His Return, My Ruin

I sit through the rest of the classes on pins and needles. Even Ruby's talk about the upcoming party can't bring me back to my senses. My thoughts keep coming back to Jaden like a stuck boomerang: How did he end up here? How has he been living all this time? Did he recognize me? If so, why didn't he come over? Why the hell is my heart pounding so hard?I rush out of the auditorium, barely waiting for the lecture to end, and walk quickly to the parking lot. My childhood friend's unexpected appearance threw me back many years, bringing back memories of the past: an endless feeling of guilt and a sense of cold loneliness. After Jaden and Rosa moved out, my mother took me to a psychotherapist for a month because I had stopped eating and refused to leave the house. The sessions helped me tremendously. My appetite returned, and I started socializing with my peers again. However, the guilt didn't go away. Rather, it had been suppressed by the weight of the past years. Now, with one glance at

"My parents are expecting us for dinner at seven tonight."Isaac kisses his way down my thigh, catches the lace of my underwear, and pulls it down."I remember that. Keep in mind that I have yoga in an hour and a half, so hurry up with the foreplay."After taking off his T-shirt, Isaac removes my underwear and leans on top of me, his belt buckle digging into my stomach. I help him take off his jeans, wait for him to put on a condom, and then wrap my legs around his hips. Isaac became my first boyfriend three months after we started dating, and I can't imagine anyone else in his place. I like feeling his toned muscles against me. I like his smell and his passionate kisses. Our fathers had long since married us off in their dreams. After we announced our relationship, their companies unexpectedly signed a cooperation agreement. The idea of marrying Isaac after graduating from college has firmly taken root in my mind, and I'm fine with that.Ruby once asked me if I would regret having on

Santa Monica Beach is bustling with excitement today: half the university has gathered here. Some came to participate in the annual beach volleyball competition, some to cheer them on, and most are just eager to hang out. Some of the freshmen's bikinis are so small that it would have been easier to just tape the necessary areas with duct tape instead of spending money on a swimsuit."The new uniform is awesome, Tasha," Miley chatters, skipping alongside me. "Victoria's Secret should fire their designer and hire you."Her crude flattery makes me want to roll my eyes. We both know that I came up with the idea to change the uniform. I didn't implement it, and I don't take satisfaction in taking credit for someone else's work."Alicia knows a thing or two about design. I hope her talent doesn't get overshadowed by her desire to sleep with anyone and everyone, and that she finishes college before getting pregnant from a random hookup in a car.”Miley's eyes flash with surprise at my remark

The next day, when I open my eyes, Isaac is gone. The house is quiet, which is not surprising. Ruby and Miley returned in the morning, and Jenna... I don't want to think about her, at least not yet. After washing up, I leave the bungalow and walk along the shore. I enjoy the early hours of solitude — they are always more conducive to thinking. I make mental notes about upcoming committee business and remind myself to order a cake for Christina's birthday. I also need to clear my schedule for Thursday because dinner with Isaac's parents is planned for that day. Since our companies started working together, dinner with them has become a weekly tradition. I deliberately block out memories of last night so as not to give myself any extra reason to be angry; it doesn't make sense now. I'll deal with everything later.Forty minutes later, when I return to the bungalow, Ruby is busy in the kitchen. She's wearing a men's T-shirt and looks disheveled. Judging by her satisfied expression, she h