When Roman walked into the gym, he had a huge smile on his face, as he usually did. He walked up saying “Hi sweet stuff. Couldn’t wait to see me later?”
He leaned in to hug her and she jerked back. That’s when he actually looked at her face and knew something was wrong. He cautiously asked “Isis, is everything alright?”
She had zero time to prepare for this conversation, but she wanted answers now. She just blurted it out. “I heard you and Ava in the hall.”
He didn’t say anything right away. It took him a few seconds to reply in a nonchalant tone “What? Oh… oh yeah. She’s been really annoying lately.”
“What do you mean she’s been annoying? You guys talk? Are you friends?” Isis questioned.
“No we’re not friends. She uh, just asked to hang out one time and now she wants to hang out again. I told her no but she’s been pestering me.”
Isis’s heart was beating faster. She felt so jealous, and so hurt. He should have told her they hung out. “When did you hang out? And why? You told me yourself she was a “shallow bitch”. And she’s always giving me dirty looks at school!”
He started to look nervous when she continued questioning him. “What did you mean when you told her ‘It meant nothing’ because that sounds like more is going on. SHE SAID HI TO YOU ON MY BIRTHDAY. Roman, please tell me what’s going on.” Her voice was cracking by the time she finished.
She refused to look away from him. She watched as he swallowed audibly, and replied “We hung out during summer, while you were grounded. I ran into her and her brother on the sidewalk and we got to talking. I went to their house and we had some drinks. A while later we were alone and… she kissed me.”
Isis didn’t need to hear more. She turned and ran away from him. He raised his voice, saying “Isis, wait, it’s not what you think…”
She didn’t stop, and he was still talking as the gym doors slammed behind her.
As much as she did NOT want to go to Jackie’s house because of her nasty stepdad, the thought of going home and seeing her parents was even worse. They could read every expression on her face, and she wished she was better at hiding things from them.
Isis sat on Jackie’s bed, occasionally wiping tears from her cheeks, while Jackie paced in her room. They were discussing everything that had been happening with Roman over the past couple of months.
Jackie was making her point clear, “Babe, whether he cheated or not, he was definitely lying to you and keeping something very important from you. You should NOT put up with that.”
Her heart was breaking and she didn’t have the energy to argue with Jackie. But Jackie was probably right and she knew it. Her phone was in her hand, and her fingers trembled as she texted Roman that it was over.
She understood people made mistakes, but he kept it from her. Was he ever going to tell her if she hadn’t confronted him? What hurt the most was that the kiss with Ava happened so soon after the night they spent together at her house. The night they had messed around more than they ever had. They hadn’t said the words before, but she thought she had loved him. Then everything started to feel different. She realized she had known, deep down, that something else was going on. And with AVA? She felt so betrayed.
Jackie told her “I know it hurts but I’m so proud of you for standing up for yourself. You deserve so much better.”
Isis cried. Jackie held her. She cried some more.
When it got late, Isis knew she had to go home so reluctantly said goodbye to Jackie. Jackie kissed her cheek and told her she loved her.
Isis said “I love you so much, Jackie. Thank you for being my best friend.”
Jackie put on a smile but her eyes reflected sadness as she said “Jacksis forever, babe.”
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