I Stopped Orbiting Her

The bouquet was gone from my hands, but the rough stems still scraped against my fingertips.Cold, too.Amanda didn't even look at me.She turned and handed the bouquet to Nathan."Nathan, these flowers look better with you."Nathan Gore was her older college friend. Back then, everyone called him the hottest guy on campus.He was also the perfect future husband her family had picked for her.Nathan took the bouquet and glanced my way, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips."Amanda, Ryder's not gonna mind, right? Your mom was just telling us yesterday to make things official."His eyes stayed on me the whole time.The challenge in his eyes was obvious.Our old college friends had no clue. They just started cheering."Just date already!""Amanda and Nathan are literally perfect together.""Looks like we've got another wedding coming!"I stood there, arms still shaped around a bouquet that wasn't there anymore.Empty.Just like the seven years I'd wasted.Amanda finally

After I got home, I blocked Amanda everywhere.Then I packed up everything she'd left at my place.Her dresses.The game console she liked.The cheap stuffed animal she'd bought me on a whim.Looking at it all, I slipped into old memories.Sophomore year, I forced myself into a finance minor I didn't even want, just so we'd have something in common.Junior year, her stomach issues flared one night, and she called me in pain.I ran through the rain for medicine, stayed by her bed all night, and made her chicken soup.The next morning, she woke up, found me asleep beside the bed, and only said, "Thanks."Later, we got together.Even as her secret boyfriend, I was happy.I learned to cook for her, burning my hands again and again, all because she once mentioned craving homemade food.I stayed up until three helping her sort company reports, then dragged myself to work the next day with dark circles under my eyes.She took everything I gave without blinking.But whenever any

The room went dead silent.I looked at Nora in shock, then slowly turned to Amanda."What are you talking about?"Amanda stepped toward me, reaching for my hand.Nora moved in front of her, cutting her off.Amanda glared at me over Nora's shoulder, her eyes turning cold."I'm not making this up. Don't let her fool you. What kind of person throws away her own friend over a guy?"She only wants one thing. She'll sleep with you, then toss you aside when she's done."I looked at Amanda's familiar face.Once, I'd thought it was the prettiest face in the world.One tiny frown from her could wreck my whole day.But now, watching those lips spit out something so ugly—My stomach turned.Worse than the allergic reaction earlier.I stepped out from behind Nora and met Amanda's eyes."Amanda." My voice stayed calm. "You're so messed up, you think everyone else is too. I don't know what Dr. Neilson was like back then. But I do know one thing."You disgust me."I didn't give Amanda

Third-Person POVAmanda had been on edge lately.She'd thought a little pressure would do it.Cut off Ryder's supplies, and he'd come crawling back like always, begging her to forgive him.But a full week passed.Ryder never came.Worse, she heard the project was moving along just fine. Better than fine. They were using upgraded materials now."Damn it!"Late that night at a bar, Amanda slammed her wineglass onto the table.The alcohol blurred her judgment but sharpened the panic crawling under her skin.She pulled out her phone and called Ryder out of habit."Sorry, the number you have dialed..."Blocked.Again.She grabbed the bar phone and, with shaking fingers, punched in the number she knew by heart.The phone rang twice before someone picked up."Hello? Who's this?"Amanda froze.It wasn't Ryder.A woman's cool, low voice came through the speaker.In the background, she heard a keyboard clicking and Ryder muttering under his breath."Why does this computer ke

At the celebration dinner for winning the bid, everyone was riding high.I even had a few glasses of red wine.Just enough to leave me pleasantly buzzed."Ryder, congratulations! You carried this project!""Seriously, Nathan looked ready to explode. That was priceless."My coworkers crowded around, raising their glasses.The room echoed with laughter and cheers.Then the private dining room door flew open.Amanda stumbled inside, reeking of alcohol.Her hair was a mess.Her blouse was crooked.The polished, confident Amanda everyone knew was gone.The room fell silent.Amanda walked straight toward me, eyes red, and reached for my hand."Ryder, come home with me."Nora started to stand beside me, but I gently pressed her back into her seat.I got up.I swayed a little, but my head was clear."Ms. Sheffield, wrong room? Isn't Mr. Gore's celebration next door?"Amanda didn't seem to hear the jab.She stared at me, panic and desperation finally breaking into her voice.