Chapter 1
For our sixth dating anniversary, Darren brought Gretta, the girl who had been pursuing him for three years, straight to our candlelight dinner.
He tried to play it off. "Don't be like that. She's going to be like a little sister to us from now on."
This was the same girl who once called me terrible names just because I wouldn't step aside and let him go.
Now she stood there, acting all soft and sweet, calling me "sis" like we were old friends.
It made my stomach turn. I felt sick to my core, and I couldn't bring myself to eat a single bite.
That night, Darren said he would drive her home, and he never came back at all.
I couldn't sleep, so I ended up scrolling through a social media account I knew well: Gretta Chases Her Love Bravely.
There was a brand-new post up.
First win the "little sister" title, next level up to being his baby!
The step-back-to-move-forward trick works perfectly! I stayed out until the dorms locked up, just batted my eyes and played sweet, and he agreed to get a hotel room for the night. He is so easy to wrap around my finger!
And I actually got to kiss him while he was sleeping!
Attached to the post was a photo: Darren, who always swore he couldn't sleep properly anywhere but in his own bed, was fast asleep on a hotel pillow. Bright lipstick marks were smudged clearly across one side of his face.
The comments below were full of people cheering her on and wishing them luck.
All at once, every bit of the fight and feeling just drained right out of me.
The next morning, I called my academic advisor and accepted the fully-funded study abroad placement I had been offered.
*****
There were dozens of official application forms to complete for the program.
After signing the very last one, I let out a long, slow breath of relief.
'It was finally settled.'
When I lifted my head, I found my advisor looking at me, clearly hesitating to speak.
Professor Black was close to fifty years old, a highly respected senior academic. He was strict in class and almost always kept a serious, unsmiling face.
Every student was a little afraid of him.
Except me.
But right now, his face was tight with anger, mixed with genuine distress, an expression that actually took me by surprise.
"Is everything okay, Professor?"
Professor Black cleared his throat, then asked directly, "Have you broken things off with that boy, Darren, yet?"
I blinked, caught off guard.
I had been buried under paperwork and preparations lately. I hadn't spoken to him for a whole week.
And naturally, he hadn't reached out to me either.
But as far as things stood, we had never officially ended it. Our profile pictures on social media were still the matching couple set we had chosen together.
So I shook my head.
At that, Professor Black suddenly snapped. He brought his palm down hard on his desk, making a sharp, scraping sound that cut through the quiet room.
"What on earth is this world coming to? That insolent young man has some nerve!"
It struck me then that even when refined, well-educated people lose their temper, they still speak with the weight and rhythm of someone used to careful words.
"The whole campus is talking about what he did with that girl from the Arts department. Are you aware of any of this?"
I knew he had to mean Gretta, but I truly had not paid any attention to what exactly had happened.
He gave me that quiet, disappointed look that said, "You are far too good for this, and went on."
"Just after midnight last night, he walked straight into the women's dormitory showers, and carried a young woman out in full view of everyone while she was still undressed. Someone took photos and posted them to the campus community board. That post already has tens of thousands of comments."
My first reaction was a weak, teasing remark. "Wow, Professor... you really are up-to-date. Who knew you followed the campus message boards?"
As expected, he gave me a dry, exaggerated roll of his eyes.
Setting the joke aside... this was serious.
Whatever private problems we had, Darren and I were still seen by everyone as the university's ideal couple.
One of us had served three terms running as student body president. The other represented the school in competitions all over the country, with photos of every award printed in the campus newspaper week after week.
What he had done out there with Gretta was not just a mistake, it was public humiliation. He had made a fool of me in front of everyone.
Professor Black, who always stood firm behind his students, was having none of it. He spoke sharply and clearly, like a direct order.
"End this. That shameless boy does not deserve even one bit of you."
Hearing such honest, steady care from someone who truly had my back, all the hurt I had been holding inside suddenly spilled over.
Tears poured out like a dam breaking.
He hurried to pull a stack of tissues from his drawer and handed them over, while he kept muttering and shaking his head at the disgraceful way Darren and that girl had behaved.
When I finally steadied myself, I nodded firmly. "Alright. I will break up with him today."
I had already known this was coming, but now I had every reason, and more, to end it cleanly.
Professor Black looked relieved, and leaned forward to encourage me.
"Do not let this drag you down. Once you finish your masters, then your doctorate, your future will be so bright you will never need a lamp. A man like that? You will meet a dozen far better ones before you even notice."
"You are absolutely right. I am kicking that rude, selfish jerk to the curb right now!"
Professor Black and I looked at each other, and suddenly we both burst out laughing.
