Breeze Through the Blaze

My childhood friend called, saying he was trapped in a fire.

He wanted to hear my voice one last time, and I rushed to the scene as fast as I could.

But in that small, blazing spot, there was only a cat.

Stumbling, I got the cat out, but my arms got burned.

A crowd gathered, pointing at me and laughing hysterically.

"She actually went for it?"

"What a simp, risking her life like that!"

Safe and sound, Colin Porter stepped out of the crowd with a grin.

He picked up the cat from my arms and handed it to his crush. "See? I told you the cat would be fine. When have I ever lied to you?"

Turning back to me, he said, "The cat got spooked and ran into the fire. We didn't know what to do, so we called you. Thank you for your help."

The people around us snickered, like they were watching a trained dog.

Later, on my wedding day, my husband carried me to the car.

Colin, dragging his burned, bloody legs, crawled on the ground.

He begged, "I'm hurt, Selena! Come help me!"

...

A phone call almost got me killed in a fire.

I burst out of the flames, clutching a terrified cat.

Outside, beside the geared-up firefighters, there were a bunch of familiar faces. They laughed, calling me the ultimate simp.

Leading the pack was none other than my childhood friend, Colin Porter.

He had called me an hour ago, claiming he was dying in a fire. Now he was unscathed, spotless.

I realized this was just another prank of his.

My strength drained away. The pain was so bad I couldn't even question him.

That was Colin, a prank lover. Ever since I confessed my feelings ten years ago, I'd been dragged into his games.

The first time, he tested my sincerity, making me search for his lost watch in a snowstorm.

Succeeding, I'd earn a chance to pursue him. Unfortunately, I never found it, only ending up hospitalized with frostbite.

He visited and flashed the watch on his wrist, saying I passed the test. I could never forget that smirk on his face.

Years later, he still hadn't gotten tired of these games.

He strode toward me. I thought he'd apologize, but he didn't.

Instead, he carefully took the cat from my arms and trotted back to Joyce Sherman.

His voice was as sweet as syrup. "See? I told you I'd get the cat back. When have I ever lied to you?"

She was touched. "Thank you, Colin. If Queenie got hurt, I'd never forgive myself."

He felt bad, wiping her tears.

The crowd cheered for them and mocked me.

"Prince Charming and Cinderella in real life. The ugly duckling needs to know her place."

"Ha, that's a bit too on-the-nose."

"Is she gonna cry now?"

I'd chased Colin for ten years, but I never even got close to his circle.

They preferred Joyce, who'd been abroad and strung Colin along for a decade. In their minds, I was an outsider ruining their clique.

I walked down the stairs, my arms swollen from the burn, but the pain made everything clearer.

Colin finally noticed my mood, tossing out a half-hearted line. "Thanks, Selena. The cat ran into the fire, and we had no choice but to call you."

His friends erupted in jeers.

"Man, you're so polite. She might ask you to marry her."

"You're done for, Colin. She's gonna cling to you."

Joyce stepped in front of Colin, protective. "Guilt-tripping is not cool. Queenie's my cat. If you've got a problem, take it up with me."

Colin frowned at me. "Don't make this awkward, or we can't even be friends."

I watched his sanctimonious act, then held up my phone to show a payment code. "Could you cover the cat rescue and my medical bills?"