All Chapters of The Last Thing I Learned: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I opened my mouth to speak, but Natalie was already talking."Ethan does not like flashy romantic gestures."We agreed a long time ago that we would only exchange handwritten letters for graduation. We care more about understanding each other and having a real emotional connection than spending money on gifts."She pulled open a drawer and handed me a letter. The envelope was sealed with a piece of tape slapped across it carelessly.Ronald sat down on the couch and raised an eyebrow at me."I am honestly jealous. You two are so pure."Natalie looked at him, and her expression softened without her even realizing it."He is different from you. You need those little romantic gestures. Ethan is mature. He does not care about things like that.""True. Ethan has always been more mature than me. Unlike me, I actually like those pointless little surprises."I did not respond. I lowered my head and opened the envelope.The first line read:[Ethan, throughout these four years, we have

The driver rolled down the window and honked. Natalie glanced at the time, then turned and climbed into the van."I am going to follow the van and help deliver Ronald’s things to his new place. Then I will go to the airport with him. Hurry up and manage your own schedule. Do not be late."The van drove away, its exhaust stirring a few scraps of colored paper left over from the graduation ceremony.I pulled my suitcase free from the crack between the paving stones and flagged down a taxi.The driver leaned out the window."Where to?"I shoved my luggage into the back seat and closed the door."The airport."As the taxi merged onto the elevated highway, Natalie sent me a spreadsheet.[Detailed Graduation Trip Budget]The final line read:[Ethan’s outstanding balance: $1,260]A voice message followed."Remember to transfer the money. Do not put it off and mess up the accounts later."I did not open it.The school gates grew smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror.The a

On my third day at the company, I worked overtime until nine that night.Our project team ordered dinner, and everyone gathered around their desks to eat.Someone set a bowl of hot soup on my desk."You might not know this since you just started, but the company covered our overtime meals. You do not have to pay for your own."I paused."Thank you."The person waved a hand."Do not worry about it. Eat up first. You need the energy to finish those design revisions."I lifted the lid, and a cloud of steam rose into my face.Inside was a bowl of chicken and rice soup, filled with tender pieces of chicken and soft vegetables.I scooped up a spoonful, and suddenly I remembered the time I had a fever the previous winter.That day, I had leaned against the walls as I made my way to the pharmacy. When I returned, the lights in my apartment hallway had gone out, leaving the entire corridor in darkness.Natalie had sent me a link.[$5 off a $30 purchase at the pharmacy.]Below it,

I tapped the audio file. Ronald’s voice came through first."Natalie, what do you mean? You agreed to all of this willingly, did you not?"Natalie’s voice followed immediately."That was then. You need to pay at least half of the travel expenses, hotel price difference, flight change fees, and scuba‑diving activity.""So, you split everything with Ethan, and now you want to split everything with me, too?""Ronald, this is not a small amount of money."Ronald let out a short laugh."Oh, now you care about money? When you bought me sneakers, movie tickets, and couples’ meals, why did you not worry about the cost then?"Natalie’s voice dropped."Do not bring those things up.""Why not?"Did you not like taking care of me? Did you not say that Ethan was too rational, and that I was the only one who made you feel needed?"The recording cut off.I did not listen to it a second time.Ronald called me. His voice was frantic."Ethan, I really know I was wrong. Natalie has gone cr

Nora and I got together the following spring.That day, I had been revising my design plans until midnight, and I still had to catch a flight the next morning.She was waiting for me downstairs with breakfast and the medicine I usually took."Your stomach hurt again last night, did it not?"I froze."How did you know?""You like drinking iced Americanos while working on your designs. You had two yesterday."She handed me a container of hot soup."Eat a few bites before you head to the airport.""How much was it?"She opened the spoon and placed it inside the soup."Ethan, you can slowly break yourself of that habit."I told you, not every kind gesture needs to be immediately repaid."I lowered my head and stirred the soup, letting the steam rise against my face."If it makes you uncomfortable, you can buy me dinner next time. However, you do not have to treat every little thing like you are settling a bill."I held the spoon, my throat tightening."I used to…""I know.