His Lab Partner Ended Our Valentine's Call

On Valentine's night, my long-distance boyfriend, Chase, and I had a FaceTime sex date planned.

I'd bought some super sexy lace lingerie just for tonight.

But the second the video call connected, his lab partner, Amber, walked right into the camera frame.

She gasped, fake-covering her mouth with her hand. "Oh my god, Chloe! Why are you dressed like that?"

Blushing hard, I pulled my duvet up to my chin to cover myself.

I glared at Chase through the screen. "Why is she in your room?"

Before Chase could even open his mouth, Amber cut in. "Chase and I have a huge lab experiment to run tonight. We can only give you three minutes to chat."

Chase looked incredibly awkward. "Chloe, the national tech competition is coming up, and this experiment is critical to our project. I really have to go. Let's talk tomorrow, okay?"

"But it's Valentine's Day," I said, my voice cracking. "We planned this."

Amber rolled her eyes, practically snatching the phone from his hand.

"Chloe, aren't you just taking classes at a local community college? It's fine if you don't care about your own future, but stop holding Chase back from his."

And with that, Amber slammed the hang-up button.

I let out a bitter laugh. Three years of long-distance. It was finally time to end this joke.

I exited FaceTime and tapped on my chat history with Chase on Snapchat.

I scrolled up. It was just a graveyard of my one-sided messages.

I had sent him photos of my new haircut.

I had sent him a picture of a pretty cloud.

I had sent him a funny video of a stray cat on a tree branch.

His replies? Practically nonexistent.

He'd send a dry "cool" hours later, or a thumbs-up emoji two days after my text. Sometimes, just a random sticker.

I closed Snapchat and opened Instagram.

Our cute couple photos? Deleted.

Now, his feed was flooded with photos of him and Amber working late in the lab. In one photo, their hands were practically touching over a beaker.

I locked my phone and stripped off the lingerie. Tonight was nothing but a humiliating slap in the face.

A second later, a text popped up from Amber.

"Chloe, I've been thinking about this for a while, and I'm just going to be honest with you. If you actually care about Chase, stop bothering him. He studies until 3 AM every night. Every time his phone buzzes, he loses focus and it takes him fifteen minutes to get back in the zone."

"The random spam you send him is honestly pointless. He doesn't want to reply, but he feels too guilty not to, which wastes so much of his mental energy. Do you have any idea how draining that is for him?"

"Also, as an independent modern woman, maybe stop sending him those cheap, thirst-trap photos. Is a woman's only value her body to you?"

I stared at the screen, every word cutting like a needle.

She had gone through our private chats?

Chase was a total privacy freak. He had never even let me touch his phone during our three years together.

I typed back: "Does he know you're texting me this?"

Her reply was instant. "Of course. He said you keep sending him useless spam and he didn't want to hurt your feelings by telling you directly. He asked me to handle it."

My throat felt tight, like I was choking on sand.

Amber added one more text: "Oh, and he wanted me to tell you not to call during study hours. Just text. He'll check it when he's free, but don't expect a reply. Be mature."

Driven by a masochistic urge, I tapped onto Amber's Instagram profile.

Her latest post from yesterday was at a cozy pizza place.

Chase was sitting across from her, and she had snapped a photo of him eating a slice she had probably picked out for him. The caption read: "Weekend fuel with my favorite nerd."

I scrolled down. Last week, they went hiking, posing with peace signs at the summit.

Before that, it was a coffee shop date, late-night library study sessions, and a new dessert spot. He was in every single photo.

The same Chase who always told me he was "too busy."

It turned out he wasn't busy. He just reserved his time for someone else.

Tonight, I was supposed to tell him some life-changing news. I had just been accepted into the prestigious Master's program at Columbia Universitythe very same campus he went to. I was finally moving to New York. We weren't going to be long-distance anymore.

But now, those words were stuck in my throat, turning into a dull, heavy ache.

I opened Chase's Snapchat and sent him one last message: "Let's break up."

The next day, I woke up and unlocked my phone.

Inside our Snapchat chat, my text "Let's break up" sat at the very bottom. Read. No reply.

Just like almost every message I had sent him over the last four years, it had sunk to the bottom of the ocean.

I stared at the screen and let out a dry laugh. He was so checked out of this relationship that he couldn't even bother to reply to a breakup text.

Before I could lock my screen, a notification popped up in our university's club WhatsApp group.

It was the roster for the upcoming regional college basketball tournament. My eyes instantly caught Chase's name.

And right next to it, listed as the team manager, was Amber.

My roommate leaned over my shoulder, taking a look. She shook her head. "Man, those two are practically the power couple of Columbia's bio department. They live in the library together. Even the professors say they're a perfect match."

She pulled up a screenshot of Amber's VSCO. "Look at them. One is top of the class, the other is second. They literally share everything."

I swallowed the bitterness in my throat and forced a nod. "Yeah, they look great."

But my fingernails dug deep into my palms.

From that day on, I went out of my way to avoid the science building, the campus gym, and any route where I might run into him.

But of course, fate is cruel. I bumped right into him outside the advisor's office.

