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The One They Always Left Behind
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Throughout our four years of college, Derek would always book train tickets for me and my best friend, Giselle, whenever we traveled home for semester breaks. He always claimed he was too late in getting the tickets, so we never ended up sitting together. Every time the tickets were issued, Giselle would tear him apart in our group chat. "Seriously, Derek? You booked three tickets and somehow managed to put us in three different cars. "Next time, you’d better at least make sure you’re sitting next to Iris, or I’ll be coming after you." Derek fired right back. "Who the hell do you think you are? I’d sit at her feet if she asked me to. It’s none of your business." I bought their story. Even when I spent hours sitting alone, or when I came down with a fever during the night ride and tried Derek’s number more than a dozen times without success, I told myself he was probably asleep in another part of the train. Then came our graduation trip. Someone asked if I would switch seats with them. I grabbed my suitcase and made my way down the aisle, only to find Giselle, my jacket propped over her shoulders, and her head resting on Derek’s shoulder. The two of them were sharing a pair of earbuds. Spotting me, Derek pulled out his earbud and straightened his back. "Just so we’re clear, we’ve been careful about boundaries. "I was worried you’d feel uncomfortable knowing we were sitting next to each other, so I kept it from you." Giselle patted the seat next to her. "I’m your best friend. Wouldn’t you rather have me sitting next to your boyfriend, making sure he behaves, than some random girl?" Before I could say a word, a conductor came over carrying two matching luggage tags with a smile. "According to our records, you always booked two seats together on all of your sixteen trips in the last four years. Here is a little something to commemorate your journeys with us." The conductor noticed me and reviewed the booking information again. "You must be the friend who always travels with them. "That’s strange. Why do you always book a seat separate from them?" The entire car went silent. The truth dawned on me when I saw the discoloration on Derek’s face. They had never once been apart during the train trips. For four years, the single seat left apart from theirs had always been mine.
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The One They Always Left Behind Chapter 9
Six months later, the new route I’d been working on officially went live. That day, our itinerary took us past the railway station. Once the tour group got off the bus, I led them across the old platform, sharing stories about the railway’s history and the routes that once ran through the station. Someone asked, "You are very knowledgeable on the subject. Do you often take the train?" I grinned. "I used to." After the tour ended, Desmond passed me a letter. "Your mother had this delivered." The envelope bore nothing except Derek’s name. There was no long explanation, just the address of a café and a short note. "Just one last talk, then I’ll leave you alone for good." I wasn’t planning on going. However, when the time came, I arrived at the meeting place on time anyway. Derek was already sitting there. He had lost a lot of weight in the last six months since we last met. Spotting me, Derek rose to his feet. "Thank you for coming." I took a seat across
The One They Always Left Behind Chapter 8
Three days after Derek took off, our campus group chat blew up out of nowhere. Giselle posted a long message. According to her, there had never been anything inappropriate between Derek and her. As for the sixteen train journeys where they sat together, she claimed that Derek bought the tickets. It wasn’t as if she had a say in the matter. Apparently, Giselle had no idea I hadn’t been invited to parties. She was only notified at the last minute, and she had no idea I hadn’t been invited.The job and the apartment were Derek’s decisions. She was only following his lead. She even made it a point of tagging me. "We were besties for four years. I’d always considered you my closest friend."I don’t get it. Why did you dump all the blame on me over some guy?" It didn’t take long for others to stand up for her. "It sucks to be Giselle." "Derek was the boyfriend. Why is it Giselle’s job to manage his boundaries?" "It’s been a month since the breakup. It does feel a bit mu
The One They Always Left Behind Chapter 7
A month later, I settled into a new job back home. My job was designing and managing cultural walking tours and sightseeing routes around the city. I led visitors through the old part of town, the museum, and the old train station. I also prepared tour s and gathered feedback to improve the routes. The day my first tour route officially launched, I spotted a familiar name on the booking list. It was Derek. I didn’t reach out to him, nor did I cancel his reservation. Since he paid for a spot, he was no different from any other customer. At nine in the morning, I was at the assembly point distributing audio guides and tour brochures.Derek fell in at the back of the line. When it was his turn, he didn’t put his hands out to accept the items. "I’m not here for a tour." I shoved the itinerary guide into his hands. "I’m on the clock right now. Everything else can wait until the tour is over." Derek had no choice but to trail behind the tour group. Along the way, I
The One They Always Left Behind Chapter 6
After the photo session, Derek came up to me again. "We need to talk." Dad placed himself between us. "She has already made herself clear." Derek gripped the flowers in his hands hard. "Mr. Miller, I just need a word with her." I told my parents to wait at the side. Derek presented me with the bouquet, but I didn’t accept the flowers. He placed the flowers on a nearby bench before murmuring, "I gave up the apartment. "I’ve wired you the money for the security deposit and furniture. "The job offer at Westbrook is yours to keep. Mom has already gotten in touch with the people there." I met his eyes. "I won’t be taking the job at Westbrook. "Derek scowled. "I thought you had always wanted to work in the same city as me?" "That was before. I don’t anymore." Derek opened his mouth. The seniors were just coming out of the auditorium when our student representative called everyone together for one final group picture Giselle was there too. Cradling her grad
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