Chapter 2

Lily:

Words couldn't capture the betrayal I felt in that moment. It was like everything had shattered around me. I had almost forgotten how to breathe. Only sadness and anger fueled me.

He was cheating on me. Felix, the man who had made me so many promises. I'd been warned by my father that the average man made a lot of empty promises. I just never thought of Felix as average.

I didn't want to break down in front of him, so I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. I clenched my teeth together, waiting for him to finally say something. Anything.

"Babe, I swear I can explain." He jumped up, holding a pillow over his crotch as if both of us hadn't already seen him naked multiple times before.

But I was too angry to make rational decisions right now. I grabbed the car keys, picked my bag up off the ground, and rushed out the door. I could hear him following behind me, but he stopped suddenly at the door. He couldn't follow me outside. He wasn't dressed yet.

Good. What I needed right now was some carrot cake and my friends. When I got to the car, I finally let it all out—not that I could've held back the flood of tears if I'd tried.

This wasn't fair. I'd thought we had something special, Felix and I. But I didn't tolerate cheaters. He knew that damn well, yet he still did this.

I sniffled, bringing my sleeve up to wipe away the tears. I had to start paying more attention to the road or I'd get myself into an accident. I stared out through waterlogged eyes as I came closer and closer to the cafe. I was desperately hoping my friends were there. Andre usually worked the same shift with Ines and I after school. I hoped today wouldn't be an exception. He needed the money just as much as we did, so he probably wouldn't skip a shift. Madison, our fourth friend, didn't work with us, but she often came to the cafe to study. So, occasionally, I got lucky and was able to hang out with all of them at once. I was hoping today was one of those days.

I arrived at the cafe and parked the car. I took deep breaths, but each time I closed my eyes, I kept seeing that woman on top of Felix. And, God, each time their moans disgusted me even more. I wiped at my tears, but they just kept flowing. I never thought I'd cry over a guy like this.

I heard a loud knock on my window and jumped a little. I looked over and saw Andre standing there with the most confused and worried look on his face.

"Hon, are you ok?" Andre asked, signaling for me to roll down my window.

I did as he asked and looked up at him. I wanted to lie at first, but if anyone could get me through this it, was my friends. Plus, it would be difficult to lie when my eyes were a water spigot.

"No, I'm not. I-I— " I admitted, struggling to get the words out. My breaths were too short, sending me into a slight panic.

"Ok, deep breaths, Lils, deep breaths," Andre tried to calm me down. He rested his hand over mine, rubbing it with his thumb very gently and slowly.

"I—" I wanted to explain, but nothing came out except more tears and the tiniest of choking sounds.

"Do you want me to get the others?" Andre wondered.

"Please," I forced out with an eager nod.

"Ok." He nodded and rushed back inside. I leaned over to the glove compartment to get some tissues and saw a packet of condoms inside. This car belonged to me, but because Felix's had broken down enough that repairing it would end up costing more than it was worth, I'd let him use my car until he could save up to buy a new one for himself. I didn't have to use the car much anyway, and when I did, it was only for very short trips. I knew these condoms weren't ours because I was allergic to that brand. How long had he been cheating on me?!

I saw my friends walking over and unlocked the doors for them. I watched as they all got in the car one by one. My tears had mostly dried up now, but my eyes were all red and puffy. My "waterproof" eyeliner and mascara didn't seem to be tear-proof, and I was sure I looked like a mess.

"Lily, what's wrong?" Ines asked immediately, her hand going to my back to rub it.

"I—" I wasn't sure what to tell them. I had cried it all out by now, so all I felt was anger, and I didn't exactly handle that emotion too well. "Felix," I answered shortly, taking the napkin Madi handed me and wiping my eyes.

"Oh my god, did something happen to him?" Ines asked worriedly. The look on her face was quite adorable, especially knowing how much it would change once she found out what actually happened.

"Ha!" I laughed humorlessly, shaking my head. "No." I turned in my seat to get a better look at her, Andre, and Madison. "But look what I found," I continued seriously.

"What are—?" Madison asked as I pulled out the condoms I'd just found and presented them to them. "Condoms?" Madison frowned, looking at the packet. One was clearly missing.

"Yep, the fucker's been cheating on me," I huffed, crossing my arms as I looked at them. Saying it out loud sure stung, but it was the truth. I had to deal with it sooner or later.

"I mean, he could've just bought these. I'm not taking his side, by the way. I just want you to be sure," Andre reasoned, picking his words carefully in an effort not to freak me out. I understood where he was coming from. Jumping to conclusion was never a good, idea but this time, I wasn't jumping anywhere. I'd seen everything with my own two eyes.

