1.

Lori

Tonight was the night the secrecy ended. It was my twentieth birthday.

For six long months, Travis insisted on keeping our relationship a secret. He wanted us away from campus gossip. I agreed back then because I loved him. But tonight, everything was going to change. He promised me a public announcement at my party.

I smoothed my hands down the fabric of my emerald silk dress. Tonight was not just about the announcement. It was also the night I planned to give him my virginity. I wrapped my innocence up like a gift for this birthday.

"Are you not tired of staring at yourself yet?" Jessica asked from the doorway. She leaned against the wooden frame, swirling a bottle of tequila.

Ann, my other roommate, walked up behind her. She jabbed Jessica with some sharp daggers. Then she looked at my dress and smiled. "Ignore her, Lori. You look beautiful. Twenty looks great on you. Just promise me one thing tonight."

"What is that?" I asked, turning around.

"Promise me you won’t let Jessica force you into doing body shots off the kitchen island," Ann said.

"Hey! That is a classic birthday tradition!" Jessica argued with a laugh. She took a giant drink straight from her tequila bottle.

Even though I laughed with them, my eyes kept darting to the counter. My phone sat flat on the marble. I had not gotten a single text from Travis all evening. My roommates knew I was seeing a guy, but they did not know it was Travis.

Travis was the star wide receiver for the football team. He was a golden boy on campus. I hoped our big reveal tonight would be perfect.

"I won't do the shots," I promised Ann. I swallowed the lump of nervous excitement in my throat. "Tonight is going to be unforgettable."

By ten o'clock, our apartment was packed. The air was a mix of sticky floors, neon lights, and cheap beer. The heavy bass of the electronic music shook the walls. Guests flooded into the space with chaotic energy. Usually, I loved parties. But tonight, I acted like a hawk, scanning the crowd constantly.

Every time the front door opened, my chest tightened. I hoped he was the one walking inside.

A few minutes before eleven, he finally arrived. Travis walked through the door looking handsome in a black jacket. His arm was caught by a passing frat brother. They started talking before he could even look for me.

My stomach did a flip. I pulled out my phone. My fingers flew across the screen as I typed: You are late, babe. I am waiting for that big announcement. I am ready when you are, X.

I watched him from across the living room. Travis felt his phone vibrate. He pulled it out. The blue light illuminated his jawline as he read my words. I waited for a smile. I waited for his eyes to search for me.

Instead, a deep frown appeared on his face. It seemed like the text had irritated him. He locked his screen, slid the phone into his pocket, and continued his conversation.

A cold splash of ice water hit my stomach.

"Hey, birthday girl, you look like someone just died," Jessica said, appearing beside me. She thrust a glass filled with amber liquor into my hand. "You are entirely too sober. That is a crime on your birthday. Drink up."

Anger, hot and sharp, replaced the cold dread. If Travis wanted to play games, fine. I was not going to spend my birthday pining in a corner. I slammed the shot back. The harsh burn cut through the numbness in my throat.

"Give me another one," I demanded, setting the glass down hard.

Jessica’s eyes lit up. "That is my girl! Let's go!"

Three shots later, the room was spinning. The music was too loud. The neon lights blurred into blinding streaks. The anger in my chest curdled into a nauseating wave.

The alcohol did not numb the disrespect. It magnified the pain. Clutching my stomach, I pushed through the sweaty bodies in the hallway and rushed into the guest bathroom.

I barely made it to the toilet bowl. My birthday dinner made a violent reappearance.

I wiped my mouth with a damp towel. I stared at my pale reflection in the mirror. My emerald dress looked crumpled. My lipstick was smudged. The excitement was gone from my heart, replaced by a fierce clarity.

I did not want a public announcement anymore. I just wanted an explanation. Travis did not look excited about letting everyone know about us.

I unlocked the door and stepped back into the hallway. The party was still going strong in the living room.

However, Travis was nowhere to be found. I walked around and asked some guests for his whereabouts. Most did not know. Finally, one girl pointed her finger toward my bedroom.

I stormed toward the door, hoping to find him alone so we could talk. But the moment I opened the door, I wished I had never looked for him.

The scent of cheap vanilla perfume choked the air. Elena, the captain of the cheer squad and my tormentor since freshman year, was arched beneath Travis on my bed.

Travis’s large hands gripped her hips tightly. His bare back glistened with sweat under the dim light of my bedside lamp.

My world stopped. The heavy bass from the living room muted completely, replaced by a high pitched ringing in my ears.

"Travis?" My voice was a whisper. In the small room, it sounded like a gunshot.

Travis froze instantly. He snapped his head around so fast his neck popped. Elena looked over his shoulder. A malicious grin spread across her lips. She pulled my sheets up mockingly to cover her chest.

"Oh. Oops," she purred. She did not look sorry at all.

"Shit! Lori, wait!” Travis scrambled off the mattress, frantically pulling up his jeans.

"Don't," I said. My voice was dead. "Don't you dare say my name ever again."

"Lori, please, listen to me. I drank too much. She came onto me—" Travis reached out to grab my arm as I backed away.

"Get your filthy hands off me!" I snapped. A white hot fire roared into my veins.

I looked at the messy bed. I looked at the boy I was willing to give everything to tonight. I felt utter disgust in my soul.

"We are done, Travis. Get the hell out of my room right now."