The One Before Everyone Else

Grayson’s hoarse voice came through the line. He seemed not to have noticed the caller ID.

My voice was rough as my chest ached faintly.

“It’s Waylon.”

He immediately seemed to understand, then let out a crooked, wicked smile. “Oh, Waylon. Camelia’s right next to me. She didn’t have her phone just now. I’ll hand it to her.”

Soon, Camelia’s gentle voice came through the phone. “Waylon? Why did you suddenly call me?”

There was a trace of panic in her voice, but it was quickly forced down.

“Didn’t you say you were working late? Why are you with Grayson?” My voice sounded tired even to myself.

“I finished work already. Grayson told me he broke up today, so I thought I’d comfort him. That’s why I came to watch fireworks with him.”

Her tone was calm. It was as though she were simply stating something ordinary.

Then, she added, “Don’t worry, Waylon. We broke up years ago. I only see him as a younger brother now.”

I let out a quiet laugh and did not press further.

“Come back for a bit. I have something to talk to you about.”

I glanced at the medical report in my hand. My eyes stung slightly.

Camelia fell silent for a moment. She probably thought I wanted to argue, and her voice cooled slightly. “Waylon, I can’t come back right now. Whatever it is, let’s talk tomorrow.”

Every word I wanted to say lodged itself in my throat.

When I did not respond, she hung up without hesitation.

I froze for a moment. It was the first time Camelia had ever hung up on me.

That night, I sat on the couch in a daze, waiting quietly. Heavy rain hammered against the windows, rapid and relentless. The air was heavy and cold. I replayed my life in my mind.

My parents divorced when I was young, and my mother raised me alone. When I was in middle school, she fell ill and passed away. I was alone again.

For years, I drifted between the homes of relatives, living as someone else’s burden. I thought I would never be loved in this lifetime. Then, I met Camelia in college.

The first time I saw her, she was wearing a white dress. Her smile was light and bright. Even just walking across campus, people would look for excuses to bump into her.

Our first encounter was cliché yet somehow romantic.

We helped the same stray kitten and later worked together on the same competition. One rainy night, I handed her an umbrella. Just like that, we settled into a quiet, ordinary relationship.

I never believed in love. However, from the moment I met Camelia, hope began to stir in me.

I knew she had not liked me that much at first. Still, even if she only offered me the smallest fragment of her love, I chased it without hesitation, praying I could keep pace with her.

As she treated me better and better, I started to believe what others said—that we were a couple deeply in love.

Then, Grayson appeared and shattered everything I had. Without mercy, he tore away the false mask of this love.

It was not until late into the night that the front door finally opened. Our eyes met.

Camelia looked slightly surprised, then frowned. “It’s so late. You’re still awake?”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

I gave her a faint smile. “You’re back.”

She hummed in response, then asked gently, “Are you hungry? I can make you something.”

She set the umbrella down, took off her coat, and headed toward the kitchen. I glanced at the light gray umbrella. It belonged to Grayson. I knew because it was the one I had given Camelia and she had later given it to him.

“Yeah. Just make some mac and cheese.”

The atmosphere at the table was anything but good. We sat across from each other, thinking about completely different things. I really wanted to ask her why she could go watch fireworks with Grayson but could not even spare me a phone call.

However, when I opened my mouth, no words came out.

Did I really need to ask?

She should have known I would be upset.

She should have known it was inappropriate to go out with her ex.

That was why she did not tell me.

The food in front of me was still steaming. Camelia watched me eat from across the table. She seemed to be in a good mood. The corners of her lips lifted into a faint smile from time to time.

We let that night pass in silence, neither of us daring to mention what happened.