His Last Words Were for My Best Friend

When my boyfriend, Julian, passed away in a tragic geological expedition accident, he only managed to send back three last sentences.

The first was a professional report to his department. The second was an apology to his parents.

And the third was:

[Chloe, you are my Quaternary Glaciation.]

Chloe was my best friend. Both she and Julian were brilliant geologists.

Years ago, behind my back, the two of them had applied for the exact same major at the same university.

Later, they became the most compatible partners in the industry.

Just to understand their conversations, I had forced myself to switch my major to Geology.

But in the end, I was nothing more than an errand girl in the research lab.

Julian used to comfort me.

"Everyone has their own strengths, Avery. I'm just happy you're my girlfriend."

Yet, he would still look at Chloe with that lingering gaze of admiration and regret.

Even his final words were a confession to Chloe, expressed in a way I could never understand.

Not long after, Chloe also passed away in another accident.

They were memorialized together on campus as outstanding alumni.

I lived the rest of my life in deep, silent regret.

But when I opened my eyes again, I was back in my junior yearon the exact day I was supposed to submit my major transfer application.

Looking at the Snapchat group on my phone, where the two of them were chatting excitedly while completely ignoring me, I smiled.

I clicked "Cancel" on my transfer application.

This time, I was done chasing them.

After I withdrew my transfer application, the notifications on my phone kept buzzing.

The two of them were chatting up a storm.

I sent a quick message: [Have you guys eaten yet?]

But my message was instantly buried, as if it had been muted.

No one replied.

Just moments ago, the group chat was supposed to be about planning my birthday dinner for tomorrow.

But somehow, it had drifted back into a dense geological discussion that I couldn't wedge myself into.

Without hesitating, I left the group chat.

Almost immediately, Julian sent me a private message with a question mark.

Chloe sent one too.

I didn't reply to either.

Then, Julian called. His voice was as gentle as always.

"Avery, why did you leave the group chat?"

Julian didn't notice my silence. He just kept coaxing me in that patronizing, patient tone of his.

"Chloe made that group. You leaving like that out of nowhere really hurt her feelings."

"If you're upset about something, let's talk about it when we meet tomorrow, okay? Just join the group back first."

Even though they were the ones who ignored me first, Julian still chose to prioritize Chloes feelings.

I sat on my bed, staring blankly.

The phone suddenly felt incredibly heavy in my hand, making it hard to breathe.

I hung up, joined the group back, but still didn't reply to any of their messages.

The next morning, I was still trying to sleep when my phone vibrated aggressively with several calls.

Chloe's voice was bubbly and cheerful when I picked up.

"Avery! Come on out, let's celebrate your birthday! We still have class this afternoon!"

Out of habit, I dragged myself out of bed to match their schedule. It was only when I walked downstairs that the cold air finally woke me up.

But Chloe had already thrown her arms around me.

Julian stood behind her with a warm smile, looking every bit like her boyfriend instead of mine.

Chloe mysteriously pulled out a beautifully wrapped gift box.

"Open it! Julian and I picked this out together for your birthday."

Staring at the elegant boxexactly like the one from my past lifeI felt absolutely no desire to open it.

Because I already knew what was inside: a plush toy that screamed of a lazy stereotype.

In my past life, I had opened it with high expectations, only to feel like a bucket of ice water had been poured over my head.

Chloe and Julian had been so excited.

"Do you like it? We spent so much time picking it out. We both thought it looked just like you!"

Back then, I didn't see through it.

It wasn't until Chloe's birthday three months later, when Julian went through endless trouble to buy her a piece of a lunar meteorite as a gift, that I realized what true effort looked like.

I took the gift calmly.

"Thanks."

Chloe pouted slightly.

"Why do you look so down, Avery?"

Julian answered casually for me.

"She's busy with her major transfer paperwork these days. She's just tired, not unhappy."

He indeed knew what I was busy with, because he was the one who had convinced me to switch majors in the first place.

Back then, Julian had told me:

"If your classes are too hard, just transfer to Geology. Chloe and I will look after you."

So, I had blindly jumped into Geology in my junior year.

But later, when I was yelled at by the professor, he was also the one who said impatiently:

"You're the one who insisted on studying Geology, even though you knew you weren't cut out for it."

