On the eve of our long-awaited graduation trip to the Pacific Northwest, a trip we had planned for three years, he secretly changed everyone's flights to a hot spring resort that the popular girl at school wanted to visit. A friend teased him: "What about your little trip planner? You're just going to leave her to go to the PNW all alone?" "She clings to me so tightly, she'd probably cry if we were apart." My childhood friend paused for a moment before answering carelessly: "It's fine. She has the password to my itinerary doc. She checks it nervously every day. Once she realizes I changed the plans, she'll just buy a ticket and follow us." I didn't question him, and I didn't argue. I just quietly left. I didn't change his itinerary document, and I didn't change my intended destination. I only changed one thing—I changed my college commitment to a university 2,000 miles away from him. He wanted to enjoy the comfort of the hot springs with the popular girl, and I had my own mountains I wanted to conquer. That adventure map, revised through countless days and nights, was no longer just for him. 1 On the night before our trip to the Pacific Northwest, I noticed an edit history on Liam's itinerary document. When I opened it, I realized the destination had been changed to a hot spring resort in a nearby state. Based on the profile picture of the person who made the edit, it was Chloe. Holding my tablet, I walked to the door of Liam's room to confirm with him, but the conversation I overheard stopped me dead in my tracks. He knew perfectly well how much I wanted to hike the PNW trails. During our freshman year of high school, I told Liam my dream was to see the towering mountains and conquer the rugged, dirt trails before I turned eighteen. Back then, Liam firmly promised me that the day we graduated high school, he would help me fulfill that wish. For this trip, he watched me stay up countless nights, creating numerous versions of the route map, yet now, the day before we were supposed to leave, he had changed his mind at the last minute. The conversation in the room continued: "Aren't you worried Maya will be mad?" "It's just a trip. We'll have plenty of opportunities in the future. It's rare for Chloe to ask for something; how could I say no to her?" Rare to ask for something? Liam and I grew up together. During freshman year, he secretly kissed my cheek and told me he had a surprise for me after graduation. But ever since Chloe transferred to our school in sophomore year, everything changed. On my birthday, Chloe said she wanted to go to the beach, so Liam missed my birthday party. During the week of my birthday, I bought myself a small cake. Chloe saw it and said she wanted to eat it, and Liam gave it to her without even asking me. Right before our finals, Chloe said she forgot her pencil case. Liam forcefully took my backpack, leaving me to scramble and beg for help from a teacher on the other side of the school just thirty minutes before the exam started. Afterward, he brushed it off, saying it was no big deal and that he would make it up to me later. "...I guess you're right. A girl as pretty as Chloe, from such a good family, who could resist when she acts cute? Of course you'd agree to anything." "Only a tomboy like Maya, dark and plain, would want to go hiking from dawn to dusk." Finally, Liam let out a mocking laugh, summarizing their entire conversation: "She's just a clingy follower. No matter how much she cries, she'll always chase after me. I can't shake her off; it's so annoying." Laughter echoed from the room. I touched the wall, my heart feeling like it had plunged into an ice box. 2 In a daze, I returned to my room. The computer still displayed the itinerary document I had just opened. My roommate, Harper, noticed my pale face and immediately asked what was wrong. Fighting back tears, I didn't mention eavesdropping. I just casually said the itinerary might change tomorrow. Harper, unaware of the backstory, leaned over to look at the computer. She realized that, except for me, even her flight had been changed. She immediately got angry: "Who told them to touch our itinerary! If they want to go to the hot springs, they can go themselves! Why drag me into it? I don't even want to go!" She was about to go yell at Liam, but I pulled her hand, and the tears I'd been holding back finally fell. Harper then realized that my itinerary hadn't been changed. To make it easier to catch our flight tomorrow, we were all staying at a hotel near the airport. After they changed their tickets, their departure time was nearly two hours earlier than what I had originally booked. If I hadn't discovered this now, I would have woken up tomorrow to find everyone gone, leaving me alone in the hotel. They might not have even answered my