Once Our Love Shone No More

"Jocelyn? Say something! I asked you a question. Where are you right now?" Zac Starfell asked through clenched jaws. He could barely contain his anger.

I, Jocelyn Cooper, snapped back to reality, took a deep breath, and was about to answer.

"I'm at–"

"Zac–" Keira Johnson's weak voice came from the other end. "Forget about the queue. Let's just grab something at another restaurant nearby. I think my blood sugar might be a little low."

"You have low blood sugar?"

Zac's voice immediately became tense. The call ended.

A moment later, he sent me the location of the other restaurant.

[On your way here, stop by a pharmacy and get some anti-itch cream. I don't know how, but Keira got bitten by mosquitoes all over.]

I laughed bitterly at myself. Suddenly, tears rolled down my cheeks.

A nurse walked over and handed me a packet of tissues.

"Aren't your friends here yet?"

My nose stung, but I forced a smile.

"They had something to take care of. They'll be here soon."

By the time my IV drip was done and I was able to walk out of the hospital on my own, it was already completely dark.

My boyfriend and my best friend didn't even send me another message or call me once.

When I returned to the hotel, the room was dark. Neither of them had returned yet.

I packed my things and bought a ticket for the next train. It was a standing ticket for a seven-hour journey.

Zac had said Keira had never been on a plane before, but this was my first time too. I had never even left the small town where I grew up.

I had worked a summer job for an entire month, standing for more than ten hours every day brewing coffee, just to save enough money for my plane ticket and the trip.

Zac knew all of this, yet he had never once mentioned using his points to get a ticket for me.

It was nothing more than an excuse.

Keira wanted to come along, and he would have bought her a ticket no matter how expensive it was.

It was just to make someone like me, who insisted on splitting the bill, look dumb and pretentious.

When the elevator doors opened, Zac was standing outside with Keira on his back.

Keira's face was pressed against Zac's neck. It looked like she was teasing him.

When he saw my expression, he patted Keira. I told him to put her down.

"Jocelyn, don't get the wrong idea. My ankle got rubbed raw by my shoes–"

"Jocelyn!"

Zac didn't let go. He stared at me with a gloomy expression.

"Why are you carrying your luggage? Where are you going?

"Do you know how long we've been looking for you? Jocelyn, can you act like an adult for once? If you have a problem or you're upset, communicate properly. You disappeared without saying a word. Do you think that's funny?"

I snorted on the inside.

'Did you even look for me? Weren't you two having a wonderful time on the boat ride while watching the light show?'

I was too exhausted to argue. I lowered my head and circled past them to head outside.

After I stepped through the hotel's glass doors, Zac chased after me and grabbed my wrist.

"Jocelyn!"

His breathing was unsteady. He was holding back his anger.

"I'm sorry. It was my fault. I shouldn't have yelled at you. I was just too worried about you.

"It's getting late. Come back inside with me. Aren't we going to the beach tomorrow? You've been looking forward to it for so long. I promise I'll take plenty of pictures of you. I won't ignore you again."

'See? I knew he understood it all, but he simply didn't care enough to take any action. He always chose Keira.'

"Hey, buddy! Your girlfriend just fainted!" The receptionist suddenly shouted.

Zac immediately let go of me and ran back inside.

"Keira–"