Chapter 1

My best friend Brooke once lost a tooth defending me.

My boyfriend Luke won me over with 200 love letters and a sky full of fireworks.

Then, on my 25th birthday, I caught him pressing Brooke against his car, kissing her until her lips were swollen.

“What about Lena?" Brooke asked, her voice trembling.

"I don't want to hurt her," Luke groaned, "But I can't stop wanting you. Tell me what to do."

Then the car began to rock.

I tucked my cancer diagnosis deeper into my pocket and smiled bitterly.

Easy enough.

That night, I booked my assisted suicide.

Snowflakes lashed against my face, sharp and biting. It was the first heavy snowfall of the year.

I stood behind a wall, watching them kiss in the secluded corner.

The hand Luke had wrapped around Brooke's neck still bore the couple's watch he shared with me.

And Brooke was nestled in the very scarf I had knitted for her with my own hands.

After a moment of passionate kissing, they climbed into the car.

I saw the vehicle begin to rock, moans faintly carrying through the frozen air.

My hands and feet had gone numb with cold after waiting half an hour in the relentless snow.

Only when they opened the car door and stepped out did I pretend to have just arrived, raising a hand in greeting.

"You both got here so early?"

"You're the guest of honor today! How could you be late?" Brooke unwound her scarf, the one I'd knitted, and wrapped it around my neck. Her eyes were full of concern. "You're freezing. Why didn't you call me to pick you up?"

That's when I noticed my eyelashes were completely frosted over.

I remembered how Luke used to bundle me in his coat when it snowed, terrified I'd catch a chill.

But now, he only hesitated for a second before finally reaching out to gently brush the snow from my shoulder.

The moment his hand brushed my shoulder, Brooke's expression tightened. She quietly averted her gaze.

Luke immediately stepped back, putting a respectful distance between us.

I shook my head, pretending not to notice, and forced a cheerful grin.

"Oh, come on, I'm not that delicate. Let's get this party started!"

After all, this was my last birthday.

Brooke exclaimed. "Guess what I got you!"

Luke snorted playfully. "My gift is definitely better!"

They fell into their familiar bickering, the easy back-and-forth lightening the mood.

When Luke and I first started dating, Brooke couldn't stand him.

Now, it sounded like playful banter.

I wanted to pretend I couldn't see, that if I didn't turn my head, I wouldn't cry.

But the streetlights cruelly stretched their shadows long.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Luke secretly reach for Brooke's hand.

Their fingers intertwined tightly.

A perfect match.