calls. Thinking of this, my heart ached fiercely. "Damn Liam, what a complete idiot!" Harper grew even angrier. "Who took him in when he had nowhere to go! What an ungrateful jerk!" Liam and I had been neighbors since childhood. His mother passed away early, and his father worked incredibly hard to raise him, but was diagnosed with cancer during our freshman year of high school. During that time, Liam was busy with finals and taking care of his dad at the hospital every day. I couldn't bear to see him struggle, so I went to the hospital with him every day, hoping to help even a little. Later, when Liam's dad was gravely ill, he took my hand while Liam was out of the room and begged me to take care of Liam. Because my heart ached for Liam, and out of a vague sense of affection, I hastily agreed. After Liam's dad passed away, I explained the situation to my parents. After begging them for days, they agreed to let Liam live with us, treating him like half a son. I had always been timid and lacked initiative. After Liam moved in, I stuck close to him, like a little shadow. My parents even joked that I had found myself a good older brother. Tears streamed down my face. I couldn't understand how the Liam who had held me and cried after his father's death had changed so much. After moving into my house, he held my hand, blushing as he thanked me, earnestly telling me, "Maya, you are the best person in the world to me. As long as you're here, I feel safe." How did that Liam turn into this? How could he mock me so expressionlessly in front of others, as if simply mentioning me was a form of humiliation? After closing the itinerary document, my hands trembled as I reopened my college commitment form. Because of the promise I made to Liam's dying father, I agreed that as long as Liam needed me, I would always be there for him. Because of this, even though my grades were significantly higher than Liam's, I voluntarily chose to attend the same in-state university as him. But perhaps I was wrong. Liam actually didn't need me anymore. Since that was the case, why should I keep clinging to him? After confirming three times, I clicked 'submit', changing my commitment to a university 2,000 miles away on the East Coast. Harper watched my actions, slowly sighed, and then patted my head. I didn't book a new flight, nor did I go knock on the door to confront them about the itinerary. Hiking in the PNW was my dream; my persistence regarding this trip was never for Liam. I wanted to challenge myself, to see the magnificent scenery with my own eyes, to complete an adventure independently, to break free from the timid and cowardly person I used to be. Liam could give up our promise for Chloe, and I could choose to move forward on my own, relying on no one. This time, I wouldn't compromise for Liam anymore. 3 The next day, I purposely woke up early. Before Liam and the others were up, I stood at the hotel entrance with my luggage, along with Harper. Liam was initially looking around the hotel entrance with a hint of nervousness. When he saw me come out early, his nervous expression was instantly replaced by smugness. Liam cleared his throat and said seriously: "Just to let everyone know, Chloe hasn't been feeling well these past few days, and the weather forecast says there might be light rain, making hiking risky. So, for this graduation trip, we're changing our route to a hot spring resort to relax for a couple of days." Chloe stood behind Liam, tugged at his sleeve, and said somewhat sheepishly: "Sorry, Maya, for making you give up your plans to come to the hot springs with me. I just coughed a couple of times; Liam is just being too anxious." Chris immediately chimed in: "Chloe, you're too nice. The point of a trip is to have fun. Why should everyone have to accommodate one person? That would be too dictatorial." I spent so much effort planning the itinerary, coordinating everyone's schedules, spending both money and energy, and in the end, without saying a word, I became the one with a bad temper and dictatorial tendencies? I laughed in exasperation, looked Liam straight in the eye, tried to keep my voice calm, and said: "The itinerary was set long ago, and you're changing the core part just like that? Sorry, my plans aren't changing. I'm going hiking and camping." Perhaps this was the first time in all these years I had held a dissenting opinion against Liam. He frowned at me, looking visibly displeased: "You alone? Are you kidding? It's too dangerous! We changed the tickets, and you saw the itinerary doc. It's not hard to adjust. Besides, we can go to the PNW anytime. At worst, I'll go with you next time..." I interrupted him, my tone unusually calm: "I made the itinerary; even if I go alone, it won't be dangerous. You can give up the adventure