The Sixth Day of Orientation Chapter 1

On the sixth day of freshman orientation, the heat was brutal. Liam handed his “best friend” Chloe a cold bottle of water while I stood right there, sweating in the sun.

This time, I didn't cry. I just calmly told him it was over.

“All this over a bottle of water?” Liam scoffed.

“Yes.”

He let out a dry laugh. “Fine. Try to stay mad for more than three days this time, Maya. I could use the peace and quiet.”

His friends started jeering. “Go easy on her, man. Your girl is a ten. If you don't watch out, some frat guy is gonna swoop in.”

Liam just shook his head. “She’s too high-maintenance. She starts a fight over every little thing.”

“Her parents had a full-ride set up for her in London, but she chose a local state school and a major she hates just to be with me.”

“Trust me,” he added, “three days of the silent treatment is her absolute limit.”

I stayed silent.

I had loved him for seven years. I followed him to this university, making him the center of my entire youth. But what he didn't know was this:

When something doesn't fit, you drop it. When a person isn't right, you start over.

I’d already processed the withdrawal papers. I applied to a school abroad, and as soon as my visa clears, I’m gone.

Liam, I’m done chasing you.

* * *

After the breakup, Liam was the first one to block me.

Then his “sister,” Chloe, called me. I was in the middle of deleting photos and my thumb slipped—I accidentally hit "Accept."

The video feed popped up. A group of them were at a rowdy sports bar, the atmosphere loud and thick with the smell of wings and beer.

“So, you really blocked her?” one of them asked. “You think she’s actually going to come crawling back?”

“Aren't you worried she might actually be done for real?”

Hearing his friends, Liam just shook his head and took a long swig of his beer.

“You guys don't get it. Maya can't live without me.”

“She’s a bit slow,” he continued. “Her parents had a whole life planned for her in the UK, but she threw it away to follow me here. She even took a spot in a major she doesn't like just to stay close.”

He said it with total conviction. “She’ll last three days tops. Then she’ll be right back here, following me around like a puppy.”

Chloe, wearing a tiny crop top, leaned in and draped an arm over his shoulder. “Wow, look at our Liam. Such a heartbreaker.”

The guys laughed. “Seriously, take it easy. She’s cute, and it’s only freshman year. Some senior is gonna snatch her up.”

Liam smirked, completely unfazed. “Let them. I could use the break. Once she realizes nobody treats her as well as I do, maybe she’ll actually learn how to behave.”

Another guy chimed in. “Man, you’re cold. If I had a girl that looked like a literal doll, I’d be worshiping her. I definitely wouldn't block her.”

Liam sighed, looking genuinely annoyed. “It’s just... she’s exhausting. We’ve been at orientation for six days and she’s cried four times, always about Chloe.”

“Chloe was having a rough day, so I brought her a drink. Maya wouldn't even listen to me. She just started a scene. I don't know how she got this spoiled.”

Chloe shrugged, playing the "cool girl" perfectly. “It’s fine. If she hates me that much, I’ll just stay away from you. I don't want to be the reason you guys fight. I’m not trying to make things hard for you, bro.”

The guys immediately took her side. “Maya’s definitely being dramatic.”

“Is it just girl jealousy? Chloe’s basically one of the bros, but let’s be real—she’s got the body and the face. Maya’s 'cute,' but cute doesn't win against sexy.”

Before Chloe could reply, Liam frowned. “Cut it out.”

“Maya is my girlfriend, and Chloe is my best friend. They’re both important to me. I’m not actually trying to break up with Maya; I’m just trying to break her habit of being so sensitive. She’s such a crybaby; she’d drive a saint crazy.”

I couldn't listen anymore. I hung up.