Hearing his confident words now, I just smiled.

They had no idea that I wasn't transferring anymore.

Chloe nodded, dragging me toward a nearby diner.

As soon as we sat down, Julian walked out with a birthday cake.

The moment I saw the rich, dark chocolate frosting, my stomach churned with nausea.

"Why is it chocolate cake again?"

Julian shrugged.

"You don't really care for cake anyway, so I let Chloe pick her favorite."

Chloe whined playfully.

"But chocolate is the best! Avery, you really need to change your stubborn habits."

"I don't eat chocolate."

They both knew damn well that I hated chocolate. But every single time, they bought this exact flavor just to please Chloe.

Julian gave me a strange, searching look.

But Chloe quickly turned off the restaurant lights, and he looked away.

The candle flames flickered.

Julian urged, "Make a wish, Avery."

I didn't have the patience. I closed my eyes halfway.

Through the dim light, I saw Chloe excitedly putting on my birthday crown, closing her eyes, and making a wish alongside me.

The warm candlelight illuminated Julians gaze beside herso tender, so incredibly doting.

A bitter, sickening feeling washed over me.

It turned out that every single one of my birthdays was just a shared wish-granting ceremony for Chloe. No wonder my annual wish of "I hope the three of us stay happy together forever" never came true.

I had absolutely no appetite during the meal. Julian glanced at me several times.

But he didn't ask a single question, probably wanting to avoid a scene.

On our way back to campus, I was initially walking between them.

But they had been talking about their geology lab project the entire time.

Without realizing it, I was pushed off the sidewalk.

They walked side by side, laughing and talking seamlessly.

It wasn't until we reached the gates of their campus that Julian finally turned back to look at me, a helpless smile in his eyes.

"How did you fall so far behind again?"

"I won't walk you all the way back to your dorm. Get home safe, okay?"

I looked up at their university gates, watching the couples walking in hand-in-hand.

I suddenly found it hilarious.

When we applied for colleges, we had agreed to go to the same school.

Yet, behind my back, an hour before the application deadline, they both changed their choices to the neighboring university.

They kept me in the dark for half a month, and I only found out when the acceptance letters arrived.

At the time, Julian had made up a cheap excuse.

"The geology program is just better here, Avery. We couldn't just compromise our futures for you."

Chloe had chimed in, "It's fine! The campuses are right next to each other. We're practically still together."

But for three years, I was always the one walking back to my dorm alone.

I pulled my gaze back, my face blank.

"Sure."

Julians gaze darkened as he stared at me.

Suddenly, he said, "Actually, let me walk you back."

But in the next second, Chloe groaned.

"Oh, but class is starting soon, Julian. Avery can walk back by herself, right?"

Julian frowned, looking at me silently.

I said calmly, "Don't worry about me."

His brow instantly cleared. "Alright, I'll walk you back next time."

I turned and walked away.

After only a few steps, I pulled out my phone and texted Julian:

[Let's break up.]

Not long after the message sent, I heard hurried footsteps behind me.

Julian caught up, grabbing my hand tightly.

"Why are you suddenly saying this? Stop joking around."

"I'm not joking."

Julian let out a soft laugh, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear.

"Have you just been in a bad mood lately? Talk to me."

He glanced back in Chloe's direction.

"But don't bring this drama to Chloe. It's finals week and she's super stressed. Don't distract her."

I froze.

It wasn't until my chest ached with a dull pain that I snapped back to reality.

Even when I broke up with him, Julian didn't take it seriously.

His only concern was Chloe.

Before Chloe came into our lives, Julian and I were childhood sweethearts who knew each other best.

When we were kids, Julian would fight anyone who called me slow.

When we grew up, he would spend hours helping me study.

Even when my parents got divorced and abandoned me, Julian used his savings and part-time tutoring money to help pay my tuition.

But the moment Chloea girl who seemingly "needed more taking care of"appeared, it was always my turn to step aside.

By now, Chloe's frantic texts were already buzzing on his phone.

Julian quickly wiped a tear from my cheek.

"I have class. Go back and calm down first."

I had heard that phrase a thousand times.

Every time I argued with him because of Chloe, it always ended with him telling me to "calm down."