for your friends, but I won't. I have scenery I want to see for myself. Chris, Harper, you choose: go to the PNW with me, or go to the hot springs with them." Seeing my rare cold expression, Harper immediately stood by my side. Chris snorted, slowly moved over to their side, and shot me a provocative look. Only Liam's face turned livid: "Maya, do you have to be so stubborn? Are you trying to make everyone unhappy?" I smiled, stopped looking at him, took Harper's hand, and turned to leave: "Unhappy? I'm quite happy. Worry about yourself." Behind me, Liam's look of disbelief followed, as if he hadn't expected me to just turn and walk away. He shouted: "Maya, don't regret this! When the time comes and you beg me, I won't care!" Harper, being pulled along by me, couldn't help but complain: "Is he a child?" 4 On the plane, Harper and I reviewed the plan again. After landing, we contacted the hiking group we had booked earlier, informing them that our group of five had been reduced to two. After arriving at the trailhead and renting our gear, Harper and I officially set off. Although the sun was strong and the wind was fierce, because we had prepared well, neither of us was defeated by the journey. Instead, the further we walked, the more excited we became. Under the reflection of the landscape, I suddenly realized how insignificant my personal troubles were. The thoughts that weren't firm in the past now became increasingly resolute. Looking at the beautiful scenery along the way, I began to feel grateful. Thank goodness I didn't compromise and go to the hot spring village this time, but firmly chose the place I wanted to go. Harper and I tacitly avoided mentioning Liam and his group. We excitedly looked at the travel guide together, checking off every scenic spot we passed. During the trip, Liam called me several times. I calculated the time; he probably called after his flight landed and they had settled in. It was highly likely he was going to try to reconcile. Liam was always like this: a slap in the face followed by a piece of candy. Although he was very impatient with me internally, he always expressed care and gentleness afterward. I often found myself in endless internal conflict because of his soft words and concern afterward. I kept wondering if he was just acting tough, if he actually liked me deep down but didn't know how to say it. But at this moment, I suddenly understood. There's no such thing as acting tough while being soft-hearted. From the moment he acted tough, I should have drawn a clear line with him. As for why Liam treated me this way, perhaps he just didn't want to lose a "clingy follower" like me, someone who would always follow him. The phone ringing annoyed me. Thinking that I had already called my parents in the morning and there was no one else I needed to contact, I simply put my phone in airplane mode, focusing entirely on taking photos and videos with Harper. By evening, Harper and I reached the entrance of the gorge, took out the supplies from our backpacks, and set up a simple camp. As night fell, the temperature dropped rapidly. After putting on the thick jackets we brought, the stars began to appear one by one. In no time, the night sky was a continuous expanse, majestic yet solitary. Unable to reach me, Liam called Harper instead. Harper was changing clothes and just put him on speakerphone. Liam's voice came clearly through the phone: "Where's Maya? Why isn't her phone connecting? Where are you guys, have you settled in? Tell her to stop being petty. The environment here at the hot springs is great. Hurry up and buy a ticket to come over; we saved a room for you." Harper scoffed, said "Screw off," and decisively hung up the phone. We looked at each other and smiled. Looking at the beautiful starry sky, a surge of unprecedented strength welled up from the bottom of my heart. 5 The first day of hiking was tough but surprisingly smooth. As the sky grew darker, we met many other hikers at the campsite. After exchanging experiences, Harper and I replanned our itinerary for tomorrow. After Harper hung up, Liam kept calling persistently. After interrupting our conversation with the other hikers several times, Harper finally answered the phone with a dark expression: "What do you want? Are you done yet?" Liam's tone was anxious as he asked: "Where exactly are you guys? Maya's phone still isn't connecting. Are you safe right now?" Sure enough, it was just as I thought. This was Liam's usual tactic. If it were the old me, no matter how bad my temper was, I would have felt incredibly guilty after hearing those two sentences. Then, without any bottom line, I would go beg Liam for peace. I took Harper's phone and pressed the speakerphone button: "We're traveling. Your constant calls are very annoying." Liam