Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Ana

“What time are they expected to arrive?”

“Oh, probably around six, give or take. Neither of them has sent their RSVP yet.”

“Do you need me to swing by and help you get set up?”

Typical Courtney - always there to lend a helping hand. But turning 19 isn't a big deal anyways. We'll have our own celebration when we're back home next week with other friends from the pack. This is all about the college crew and my boyfriend, Alex.

"No, I'm good. Thanks for offering though."

I've been so excited all week. This will be my first celebration with Alex since we became a couple two months ago. I still get giddy when I say it - my boyfriend. Our relationship only took off in April when we finally confessed our feelings for each other. He's tall, over 6'2, with brown wavy hair and green eyes - an Adonis of a man, who is popular among guys and girls alike. He's the captain of the football team and quite the legend, but he's all mine.

I had a few hours before Alex, Brad, Gill and Shauna arrived, so I decided to take a hot shower. With my hair still damp, I put some makeup on. Most people would probably say I'm an average-length girl with an attractive figure and dark, straight hair. My eyes are a deep shade of brown, a common trait passed down from my Italian ancestors. My cousin Courtney, who many people think is my sister, has the same characteristics. We pretty much grew up as siblings.

I put on a bright yellow dress that brought out the tan of my skin and take a final look at my reflection. The hem hits mid-thigh, revealing a tattoo I had purposely chosen to show Alex tonight. Growing up the way Courtney and I did, I've learned not to trust people easily, so I'd kept this part of me hidden from my college friends until now. This will be the second semester's end, and I am ready to share my more about my past with Alex and our other friends. Alex was introduced to me on the first day of college, and he later introduced me to his cousin Brad and his girlfriend Gill. Then there is Shauna, a friend of Gill's who is polite enough even though I don't know her well. Since Alex and I started dating, I haven't seen her around much, but I'm looking forward to finally seeing them all tonight, since our relationships became official.

It's nearly 6 o'clock and I'm getting the dinner table ready in my small two-bedroom abode. I live off-campus, which was something my dad only let me do if I agreed to stay away from the college campus so he could check up on me. I didn't want to cause any issues, even though it can be lonely living in a house by myself. Courtney usually visits me, and I manage to get my studies done. The only reason why I'm at college is to make a name for myself. In three years I'll have to head back home and help out with the family business.

Tonight I made Alex's favorite chocolate cake and made pasta carbonara for dinner. It’s almost 18.30, and there is still no word from them. I check our messeanger and can see that they all read the invitation, but neither has responded. At 7 pm, I try to call Alex, but it goes straight to voicemail. I don’t want to look desperate, so I don’t call the other guys. They are always together anyway. At 20.30, after several calls and texts to Alex, I realize they are not coming.

The table I set, the cake is in the fridge, I even open a bottle of wine, but all for nothing. They stood me up. I feel so disappointed. Could it be some reason for this?

My phone rings, and I eagerly reach for it. It’s Courtney.

“Ana…”

“Yeah.”

“They didn’t show?”

“Nope. How do you know?”

“Because they are at the same party as me.”

What the actual f*ck.

"Are you serious?”

“Yeah. Ana, I’m sorry, but you should look at Shauna’s I*******m post.”

“Why?”

“Just do it right now, okay, and then call me. I will handle it.”

She hangs up, and I open I*******m. It’s my first post on my account, and it’s a video of Shauna and Alex. The captions read “honoring five years as friends with benefits with a romp” and the video shows Alex and Shauna in the throes of passion.

My heart breaks, and I feel so alone. Humiliated and betrayed. Why the hell would they do something like this to me? Why would they pretend to be my friends? Why would Alex want to be in a relationship with me only to humiliate me? It makes no sense. But I don’t have time to dwell; Courtney calls me again.

Before I can say hello, Courtney says,” I wrecked Alex's car.”

I laugh. Of course, she did. My best friend will do anything for me.

“I just don’t understand why they would do something like this to me, Court? I feel so hurt by their action. Why would Alex cheat on me? Is it because we haven’t had sex yet? Couldn’t he wait?"

“They are posh jerks that think they are better than all of us. I’m pretty sure Shauna is the brain behind it all. She never seemed to take a liking to you.”

“Yeah, I guess.” I can feel my eyes tearing up, and I try to hold a sob back, but I can’t. I loved Alex. I thought he loved me too.

“I’m, sorry babe, but at least you got to know it now and not later on before you have decided to stay.”

She is right. I guess knowing it now is better than later, but it still stings. We hang up after an hour where I sob uncontrollable before I finally fall asleep. 

On Sunday, I clean the house, pack my stuff and make the call.

“I accept” that’s all I say, and then hang up. I look at the time and conclude I have around 24 hours before it’s all done. 

I hear nothing from Alex, and that’s alright. I will never forgive that looser ever again. If he only knew what he lost. That coward.