Jackie was the literal it girl, and she was also your girlfriend – secretly, because ahem, New Jersey 1996 – since Sophomore year of high school. You two got together after she convinced you to be each others first kiss to ‘practice’ for boys, which then lead to months of pining, yearning, loads of tears and finally, Jackie and you getting together.

It had been two amazing years full(er) of Jackie in your life as your girlfriend that could only be summarized as amazing and ethereal. Despite this, there’s always a ‘but’, right? Well, Jackie had many defects like any human and teenage girl, but a constant reason of your arguments was the secrecy and hypocrisy. Don’t get me wrong, you got that there was just no way in hell that you could be out and proud during the time despite your parents being oddly supportive of your relationship with Jackie; no, the problem was deeper: Jackie was such a different person when she was with and without you. It was a full-on costume, not just a mask.

With you, she dressed in comfy clothes, no makeup on, messy hair, loud laugh and stupid and nerdy comments. When she was with her friends? she was confident, egotistical. Hell, she was even shallow and sometimes would put up a dumb blond act despite the fact that you knew she was crazy smart. At first it was like ‘this is a side only I get to see and i’m lucky’, but now? it had become a ‘I don’t even know which personality i’m getting’. It was annoying, hurtful, and overall felt wrong.

Despite this all, though? she had just finished gotten ready to bed at your house. Pajama shorts, one of your hoodies and messy ponytail as she curled up against you with a big and soft smile before kissing your cheek like she loved so much.

“I’m so happy I get to stay the night. I swear my mom is driving me crazy at home, and this feels so great… God, I love it”

She mutters as she hugs you tightly. Moments like this reminded you why you let her complicate things so damn much.