AN: Mature content and bad words. This chapter has a PG-13 rating 🙂

I shuffle nervously on the porch and look at the sky. We had graduated last week and Tilly and I received an offer for a gaming sponsorship in Bridgeport. Luckily, Selena had gotten a record deal in Bridgeport as well. I take a deep breath to calm my nerves, palming the ring box in my pocket. Then, before I can chicken out, I slide the key into the lock and open the door.

As I shut it I hear a noise from her bedroom. I smile, seeing her applying all her crazy make-up to make herself “beautiful”. Like always, I’d tell her she doesn’t need any of it, then she’d blush, tell me I’m being silly and sweet then kiss me. It’d been three years together. Three mostly perfect years. This was right. Both of our contracts in Bridgeport just made it even more so. I smile to myself and walk across her living room, pushing her door open.

I was not expecting the sight I opened the door to. Instead of being at her dresser messing with her make-up, some guy is on top of her, his shirt off and she only in her undergarments. My heart drops to the floor and the ring box suddenly feels like lead. She notices me after a moment and gasps, pushing the guy off of her and scramble off the bed.

“Jayden, honey, it’s not what it looks like.” She stammers out.

I gather my wits enough to form a sentence. “Oh, so you weren’t spreading your legs for him?”

She looks like I’ve slapped her. “No, not willingly! He was forcing himself. I wasn’t enjoying at all. I swear.”

Her heavy breathing, flushed cheeks, and kisses back to him told differently. “Please, he was not. You were moving with him as much as he was. How dumb do you think I am? I-I can’t-“ My voice catches, unable to tell her we’re over at first. Three perfect years…or so I thought. “We’re done. Have a great fucking life.” I turn before I can ask her how long she’d been going behind my back, before I can ask her if she ever loved me at all. She doesn’t come after me as I walk out of her house and to my car.

I keep myself together even as I drive through town. I don’t know how, I just know that if I break down now I’d likely drive myself into the ocean. My tires crunch in the driveway as I pull up. Before getting out I stop and stare at the house. Mom, dad, and Tilly are inside, waiting for the good news, for their new family member. Tilly was less than thrilled about me proposing. She’s never like Selena, always saying there was something rotten about her. But mom and dad had always been supportive of her.

I get out and walk inside. The three of them are sitting on the couch, waiting expectantly. One look at my expression wipes the smiles from their faces. I turn and head down the hall to my room, unable to tell them. I couldn’t form any words right now even if I wanted. About a minute after my door shuts, I hear it open.

“Jay.” Tilly whispers and I hear her feet move softly across the carpet.

I ignore her.

“Jay, what happened?” She asks.

I know my mom and dad are likely listening. Dad can hear anything on our entire property without trying to, and mom can hear pretty much anything in the house.

“Nothing.” I manage.

Tilly stays quiet for a moment, her turquoise eyes boring into me. She has an uncanny way of reading my thoughts. I blame it on the fact that she was created from my own mind. Even though she’s now in her own body, I don’t think she’s ever fully gotten out of my head.

“That bitch did it, huh?” She says harshly. “She finally fucking let herself get caught. That little…”

I look at her and she stops herself. For a moment we lock eyes and she knows exactly what I’m thinking.

“Oh fuck no, this is not your fault at all. Don’t you dare blame yourself one bit. This bitch is not getting away with this.” She hisses, then turns and storms out of the room. After another few moments I hear the front door slam shut and then I’m left in silence. Mom and dad probably won’t come to me, not yet. They’re good at giving me the space I need. I close my eyes and before long I fall into a blissfully dark sleep.