choked for a moment, but laughed after hearing my words: "Still angry? I wanted to tell you about going to the hot springs yesterday. Wasn't I trying to give you a surprise? What's so fun about a bare desert? We can soak in hot springs here and eat lots of delicious food." "I forgot to tell you yesterday. Stop being angry. Be good. If you keep this up, no one will want to deal with you." I listened expressionlessly to Liam's words. He probably thought I was angry just because he decided to go to the hot springs without telling me. He thought that since he was groveling to coax me, this matter should just be dropped. I was just about to sarcastically reply when Chloe's voice suddenly came through: "Yeah, Maya, don't be mad. You've been mad all day, and Liam's mood has been terrible." Hearing her deliberately sweet voice, I frowned. I suddenly felt that answering the phone wasn't a good idea; it ruined my good mood. "It's all my fault... Maya, if you're mad, be mad at me, don't be mad at Liam anymore. Hurry up and buy a ticket to come over; at worst, I'll apologize to you." "Maya, didn't you hear Chloe is about to cry? You need to change that terrible temper of yours; besides me, who else can stand you? I don't care, you book a ticket to come over tomorrow, and then properly apologize to Chloe. Don't ruin everyone's fun just because of yourself." "Shut your mouths, both of you. I can smell the stench through the phone." I sneered: "I'll play my way, you play yours. You still want me to apologize to you? How shameless." Liam was silent for a long time, then warned dissatisfiedly: "Maya, don't push it too far." I hung up the phone without hesitation. 6 A campfire was lit in the camp, and Harper and I shared our dry rations, occasionally receiving some snacks from other tents. Harper chewed on beef jerky next to me, cursing Liam for being a jerk. I was originally angry, but suddenly slowly calmed down. "That bastard, you were so good to him for nothing, he's just an ungrateful jerk! A wicked guy!" I was amused by Harper's indignant appearance, and a wave of warmth flowed through my heart. Looking at the dancing campfire in front of me, I said softly: "It's because I always stayed in the [comfort zone] he drew for me, making Liam feel that I couldn't leave him and would always follow him." I sighed, the galaxy above my head becoming even more beautiful. "Only after taking this trip today did I realize that even without Liam, the sky won't fall. What I liked was the Liam who worked hard with me and looked forward to the future and adventure... perhaps not anymore." Harper looked at me with some confusion. "What I liked might have just been that beautiful emotion representing youth." Harper smiled, patted my back, and shouted: "Then today, let's make a clean break with our youth!" I smiled too, and shouted loudly: "Yes! A clean break with youth!" 7 After successfully completing the hike and camping, Harper and I safely returned to the town and received our "Gorge Hiking Certification" certificates. Both Harper and I had tanned quite a bit, but we looked radiant, as if we had been completely transformed, without the lifeless fatigue from school. The moment we got the certificates, we immediately posted photos holding them on our social media, with the caption: Our own adventure, priceless! Before long, friends started leaving comments under the post. "Maya is so cool!" "Weren't you going on a trip with Liam? Why is it just you and Harper?" "Stop talking nonsense, Liam went to the hot springs with the school beauty, he just posted on his story." When I exited those comments, I happened to see the story Chloe had just posted. An exquisite nine-grid photo of hot spring beauties and high-end Japanese dinners. In the corner of a photo, Liam looked to be smiling somewhat forcedly. I had no heart to care about these things anymore, and casually closed the social media app. It was then that I realized that during the days my phone was in airplane mode, I had received many missed calls from Liam. In my messages, there were also many messages from him. I glanced at them casually. The last message he wrote was still a plea for reconciliation: Maya, when school starts, let's go to campus together. I didn't reply; my mood was complex but calm. The journey was over, and some relationships should also come to an end. 8 After resting at home for two days, Harper sent me the photos and videos she had taken before. I added my own experiences and guides from this trip, carefully edited the video, and posted it on a social media platform. I didn't expect this video to actually gain some traction. Countless people asked for travel guides in the comments, so I simply created a small group and detailed all the guides, maps, and unexpected pitfalls from