Backup Girl No More: Adios To My V-Card and My First Love

Chapter 12 The celebration was intimate just family and close friends from high school .

Still , the grand ballroom felt overwhelming .

Everyones eyes widened when they saw me there , like theyd seen a ghost .

I could almost hear their thoughts : Whats she doing here after everything ? I just smiled politely and made small talk , playing dumb .

But you couldnt miss their not so subtle glances , the whispered conversations that stopped when I walked by .

Four years of high school had taught me exactly what gossip looked like .

Needing to escape , I stepped onto the terrace for fresh air .

Thats when I heard voices from around the corner where his friends had cornered him by the service entrance .

Seriously ? I thought she was done with you after the whole Madison thing at the party .

Now shes crawling back ? Aidens laugh was cold , entitled a sound Id never heard from him before .

Please .

Shes just being dramatic .

Give her a few days you really think shed walk away after all these years ? She doesnt know how to exist without me .

I dont know , man , his friend said .

Brooklyns pretty great .

All those years together , the way shed drop everything for you … most guys would kill for a girl like that .

Yeah , childhood sweetheart versus dream girl thats rough .

Whats your game plan ? Aiden was quiet for a moment .

When he spoke , his voice was calculated .

Look , Brooklyns great , sure .

Sweet girl , totally devoted .

But it feels like settling , you know ? Im eighteen who wants to be tied down to their high school girlfriend forever ? Thats such a cliché .

I want to experience college life , meet new people … besides , he laughed , shell always be there waiting , keeping the light on like a good little girlfriend .

His friend went quiet .

Finally punched his arm .

Youre such an asshole .

I couldnt stomach another word .

I slipped away silently , my designer sneakers soundless on the marble floor .

The evening air hit my face as I rounded the corner , and I finally let the tears fall .

Six years of memories played through my mind like a highlight reel of my own stupidity .

Every shared secret , 17:41 Backup Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 8.6 % Chapter 12 every late night call , every Ill always be there for you all just convenient lies from someone who saw me as a backup plan .

I leaned against the balcony railing , watching the city lights blur through my tears , hating myself for being so blind for so long .

For believing that the boy next door routine meant something real For thinking that growing up together meant growing old together .