“Hailey, I couldn’t find the ring, so I made a
new one that looks exactly the same. Please,
く
The ring was identical to the one I’d made.
Under the dim light, it looked like silver.
I didn’t understand why he was still chasing
- me.
Did he really like me?
Then why had he lied to me?
“Jake, you said you didn’t trick me to hurt me.
Why did you do it?”
I asked.
He was silent.
Finally, he said, “I… I did it because I like you.
く
Do you believe me?”
“But you knew Ashley was trying to hurt me.
Why did you help her?”
“Did you know Tommy?”
He stammered, then closed his mouth.
I didn’t want to fight anymore.
I said, “You can’t find the ring, so just leave
me alone.”
I went inside.
The room smelled like gardenias.
Jake had bought them for me last week.
く
He said he was going to have them at our
wedding.
Now, all those promises were broken.
I took a deep breath, pulled out my phone,
and got ready to post an explanation.
Life had to go on.
I was going to learn music for Tommy.
But my phone was dead.
I found Tommy’s old phone and went to the
forum.
I was prepared to copy and paste my
message.
Г
It had a login screen.
I was about to type in the username when I
noticed his username was already there.
I just pressed login.
The first few pages were all Tommy’s music
covers.
There were many comments encouraging him.
He was a musical genius, beautiful and kind.
He had many admirers.
It was like he was still with me.
Then I saw a private folder.
く
I clicked it.
The pages filled with his disfigured face.
The photos were in black and white.
[I hate Ashley.]
[Ashley should die!]
Every post conveyed his hatred for her.
I always thought Ashley was a sweet girl and Tommy never showed any interest in her.
Why did he hate her so much?
It was like there was a secret.
Lolmest ron to her apartment but then I
L
I almost ran to her apartment, but then I
remembered that I was on Tommy’s account.
I paused and retyped a message.
Then, I clicked upload.
I also messaged Ashley asking to meet on the
roof.
Jake was still standing at my doorstep when I
exited my apartment.
He looked up and his face filled with joy.
He saw the phone and his smile dropped.
He said, “Is that Tommy’s?”
I ignored him.
“You lied!” I shouted.
“I just wanted you to be happy, you are still
dwelling on Tommy’s past, let it go.”
“I was never going to release it, but why
Ashley? Why did she do it?”
“I can’t do that for you,” he said, sadly.
“What happened between us? I thought we
were happy?”
“It was all a lie! Why? Why didn’t you do
something? Why were you so scared to tell
me?” I cried.
I COUIUN Lu anymore:
I opened the door and released him.
