- 4.
Ashley was my best friend from college and
the only one who supported my decision to break up.
Once, in college, Mark and I were supposed to study together at the library.
Getting up at seven on the weekend wasn’t
easy, and even though I rushed, I was still two
minutes late.
Mark crossed his arms and frowned.
“Jennifer, can’t you be on time for once?”
“What if you had an important meeting? A
multi–million dollar deal?”
I started to apologize, but Ashley pulled me
<
#UIL mmmon donar your
I started to apologize, but Ashley pulled me
behind her.
“Getting up early on the weekend to study
with you is inhuman. Jen did great just
showing up!”
“And she was two minutes late, sheesh. Get
over it!”
From that moment on, Mark and Ashley didn’t
get along.
Ashley loved praising me. If I got the second- highest GPA, she’d say something. If I passed my exams, she’d celebrate. She’d tell me
“Good job!” when I got up early.
She’d say “Don’t listen to Mark girl, you’re
<
She’d say, “Don’t listen to Mark, girl, you’re
awesome!”
It was the kind of encouragement I had never
gotten.
I loved being around Ashley.
But Mark sneered at it. “She only says that to
make you conceited so you don’t see your
flaws.”
“Being humble is how you see your flaws.
11
Being direct is how I help you.
When talking about Ashley, Mark would frown
slightly.
I knew that’s how he acted when he was
upset. I knew I’d be scolded.
I wanted to tell him she wasn’t like that. But I
was afraid. I didn’t dare.
I was too scared of Mark’s anger and his
criticisms.
When Ashley heard about this, she just
sighed. “Being controlled is hard to get out
of.”
“Just take it slow.”
So, Ashley was thrilled when she heard I had
decided to break up with Mark.
She hugged me and whispered, “Congrats,
<
decided to break up with Mark.
She hugged me and whispered, “Congrats,
Jen, you’re finally free.”
