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.

A few days later, Zamir Chavez sent me a voice message, wondering why I hadn't reached out to him for days. He spoke so casually, as if he had forgotten the day he insisted, in front of everyone, that I should keep my distance. We used to chat endlessly, and I would share every detail of my life with him. But recently, I stopped contacting him and didn't respond to the messages he sent. He even called me several times. Each time his name lit up on my screen, I reminded myself not to slip back into old habits.

Our chat history was filled with his messages:

"Why haven't you messaged me in days? Still upset? Got quite the attitude, huh!"

"I finished my thesis. Want to start an internship together? Get a jumpstart on your career."

"Kya James, what's up with you? Too scared to reply?"

"Is your phone broken? Not replying to messages, not answering calls?"

"Where are you?!"

...

"Okay, okay, ignoring me on purpose, huh? Let's see how long you can keep this up!"

In the end, I found it all too irritating and blocked him across all platforms, along with Rodrigo and the others, except Adler Watson. Finally, there was some peace.

Adler sent me a message:

"Kya, did you block Zamir and the guys? They're all complaining about it..."

He sent me a video where Zamir and Rodrigo were drinking with the gang.

"Has Kya not responded to you yet?"

"This time she's really ticked off and even blocked all of us."

"Is it necessary? We didn't do anything to her. Is she losing it?!"

"Don't indulge her, she'll get too full of herself."

With the usual dismissive ridicule.

"Zamir, what if Kya never talks to you again?"

"She wouldn't dare!" Zamir snapped, irritably stubbing out his cigarette. "She's just playing hard to get, waiting for me to give in."

He laughed scornfully, "Probably got jealous seeing me with Keilani. I told her not to cling to me, and she must have taken it seriously."

Someone teased, "Zamir, you've got it made. A devoted childhood friend on one side and a sweet girlfriend on the other. Quite the balancing act."

Zamir rubbed his temples, "Yeah, trying to keep both sides happy."

"Zamir, don't worry, she's always been your little admirer. Once you're working together, she'll come running back."

"That's true. I'll let her stew for a few days, and when I feel like it, I'll smooth things over with her. No big deal."