Chapter 2

Later, I remembered to add him using the number he'd called from.

He accepted quickly but didn't say a word for ages.

I quietly scrolled through his social media, trying to peek into his life over the past six years.

His feed was quiet, monotonous.

Until last year, when a vibrant, red-dress-wearing girl appeared — so much like his old self, full of life.

From that day on, Julian's posts became more frequent.

His smile wasn't as unrestrained as before, but it was filled with a subtle happiness.

I stared, a little dazed. Then, halfway through, my screen went black.

He must have remembered and blocked me.

I slowly finished my last bite of instant ramen.

Tossed my phone aside, wrapped myself in my blanket.

And didn't sleep a wink.

The next few days, it was as if we'd both forgotten about it.

I prepped for class, went to school, fed my cat. My life was a simple routine.

He was busy with his company, flying overseas for business negotiations.

On TV, his name would occasionally flash across the screen.

Julian, the self-made tech titan, acquiring one company after another.

Maya would sometimes swing by with groceries.

We'd share a watermelon, sitting on the sofa, watching the news.

All his success had countless socialites in a frenzy, eager to 'catch' him.

"Mr. Julian, you've turned down all the prestigious match-making proposals. Is there a reason?"

A bold reporter asked.

Julian narrowed his eyes, composed and distant.

Yet, a fleeting tenderness flickered in their depths.

"I have a girlfriend."

Everyone assumed it was the girl living in his mansion.

Only Maya poked me, hesitantly asking,

"Didn't you just say you two got back together? He'll marry you, right?"

"After all, his pursuit of you back then was epic, the whole campus knew about it."

I stared at his polite, cold face on the screen.

And shook my head.

I tapped her on the head.

"Silly, who gets a girlfriend just for a BOGO ice cream deal?"

Julian hadn't really put me in his heart.

"I know, but he was Julian, the guy who loved you more than anyone!"

She counted on her fingers, "You skipped class together, played claw machines, had your first kiss."

"Every time you just looked at him, that brilliant, aloof guy would follow your every whim like a loyal puppy."

The memories felt distant, almost blurry.

"Seriously, tell me the truth. You didn't cheat on him and then dump him, did you?"

I hummed, honestly shaking my head.

Maya was silent for a moment, then changed the subject.

"It's fine, don't be sad. We don't need that one guy."

I looked up, slowly saying,

"I'm not sad."

She choked, then tied on her apron and headed to the kitchen to cook.

"Ugh, I knew you had no heart. Get over here and help!"

I thought things would continue as usual.

Until one evening, he proactively sent me a SnapChat message.

[Let's have dinner tomorrow night.]

[I'm waiting downstairs.]

I saw the message after I got out of the shower.

Right. Since we broke up six years ago.

Maybe I'm just getting older, or lazier.

I still lived in this small apartment where we once lived together.

After staring blankly for a while, I remembered to refuse.

[Can't, I have plans tomorrow.]

His reply was still brief.

[I'll wait three minutes.]

Indifferent, distant, impatient.

It hit me then.

He wasn't the Julian who used to cater to my every whim anymore.

But I really didn't want to have dinner with him.

I thought for a moment, then typed.

[Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it that way. It was just a rare deal on ice cream, and it was so hot out…]

[You were the only person I knew on the street; asking a stranger to split the order would be awkward. At least we used to date…]

[How about we just break up again? Good for you, good for me, good for everyone.]

It was getting increasingly messy.

I deleted it all.

And sent only one message.

[I was joking about getting back together that day. My apologies.]

I held my phone, waiting a while longer.

He didn't reply.

I sighed.

Those regrets from six years ago, let's just let them go.