Notes even more detailed than the ones he’d
made for me. Mark taking her to watch the
sunrise, his head resting on her shoulder as
he slept, the morning light illuminating his
profile.
She seemed to be deliberately recreating
moments from my open Facebook profile,
mirroring things Mark and I had done
together.
Lily had sent me these same photos in my
past life.
I’d been so enraged, I’d slapped her.
That incident had cemented Mark’s
perception of me as jealous and
unreasonable.
After college, I’d given up my comfortable
life, moving into a rundown apartment with
peeling paint. Mark worked on the tech, I
chased investors, and we’d huddle together
for warmth after countless rejections.
I’d trace his fingers, saying, “When you make
it big, we’ll travel the world! We’ll ski in
Switzerland, feed pigeons in Italy!”
He’d boop my nose, promising we would.
But when his company took off, he cashed out and became CTO of a more promising
startup.
The money came, but the promises were
forgotten.
Now, looking at these photos, I felt nothing.
I compiled them into a Facebook post.
The caption, short and sweet: “Best wishes.”
No one was blocked. It was out there for
everyone to see.
My comment section exploded with question
marks.
Much later, Mark replied with a single word:
“Okay.”
After that, everyone assumed we’d broken up.
Finally, some peace and quiet.
<
Mr. Henderson, hearing about it, was thrilled.
He dragged me to his office, showering me
with praise, practically spitting in my face
with excitement. “Your grades are improving!
You’re finally focusing on your studies
instead of Mark! You’re going to ace those
college entrance exams!”
10
Mark started opening up to Lily.
During a rare free period in gym class, Lily
fell during a game, crying out. Mark rushed to
her side, his eyes filled with concern. He
pulled her up, his voice sharp. “Are you an
idiot? Be careful!”
When she fell asleep at her desk, he’d turn,
shielding her face from the sunlight filtering
through the blinds with an open textbook.
A silent gesture of protectiveness.
Golden sunlight dappled the classroom.
The sleeping girl and her devoted knight.
<
Finally, they got together.
The gossiping glances in class shifted
towards me.