As if the problem was always me.

While he stood on the sidelines, never once validating my feelings.

That night, Julian only sent one text:

[Don't forget to take your pain meds.]

Looking at the text, my leg was throbbing.

It was an old injury from my years of competitive dancing.

In my past life, it had gotten so bad after graduation that I needed major surgery.

But right before the surgery, Julian and Chloes two-year research project lost its funding, halting their experiment.

At that time, I was working at the lab by day and teaching dance at night to raise money, but it was barely a drop in the bucket.

Seeing them so stressed and depressed after their funding applications kept getting rejected, I took my surgery money and filled their gap.

The experiment went on.

But that was the single biggest regret of my life.

Six months after giving up my surgery, I had a sudden flare-up during a freelance performance and fell off a three-foot stage.

At the hospital, the doctor looked at the MRI and sighed.

"The nerve damage is severe. If you had come in six months ago, we could have saved it. But now, you'll likely walk with a permanent limp."

I remember sitting on that hospital bed, staring at the white walls.

I called Chloe and Julian.

Neither picked up.

I called one of their lab colleagues.

The colleague sent me a video.

[It's someone's birthday, so the whole lab came out to celebrate!]

In the video, Julian and Chloe were sitting close together in the corner of a karaoke bar.

Amidst the roaring laughter of their friends, they were playing a game, passing a cookie mouth-to-mouth.

Their eyes locked in an intimate gaze that made it look like they were actually kissing.

The neon lights in the video were blinding, and my chest felt like it was being ripped open.

It wasn't until the next day that Julian finally called me back.

He said dismissively:

"A limp? It's fine. Worst case, you just don't dance anymore."

"Honestly, performing in public all the time wasn't a great look anyway."

He seemed to have completely forgotten whose surgery money had funded his precious experiment.

The cold sensation of the pain patch snapped me out of my memories.

I immediately booked an appointment with an orthopedic specialist for the next day.

At the hospital, the doctor looked at my scans, his expression serious.

"We caught it early. If we do the surgery now, you can fully recover and keep dancing."

"But before the surgery, you must avoid any strenuous activity. If it worsens, the damage might become irreversible."

Since summer break was just around the corner, I let out a breath of relief.

When I got back to the dorms, I bumped into Chloe and Julian at the entrance.

Julian saw the medical envelope in my hand and frowned.

"What's that?"

I brushed him off. "Just a routine scan."

Julian nodded and didn't press further.

Because a sobbing Chloe was far more urgent.

"Avery, why do you want to break up with Julian? Is it because of me?"

"Julian and I are just friends! You're the most important person to me, how could you doubt us?"

I stared at her silently.

I couldn't help but think of my past life. After Julian's accident, Chloe couldn't accept it and blamed me for everything.

"If you hadn't kept texting him the night before, he wouldn't have been so tired! He wouldn't have made that mistake!"

Because of Chloes words, everyone had turned their anger on me.

Even the local media picked up the story.

I was cyberbullied until I fell into severe depression, almost taking my own life.

Now, hearing her fake-crying, I asked her directly:

"Chloe, don't you love Julian?"

Chloes eyes widened in panic, and she stammered:

"How could I take your boyfriend? Besides, if we wanted to be together, we would have done it long ago. Why would he even be with you if he liked me?"

Julian looked at me, thoroughly disappointed.

"Avery, you shouldn't doubt Chloe. She's the one who cares about you the most."

His voice carried a commanding tone.

"Apologize to Chloe."

I looked at him.

"I don't know if she cares about me, but you definitely care about her."

Julians face darkened. Chloe stopped crying and stepped in front of Julian.

"How can you say that to him? Has he not been good enough to you? Without him, you wouldn't even be in college!"

To protect Julian, Chloe didn't hesitate to drag up my painful past.

Ignoring the stinging ache in my chest, I walked right past them.

Chloe wanted to chase after me, but Julian held her back.

"Forget it. She doesn't appreciate your concern. Look at you, crying like a wet kitten."

I heard Chloe sniffle.

Julian comforted her gently.

"She's just throwing a temper tantrum. We won't actually break up. We'll both always be here for you."

I let out a bitter laugh.

The moment I got back to my room, I submitted my application for the study abroad exchange program.