Chase looked a bit thinner. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and he was holding a stack of syllabus folders.

When he saw me, he froze for a second, then forced a polite smile. "Chloe? Hey. It's been a while. Want to grab some lunch?"

I wanted to say no, but a four-year relationship deserved a proper, face-to-face ending.

So, I nodded. "Sure."

Before I could even step forward, Amber stepped out from behind the door, naturally sliding right next to Chase. She smiled warmly at me. "Oh, Chloe! What a coincidence. We should all eat together."

She tilted her head toward Chase. "Did you pick a place?"

Chase shook his head. Amber immediately turned to me. "Why don't you choose, Chloe? It's rare for us to hang out."

"How about that French cuisine place down the street?" I suggested casually.

Amber gasped softly. "Oh, his stomach has been so sensitive lately. The doctor literally put him on a bland diet. Didn't you know that, Chloe?"

I pressed my lips together. "Okay. What about the organic vegan bistro?"

Amber shook her head again. "Too much oil in their dressings. He had terrible acid reflux the last time we went there." She paused, letting out a soft, pitying chuckle. "Chloe, how do you not know his dietary restrictions by now?"

I suggested four or five more places, and every single time, Amber shut me down with some intimate detail about Chase's daily routine.

Too far, too noisy, too dirty, too long of a wait.

Finally, she sighed, looking like she was making a grand sacrifice. "Fine, fine. Let me choose. You two are hopeless."

Chase looked down at her and laughed softly. "Thanks, Amber."

Amber playfully nudged his shoulder. "I'm literally carrying this friendship on my back. You owe me big time for this."

As they bantered back and forth, I stood there like an invisible third wheel. Watching Chase look at Amber with that warm, easy smile made my chest tighten so hard I could barely breathe.

Four years of long-distance. I thought we were just separated by miles.

But the truth was, the distance was so wide I didn't even fit into his life anymore.

The words "Let's break up" felt heavy in my mouth. But seeing them like this, I realized I didn't even need to say it out loud. It didn't matter.

When the menus arrived, Amber took charge.

She pointed to an avocado salad, reminding Chase that he was on a low-sodium phase.

Then she ordered a bowl of chicken noodle soup, smiling at him. "You said you liked their broth last time. See? I remembered."

Chase nodded, totally natural. "Do you want to add an order of those fish tacos you love?"

Sitting across from them, I felt like a stranger who had accidentally sat at the wrong table.

Amber suddenly slid the menu to me. "Chloe, go ahead and order whatever you want."

Before I could speak, Chase cut in. "She doesn't really like spicy stuff. Let's get her the..."

He stopped.

His finger hovered over the menu, his eyebrows knitting together.

After a long pause, he pointed to two random dishes. "Let's just get these."

I looked down.

Fried chicken tenders.

A wave of nausea and sadness hit me.

I was severely allergic to poultry. I hadn't eaten chicken in my entire life.

He had completely forgotten.

Amber tapped the back of Chase's head with her menu, teasing him. "Are you studying too hard or what? I'm the one who loves chicken tenders, stupid!"

Chase blinked, looking flustered. He avoided my eyes and pushed the menu closer to me. "Just... order whatever you want."

I shook my head and stood up, grabbing my bag. "No, it's fine. I actually have a project to finish. I should go."

I looked down at him one last time. "Check your Snapchat messages when you have a second."

He shrugged dismissively. "Amber filters my messages for me. She'll let me know if there's anything urgent."

I let out a tiny, hollow laugh.

So I wasn't even "urgent" enough to bypass his assistant.

There was no point in waiting for a reply.

I turned and pushed open the restaurant door. The cool New York breeze hit my face, and for the first time in years, I felt like I could breathe.

The next day was the campus basketball game. My roommate had dragged me along to support her younger brother, Jace.

Jace was a freshman, and this was his first big game. He was so nervous his hands were shaking.

I bought a pack of Gatorade and water bottles, setting up a little cheering station by the bench.

The buzzer sounded, and I looked up. I immediately saw Chase driving the ball down the court.

Amber was standing right by the sideline, holding a towel and a bottle of water.

Every time Chase made a shot, she cheered and jumped.

During timeouts, she'd immediately hand him his water and wipe his sweat. They looked like a seamless unit.

Some girls standing near me whispered, "They are so cute together."

"Chase is playing like a beast today. Amber's definitely his lucky charm."

I forced a flat smile and turned my attention back to Jace.

At the end of the third quarter, Chase walked over to the bench. Amber immediately draped a towel over his neck.

I bent down to organize the water bottles, but in my peripheral vision, I saw Chase walking toward me.

He glanced at the row of Gatorades at my feet and frowned. "Amber already got me drinks. You don't need to do this." He paused, his tone turning lecture-like. "Honestly, Chloe, you should spend less time hanging around gym courts and more time studying."

I gripped the plastic bottle in my hand, staying silent.

"Look at Amber," Chase continued, his voice self-righteous. "She's top of her class, winning research grants, and she still manages her time perfectly. You could really learn a thing or two from her."

