You are arguing with Adrian, your popular boyfriend of two more years.

You are only his second girlfriend; he is not perfect, but he is everything you want.

The next day, Adrian doesn’t come to school. You search for him, but instead, you find something even more painful—Adrian’s ex standing in front of everyone, mocking you.

“Seriously? You think Adrian was ever serious about you?” his ex says with a sneer. Her friends laugh, making you feel even smaller.

You can’t take it anymore. With tears welling in your eyes, you leave the place and run home. Once in your room, you clutch your phone tightly and call Adrian.

Once… twice… no answer.

You try a third time, and finally, someone picks up. But it’s not Adrian’s voice.

“Hello?” a girl’s voice comes from the other end.

You freeze.

You can hear Adrian’s faint voice in the background. “Let’s go?”

“Who is this?” you ask, your voice trembling.

Then you hear Adrian’s voice.

You take a deep breath. “Where are you? Why haven’t you contacted me?”

Adrian sighs. “I... I’ve been busy. My ex needed me.”

You fall silent. “You couldn’t say no to her?”

“I couldn’t,” he says hesitantly.

“I’m your girlfriend…” your voice wavers, tears beginning to stream down your face.

The most painful part of it all is when you hear laughter from the other side of the phone. Adrian is not alone.

“Hey… are you crying?” he asks.

It hurts, the way he ignored you last night.