you knew?

It was summer break after my junior year of high school. I had a boyfriend, a part-time job at a toy store, and a bunch of friends. Things were going well. Or so I thought.

That summer, my boyfriend seemed a little distant. He was headed out of state for college at the end of the summer, but I still had my senior year of high school. I thought that was the reason for his mood. Apparently I was wrong.

My friend Matt worked at a restaurant lots of kids in our town frequented. He would always tell me who was there with who, and if anything interesting happened. It was all in fun. Until that day.

Matt was telling me about the night before at the restaurant, and in the midst of our conversation, he asked me why I wasn’t there last night with my boyfriend and Jennifer. As soon as he asked the question, his face went pale. Matt knew something. And in that moment, I knew something, too.

My boyfriend had told me he couldn’t see me on the night in question because he had to do something with his brother. Lie. If he and Jennifer were just friends, why would he lie about being with her?

I asked Matt if he’d seen my boyfriend with Jennifer any other times. Matt confessed that he had, and not just at the restaurant. I was devastated.

Me: “He’s been seeing her behind my back. And you knew?“

Matt: “At first, I thought he was just hanging out with a friend because you were busy. That’s what he said when I asked where you were—you were busy.”

Me: “But…?”

Matt: “I started seeing them together a lot. Holding hands, even. I’m sorry. I should have told you. I didn’t want to hurt you.”

I forgave Matt. But I never forgave my boyfriend.

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They would never cheat on me. You know, because they’re only mine in my fantasies.

p.s. — I’m so happy that a few people said they might participate in my not-really-a-challenge, even if just occasionally. Thanks to them and to everyone else for supporting me.  

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