Betrayed by Childhood Friend

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.