Chapter 4
The group chat was buzzing about our first reunion since graduation.
Jake never responded. Too busy, probably.
So I went. Figured I’d catch up with old friends, clear my head.
The restaurant I’d always wanted to try. Jake could never find the time before.
Same crowd, same topic-him.
“You two were like campus royalty back then. Same company after graduation too-you must be married by now?”
“You guys are so cute together. Saw his post yesterday, that silhouette shot of you stargazing. Why didn’t he come tonight?”
I checked Jake’s social media. Nothing.
He’d blocked me.
About to tell everyone we’d broken up when someone pointed outside.
“There he is! I knew it-you two were attached at the hip in college.”
Through the window, Jake in the white hoodie I’d bought him. That soft, warm smile.
For a second, I was back in that perfect summer when we were everything to each other.
Then I saw Mia behind him.
Matching hoodies. Like some cute college couple.
Bandage gone, arm healed.
le clearly hadn’t known about the reunion. Held the door for her:
Canceled work drinks to meet your friends.”
le froze when he saw me. Tried to look away.
ut our classmates spotted him:
Jake! Get over here-who’s this?”
ll eyes on them.
ven the college kids at the next table were staring.
ake looked straight at me, like he wanted to explain.
ut Mia went red, tugged his sleeve:
My friends are watching. Please don’t embarrass me.”
lis jaw tightened. After a long pause, he made his choice.
One guilty glance at me, then looked away.
My girlfriend, Mia.”
When did he stop caring about my feelings?
At work, with friends-always choosing her over me.
Watched him introduce her around while everyone awkwardly called her “Ms.Reed,” shooting me worried looks.
I didn’t belong here.
Light rain outside.
I stood under the awning, flagging down a cab.
Someone grabbed my arm.
Jake, eyes down:
“It’s raining. Let me drive you.”
“Your girlfriend’s inside. Don’t bother.”
His face tightened, impatient.
“She’s chatting with everyone. I’ll come back for her. Let me take you home first.”
No explanation.
I didn’t need one.
I stared out the window while he rambled:
“After I fired her, things got rough. I felt guilty, wanted to help her out.”
“Calling her my girlfriend was just to save face. Don’t worry-when we send out wedding invites, everyone will understand.”
“Once this blows over, we’ll do the parent meeting again…”
“Jake.” I cut him off. “If you’d known firing her would hurt her, would you still have chosen me?”
Silence.
Jake regretted picking me.
I closed my eyes, pretended to sleep.
Heard him sigh, barely a whisper:
“Either way, I won’t abandon you.”
But love needs certainty. One choice.
Jake, you couldn’t give me that.
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.