Part 1She Promised Next Year, but We're Done Now

It is New Year's Eve, so I fix a big spread of dishes for my girlfriend, Lily Heath.

Lily doesn't even spare me a glance. She continues to pack her luggage, saying coldly, "I can't spend New Year's with you this year."

I say nothing at all and simply eat my meal in silence.

Lily's first love, Forrest Zimmer, posts a photo on his social media right as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve.

Lily is leaning affectionately on his shoulder in the photo, with dazzling fireworks lighting up the sky outside. He even has a caption that says, "She said that all I have to do is ask, and she'll leave it all behind for me."

I refrain from throwing a scene or questioning her, merely giving the post a like.

Lily calls me, her voice tense and frantic. "Please don't be upset, Ethan. I'll definitely spend next New Year's with you."

I chuckle bitterly. "It's just a shame that there won't be a next year for the two of us."

* * *

Lily Heath, my girlfriend, returned after the New Year's Day.

I used to meet her at the entrance of our apartment complex, but I skipped it this time. I suddenly received a message from Lily. "Where are you, Ethan?"

I was eating lunch at the moment, so I casually replied to her. "I'm having lunch right now, so just come up on your own."

It was moments later, as I was washing the dishes in the kitchen, that Lily came up hauling her suitcase. She was panting from exhaustion as she looked at me and said, "I haven't eaten either, so make me something, Ethan."

I would have dropped everything to whip up some food for her in the past, but now, I just stated flatly, "I'm not free right now, so head downstairs and get something to eat on your own."

Lily shot me a frustrated look, but she bit her tongue and said, "I get that you're still upset about what happened during the New Year holiday, but don't pull this on me now. I'm really hungry, Ethan."

I dried my hands after washing the dishes and said, "I'm not upset at you."

Lily still wasn't convinced. "Forrest is all by himself in this city, so no matter what our relationship is, I should be there for him."

I responded indifferently. "I get it."

Lily stared into my eyes as if trying to read my mind, then suddenly said wearily, "You're really wearing me out when you act like this. Can you stop acting out, Ethan?"

I looked right back at her and replied, "I'm not acting out, and you don't have to explain yourself to me, Lily."

Lily stared at me silently for a moment before taking out a model airplane from her suitcase and handing it to me. She looked down at me and said flatly, "It's your New Year's gift."

I noticed that the model airplane wasn't properly wrapped, and the box it came in was crumpled. I realized that it was a sharp contrast to the beautifully wrapped one Forrest had posted online. I didn't show a hint of excitement, merely saying politely, "Thank you."

I gave no further response once I said that.

Lily looked briefly displeased and asked me irritably, "Is that all you have to say?"

I replied indifferently, "That's all."

Lily turned livid and thrust her hand out to me. "Where's my gift?"

It only just occurred to me, so I said with an apologetic voice, "I'm sorry, but I totally forgot about it. I'll wire you some money, so go get something yourself."

I picked up my phone and transferred her some money as I said that.

Lily widened her eyes in surprise, as if she couldn't believe I had forgotten; after all, exchanging New Year's gifts every year had been our tradition. I had always kept it up, finding Lily a different gift each year, even when she sometimes forgot to give me one.

In that instant, the atmosphere in the room turned awkward.

I picked up my coat off the couch and opened the door, preparing to head out.

Lily hurriedly called out to stop me. "Where are you going?"

I replied indifferently, "I'm heading out for drinks with friends."

I closed the door behind me as soon as I said that, paying no attention to Lily's shouts.

I stopped drinking entirely once I started dating Lily just because she said she didn't like me doing it. In the end, all of my friends came to view me as a wet blanket, and since they knew how tight my leash was at home, they stopped inviting me to drinks altogether.

I was finally free to drink as much as I pleased.