returned to visit me every month.

When we started job hunting, I heard he turned down an offer from a major corporation just to join the local branch of Cambridge Industries after I signed with them. I thought our efforts were reciprocal, that I was the only girl in his life.

I used to jokingly ask him what kind of girl he liked. He’d laugh and point to a picture online, saying, "Someone like this—fair, petite, a bit quirky." I always assumed he was just humoring me—until Keilani appeared. That's when I realized I had lost.

It seemed that when he truly loved someone, he'd quickly introduce her to his friends, openly claiming her as his girlfriend. His reluctance to make our relationship official was a clear sign of his lack of interest. My heart ached with a dull pain, like a knife slowly cutting through it.

I wandered aimlessly through the streets all day, terrified of running into someone I knew, dreading the whispers and gossip. When I finally returned to the apartment, it was already eleven at night.

Turning on my phone, I saw that Rodrigo had booted me from the group chat. He briefly explained why and then warned me: [Don't contact Zamir for a while. It took him a long time to win over the girl of his dreams—don’t ruin it for him.]

Once again, I felt an indescribable powerlessness and rage. Everyone used to admire him, and I respected him for his fairness and leadership. Now, I wanted to ask, why?! My chest was tight with frustration, words bottled up inside me that I wished to scream at them.

I picked up my phone, typed and deleted long messages repeatedly. In the end, I erased them all. Forget it.

My roommate was already asleep, but I lay in bed, tossing and turning until I finally drifted off at dawn. When I woke up, it was already noon. Everly's excited voice pulled me from sleep.

Her grad school exam results were out, and she had done well. Everly shook my bed with enthusiasm, exclaiming, "Kya, wake up! Thanks to you helping me with English, I scored an 81 on that tough exam! I'm so proud of myself. Let's go shopping later; I'll treat you to some grilled sandwiches!"

Everly led me to a new mall near the university, chatting about a great sandwich place she wanted to try. The restaurant was packed, and there was a line. I took the chance to use the restroom. On my way back, I unexpectedly bumped into Zamir Chavez with Keilani Shaw at his side.

I had no intention of talking to them and was about to turn away when Keilani stepped in front of me, blocking my path. "Kya James, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"I could ask you the same thing," I replied.

"You have every right to be here, but I'm just wary of certain shameless people who love to play games and fail, then won't back off," she retorted.

Her words made me tremble with anger. "Care to repeat that?" I challenged.

With a taunting smile, she replied, "Am I wrong? Your reputation precedes you now." Her voice dripped with malice. "Do you remember how close you were with my boyfriend?"

People passed by, glancing curiously, each stare feeling like a brand on my skin. My face burned, and my throat tightened as if seized by an invisible hand, leaving me speechless.

I clenched my fists and glared at her. Zamir stepped forward, shielding her. "Kya, we’re just friends. I have my own life now," he said. "I have a girlfriend, and we should keep our distance. Stop clinging to me."

I was stunned, my expression a mix of shame and anger, unable to believe what I was hearing. "What did you just say? Who's clinging to you?"

My voice broke with emotion, and before I could finish my sentence, tears streamed down my face. Keilani smirked victoriously and pressed on, "Can you deny sneaking into my boyfriend's bed two nights ago?"

She continued, "Are you trying to play the victim now? Who are you crying for?" With a dismissive wave, she addressed Zamir. "Come on, baby, let's go."

As Zamir wrapped his arm around her, Keilani shot me a disdainful look and muttered, "Drama queen, so irritating." Then they turned and left, leaving me standing there, boiling with rage and humiliation.

My legs felt like they were weighed down with lead, unable to take another step. When Everly found me, I was a mess of tears.

"Kya, what's wrong?"

"I..." I choked out, unable to express the overwhelming sense of injustice engulfing me. She pulled me into her arms, and as I leaned on her shoulder, I finally cried out loudly. Exhausted from sobbing, I eventually calmed down and told her everything about Zamir.

After listening and offering some comfort, Everly burst out, "I've always said he's not right for you, but you still wouldn't leave him!"

Zamir used to visit me at school often and took our entire dorm out for meals. Everly knew all about our long-standing relationship but never approved, believing him insincere, and she urged me not to take him too seriously. Yet back then, I stubbornly believed that because he treated me so well, he had to be genuine.

"So, what are you going to do now? You both signed with the same company; it'll be awkward seeing him every day."

I was raised by my grandmother in a small coastal town in England while my parents lived in a nearby city.

"Why not move back to the city?"

"Actually, I think you're really suited for research. Why not pursue further studies?"

I'd always considered continuing my education, but when Zamir mentioned wanting to start his career early, I decided against it. Then my phone pinged with a message, sparking an idea.

"Remember last year? I applied to a few universities in America."

"Over the past month, I've received several offers. I'm planning to go abroad for a Ph.D."

Just after signing with my dream company last fall, I had a lot of free time during my senior year, so on a whim, I took the TOEFL and GRE. My scores were strong, and I applied to a few universities abroad without much thought. Little did I know, it would become my escape route.

I opened my email to find six acceptance letters waiting for me.

"When you have time, help me analyze these on the computer to decide which one to choose."

Everly was genuinely happy for me. "That's amazing! I thought I’d be the only one in our dorm pursuing further studies and was feeling quite lonely about it. Now, having you along for this research journey makes it feel less solitary!"

I nodded in agreement. "Let's aim high together."

In the end, I chose the direct Ph.D. program at Stanford. Holding the acceptance letter, I ended my contract with the company. The moment I received the termination notice, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

I was free, ready to soar with the sky as my limit, no longer dwelling on the past and unafraid of the future.