"Ines helped me take the day off today so I could surprise him, since I knew he'd be home during lunch," I began to tell them the whole story. I knew they only had pieces right now, and they deserved the truth, no matter how ugly. "When I got home, I heard some loud moans, and I looked up to see this brunette on top of him. They were both very much naked, and he was begging her not to stop." I felt Ines place her hand over mine. The look on her face had changed. She was in a state of total disbelief.

"Are you fucking serious right now?" she asked, her mouth hanging open, her blue eyes widening.

"Dead serious," I said in a monotone. I wished this was some kind of joke. Truly. But I didn't think I'd be laughing again any time soon.

"Oh, honey, I'm so, so sorry." Madison reached over, a pitying look on her face. I felt my lips quiver again.

"No, I—" I tried talking again, but I could feel my airways closing up. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a moment. "Damn it," I muttered shakily.

"It's ok to be upset. Let it all out Lily," Andre assured me. But I had never been one to get all emotional. The last time I'd cried this much was when my parents and I had our falling out.

"I just—what did I do wrong? Wasn't I enough?" I wondered aloud. The rational side of me knew I wasn't at fault, but those thoughts still went through my head. I'd loved him so, so, so much, and he'd betrayed me.

"Some men are just plain stupid. They don't realize they have everything and more," Andre replied, trying to make me feel better. But it just didn't work—at all.

"We built so much together," I realized. "We—I—invested everything in us." I shook my head. Maybe I was the stupid one. "I sacrificed so much." My parents had been against all this from the start. I should've listened to them. They'd never liked Felix, but then again, they never liked anyone I brought home.

"Of course, I've been following my own dreams, but he was part of them," I felt the need to clarify.

"Oh, Lily, I feel so terrible for you." Ines pulled me in for a hug that was slightly uncomfortable in the cramped front seat of the car.

"I always knew there was something off about him," Madison mumbled quietly, earning herself glares from Andre and Ines. She wasn't lying, though. She'd told us openly—and often—that she didn't like Felix; however, she'd never tried to break us up, and she'd still included him in everything for my sake. She truly was a great friend, even if she didn't like my boyfriend—ex?

"I guess I should've listened to you," I mumbled, fidgeting with my hands.

"Let's just focus on what you're going to do now," Andre changed the subject. "But, wait, how did he react when you caught him?" he wondered, letting his curiosity get the best of him.

"He gave me a shocked look, followed by a fake apologetic look, and then literally chased after me. But he couldn't follow me past the door to the apartment," I replayed the scene in my head. I could still see it all vividly.

"Did he say anything?" Madison wondered, her head tilted slightly to the right.

"Yeah, something about being able to explain? I don't really remember. It was hard to focus on anything but the image of him and that woman together." I shrugged helplessly.

"Ok, ok," Andre nodded, his face scrunched up in thought for a moment.

"I hope you plan on dumping him." Ines gave me her motherly look.

"You should kick him out too. The lease is in your name, right?" Andre added.

"Right, he hands me cash every month for rent, but I handle all the details," I answered. I thought about what they'd said for a moment. I definitely had to dump him. I couldn't stay with a cheater. No matter what. I wanted him out of my life, but kicking him out too? I didn't want him to be homeless. Then again, knowing Felix, he would find somewhere to crash no problem. And why should I care anyway? He clearly never cared about me.

"Then that's what you'll do," Madison clapped her hands.

"You don't think I should give him time to find a new place?" I wanted confirmation I was doing the right thing.

"Do you still want him around?" Ines wondered. By the look on her face, I knew she wouldn't accept any answer but 'no.' Luckily the words were already on my tongue.

"Not at all," I admitted truthfully. "I'm done with him. I don't want to see him ever again." I shrugged, knowing that every time I saw his face, it would just remind me of his betrayal.

"Then you should go home and kick him out. If you're feeling generous, you could let him grab a few of his things on the way out," Madison suggested. I nodded in agreement. I would do just that. I didn't want his stuff. He'd paid for it himself. Plus, I didn't want any reminders of him.

"I don't want to do it alone. I don't know why, but I'm scared," I said awkwardly. Though Felix had never gotten violent with me, he was still intimidating when he was mad, and I wasn't too sure how he'd handle it when I finally broke up with him and kicked him out.

"I'll come with you," Andre offered.

"Me too," Ines added rapidly.

"We'll all support you. Always." Madison winked at me with a smile on her lips.