this trip, hoping to help people who wanted to hike in the PNW like me. After finishing all this, Harper sent me a screenshot of Chloe's social media post. Since returning, I had deleted both her and Liam. In the post, there was a clearly intimate photo in a hot spring hotel room. Liam's back in a bathrobe was in the front, and Chloe was holding his hand from behind. The caption: "The hand I grabbed when I was lost is exceptionally warm. Thank you for being there. /Love." Below were many comments from mutual friends. "The school beauty is making it official, congratulations." "Look at this background, a hot spring hotel suite, tsk tsk." Chris was also jumping around in the comments: "Oh my, going out with the young couple, almost blinded my eyes." Chloe replied to Chris with a shy emoji. Seeing this post, my heart, which I thought had already calmed down, still ached uncontrollably. Until the last ripple also returned to calm, I finally thought self-deprecatingly in my heart: so he was "worrying" about me on one hand, and could "warm" someone else on the other. After turning off the screen, I forced myself not to look at social media anymore, nor to think about the matters between the two of them. Such self-suggestion was indeed quite effective. I was just spacing out when the phone suddenly rang. It was the tour leader of the travel group we met during the gorge hike. As soon as he answered the phone, he said happily: "Maya, do you still remember me? I saw your video a couple of days ago. Our outdoor club is currently recruiting summer youth explorers, responsible for short-route guide assistance and logistics planning. I saw your guides were solid and your adaptability is good. Are you interested in giving it a try?" He added: "Room and board included, there's a subsidy, and you can travel with the group for free." My heart instantly pounded; this was simply a pie falling from the sky! It was a direct affirmation of my abilities! I agreed without hesitation. 9 The next day, as I was packing my luggage preparing to leave, the doorbell suddenly rang. Liam stood outside the door holding my formerly favorite dessert from a bakery, dark circles under his eyes, his tone carrying a deliberate ingratiation: "Maya, you came back and didn't even tell me? Over at the hot springs... actually, I wanted you to relax. The trip, I didn't think it through. There's still more than half of the summer break left. How about I go with you again?" He tried to come over and ruffle my hair like before. I calmly dodged him and said: "No need." "Or do you want to go to the beach? I've checked the flights and hotels, and I've prepared for you..." "Not going." I interrupted him directly. Liam's face darkened again: "Maya, I've given you enough of a way out. How long are you going to be angry? How did you become so petty!" I answered calmly: "I'm not angry, and I don't want to go out and play with you." Liam slammed the cake onto the table next to him and said angrily: "Go or don't go! When you get to college, I won't help you move your luggage. Crying and begging me then won't help!" Liam slammed the door and left. I threw the dessert he brought into the trash and continued organizing my luggage. After joining the outdoor club in the mountains, my daily life became busy and fulfilling. Learning wilderness skills, planning routes, assisting in leading groups... Working in magnificent and diverse landscapes wearing professional gear. When I had free time, I posted photos and videos of leading groups on social platforms, which smoothly gained me a batch of followers. Harper, never one to shy away from excitement, would follow me to lead groups when she had nothing to do, conveniently getting a free short trip out of it. Then she would post photos of me working side-by-side with the mountain scenery on social media, adding the photos we took in the PNW before, and intentionally captioning it: "The continuation of fate, the goddess just has chemistry with everyone~/eating popcorn." That night, Liam used a new number to bombard my phone again. After connecting, his voice was hoarse, sounding with a hint of hidden rage: "Maya, what do you mean? We've only been apart for a few days? Who is that guy! Are you so eager to find a replacement? The hike was also planned by you and him long ago, wasn't it? You just deliberately ditched me!" I was so angered by his absurd accusations that I laughed, saying coldly: "Liam, put away your filthy thoughts. I'm working normally. Furthermore, even if something happened between me and someone else, it's none of your business. My life has had nothing to do with you for a long time." After speaking, I hung up the phone directly and blocked this new number of his as well.
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