My academic advisor called me to confirm.

"This exchange spot is only for your current major. You're sure you don't want to transfer to Geology anymore, right?"

Thinking of Julian's smug confidence, I replied without a second of hesitation, "Yes, I'm sure."

The next morning, Chloe texted me:

[Avery, I was too harsh yesterday. Don't take it to heart.]

[Julian said you're in a bad mood. Let's go hiking this weekend to clear your head! You love hiking, right?]

In my past life, I had only lied about loving hiking because I wanted to accompany them on their field trips.

Just as I was about to reject her, Julian called, his tone helpless.

"Just say yes, Avery. Otherwise, she's going to keep waiting outside your dorm."

"My leg is injured. I can't hike," I said coldly, then hung up.

But they actually showed up at my dorm anyway, blocking my way.

Julians tone left no room for argument.

"It's a short trail, and there's a cable car at the top. It won't affect your leg."

I was practically forced into the car between the two of them.

There were other classmates in the car.

On the way, the two of them chatted excitedly with the others, while I sat there like an outcast.

When we got out, Julian naturally reached for my backpack.

"I want mine carried too!" Chloe chimed in, showing no hesitation in her intimacy with Julian.

Julian smoothly took her bag as well.

It was only when we started climbing that I realized this was actually Chloe's geology field project.

I was just a tag-along.

Halfway up, my leg started throbbing with a dull, burning pain.

"I'm stopping."

Chloe gave me an annoyed look, said nothing, and kept climbing.

Julians patience was wearing thin.

"Didn't I already carry your bag for you?"

Someone else in the group rolled their eyes as they passed me.

"Sighing after just a few steps? Why did a newbie even come along?"

I threw my hiking pole aside and started walking back down.

Julian blocked me, clearly irritated.

"It's dangerous to go down alone. Just keep going up, the cable car station is right ahead."

We walked for what felt like hours. The sky turned pitch black, but there was still no sign of the cable car.

My leg was shaking from the pain. I asked again, "Where is the cable car?"

This time, the entire group fell silent.

Chloes voice trembled.

"We took the wrong trail."

I looked at Julian in disbelief.

He pressed his lips together, silent.

Someone called search and rescue.

But since our location was unclear, they couldn't give us an estimated arrival time.

Fear began to spread. I whispered, "Julian, my leg really hurts."

Before he could speak, someone snapped.

"Can you stop complaining? If you're sick, why did you even join our project? You just wanted to hitch a ride on Julian's coattails for credits, didn't you?"

Others chimed in.

"His actual girlfriend is right here, how is she not embarrassed?"

Looking at Chloe's shifting gaze, I finally understood.

In their eyes, Julian and Chloe were the couple, and I was just the shameless third wheel.

Sweating from the sheer agony in my leg, I slid to the ground, too exhausted to explain.

Julian finally barked at them, "Everyone calm down! Don't take your anger out on her."

After handing me an emergency painkiller, Julian knelt in front of me.

"I'll carry you back down the way we came."

But Chloe suddenly whimpered, "Julian, I'm scared of the dark."

Julian froze.

"We have flashlights."

She clutched his sleeve. "I'm still scared without you."

Someone spoke up. "Julian, you should take Chloe down first. She's fragile."

Others agreed. "Yeah, and Chloe's project is really important."

In the pitch black, every sound was amplified.

I could hear my own racing heartbeat, the mockery in their voices, and Julians heavy sigh as he stood up after a moment of hesitation.

"Wait here for the rescue team. I'll take Chloe down first and then come back for you."

I reached out, my hand trembling as I grabbed his wrist.

"Don't go, Julian. I really can't wait."

But Julian coldly peeled my fingers off.

"Your leg isn't that bad, Avery. The painkiller will kick in soon."

The sound of Julians footsteps fading as he carried Chloe down the mountain echoed in the dark.

I sat on the cold dirt, completely hollowed out.

The mountain wind was freezing, biting against my tear-stained face.

I don't know how long I waited, but right before I passed out, the rescue team finally reached me.

When Julian finally arrived at the hospital, he was met with the tense, awkward faces of his teammates.

The bright red "IN SURGERY" light above the door made his chest tighten.

What was happening?

Why was Avery in surgery?