A sudden wave of exhaustion washed over me. I looked up, staring straight into his eyes. "Whether I study or not is none of your business, Chase."

He froze, his jaw tightening. "Chloe, what is your attitude lately? I swear, ever since you started community college, you've lost all ambition. If your mindset stays like this, how are we supposed to have a future"

"A future?" I interrupted, my eyes stinging. "We don't have a future."

He opened his mouth to speak but went silent.

He bent down, reaching for one of the Gatorades near my feet.

But before his hand could touch the bottle, another hand snatched it away.

Jace cracked the cap open, took a massive gulp, and grinned down at me. "Thanks, Chloe. This is exactly what I needed."

Jace then stepped forward, his tall, athletic frame completely blocking Chase from my view.

Chase's hand hovered in the air for a second before he dropped it awkwardly. He glared at Jace, then looked back at me, his eyes dark with irritation.

Amber wandered over, looking between us with a fake-innocent smile. "Oh, Chloe, did you come here just to see Jace? No wonder you brought so many drinks." She tilted her head. "I was wondering why you didn't even look at Chase once during the whole game."

Before I could respond, Chase's face went cold.

I looked at Amber and smiled thinly. "Amber, you're so obsessed with watching me, people might think you're the one trying to get with Jace."

"Chloe!" Chase snapped, his voice low and dangerous. "What the hell is wrong with you? Amber has done nothing but try to help you, and this is how you treat her? Stop being so toxic."

Before I could even defend myself, he stepped closer, his voice rising with frustration. "Every time I had a rough semester, who was there for me? Amber. When I was pulling all-nighters and about to crash, who stayed up with me? Amber. When I had a fever and had to go to the clinic, who stayed by my side all night?"

His eyes actually looked red, his voice shaking. "You ask me why I don't reply to your texts? Think about it, Chloe. Where were you when I actually needed you?"

The bench went completely quiet. A few players glanced over at us.

Amber grabbed his sleeve, looking like she was trying to calm him down, but the smug look in her eyes gave her away.

At that moment, the thin thread holding my heart together for the past four years finally snapped.

"Where was I?"

My voice was quiet, but it cut through the noise of the gym. "Chase, freshman year, before finals, you had a fever. I called you eleven times. You didn't answer a single one. The next day, you told me your phone was on silent, and I believed you."

"Sophomore year, during the winter, my boss at my part-time job stiffed me on my paycheck. I was crying on the curb and sent you a voice note saying how scared and sad I was. You replied two days later with a stupid hug emoji."

"Last month, on my birthday, I stayed up until 2 AM waiting for a text. You didn't even say 'Happy Birthday.' The next day, you told me you forgot and that I was being too sensitive."

I stared at him, tears finally spilling over my lashes. "You say I wasn't there when you needed me? Did you ever give me a chance to be? Every time you 'needed' someone, Amber was already standing there. Where was I supposed to stand, Chase?"

Chase's mouth opened, his lips trembling, but no words came out.

Amber let go of his sleeve and whispered, "Chase, let's just go... Chloe's obviously in a bad mood."

I turned to walk away. But suddenly, a loud shout echoed through the gym.

"Watch out!"

In my peripheral vision, a heavy orange shadow came flying toward me at high speed.

I tried to dodge, but it was too fast.

Thwack!

Before the ball even hit me, I saw Chase reflexively throw his body over Amber, shielding her head and shoulders with his back.

The ball hadn't even been heading toward her.

As I stumbled backward and hit the hardwood floor, a sharp, blinding pain shot through my skull, but my chest felt incredibly light.

Amber screamed, "Chase, the ball hit Chloe!"

Chase finally turned around, his face completely pale.

Jace rushed over, scooping me up in his arms before Chase could even take a step. "I'm taking her to the campus clinic," Jace growled, running past him.

I closed my eyes. My head throbbed with agony, but the heavy stone that had been crushing my chest for three years was finally gone.

In the clinic, Chase let out a sigh of relief. "The doctor said it's just a mild concussion. Nothing major."

I didn't say anything, staring at the ceiling.

He pulled up a plastic chair and sat down. "The game just ended, and I have to catch the last train back to my campus. Get some rest. I'll come see you next time."

He paused, his voice softening. "About what happened on the court... don't overthink it. It was just an instinct. You look like you've lost weight, Chloe. Make sure you eat. Text me if you need anything. I... I promise I'll reply."

If this were a few months ago, those few soft words would have been enough to make me swallow all my tears and wait for his next "promise."

But now, they sounded completely empty. Like dust landing on waternot even leaving a ripple.

I nodded blankly. "Okay."

He waited, expecting me to say more. When I didn't, he stood up slowly, walking toward the door.

At the threshold, he looked back at me, hesitating, as if waiting for me to beg him to stay.

"Go back and read the messages I sent you," I said quietly.

He nodded. "Okay. I will."

The next day, my phone remained completely silent.

He had promised to read the messages, but still, no reply.

I opened Snapchat, held down his name, and tapped Delete Friend.

Then, I packed a bag and bought a one-way train ticket to a quiet beach town.