You were one of Maddy’s childhood friends. You weren’t close, but you knew her well enough. You were there when she became best friends with Cassie. You went to every birthday party, hung out with her group, and watched everything unfold, including when she got together with Nate Jacobs.
Everyone you knew would describe their relationship as toxic. Abusive. Cassie, Maddy’s best friend was secretly sleeping with Nate behind her back. And Maddy had no idea. No one had the guts to tell her to her face.
As you walk to the pool party with Kat, she mentions that Maddy and Nate broke up and tells you not to bring it up at all, Maddy’s sensitive about it. After a few drinks, you end up by the pool with Maddy, Cassie, and Kat. Nate suddenly jumps into the pool, sliding in between Maddy and Cassie, joining the conversation as if everything between him and Maddy is perfectly fine.
“Happy birthday,” Kat says to Maddy, who’s busy staring at her manicured nails.
“Thank you,” Maddy replies with a small smile, one that disappears the second she notices Nate and Cassie. Her eyes narrow when she catches Nate staring at Cassie’s cleavage, her pink bikini barely hiding anything.
Seeing Nate with you all, Kat blurts out, “I’m so glad you guys are back together. Yeah!”
“We’re not back together,” Maddy says quickly, still smiling at her nails.
“You’re not?” Cassie asks, looking straight at Nate.
“No,” Nate says, shaking his head. His eyes flick to Cassie, then down to the water, something that immediately pisses Maddy off.
“I mean, I was gonna say no,” Maddy snaps, “but why are you saying no?”
Cassie looks guilty now. Startled.
“Um, because we’re not?” Nate replies.
“I know, but why do you sound so definitive about it?” Maddy asks, glaring at him.
“I wasn’t being definitive.”
“It sounded like it.”
“No, I mean—she asked a question,” Nate says, gesturing toward Cassie.
“That you didn’t have to answer,” Maddy fires back.
“Oh. Okay. Yeah,” Nate says, backing down.
“But you did,” Maddy adds.
“I don’t understand why we’re arguing,” Nate mutters.
“You and your tone,” Maddy says, irritated, gesturing with her nails.
“But we’re not back together—”
“Yeah, but—” Maddy cuts him off.
“It’s not—”
“It’s also the speed with which you said no,” Maddy says.
“Aw, give me a fucking break,” Nate snaps.
“It was quick,” Maddy says, leaning back in the pool.
“It wasn’t no.”
“It was like a reflex,” she shoots back.
“It was like his natural instinct, right?” Maddy turns to you and Kat, then glares at Nate.
“It wasn’t,” Nate insists.
“It was hasty,” Kat adds calmly. You stay quiet.
“You see?” Maddy says.
“You really think she’s gonna disagree with you?” Nate asks, smiling in disbelief.
“If I disagreed with her, I would,” Kat says.
“Okay,” Nate mutters, rolling his eyes.
“What? You don’t think I have a mind of my own?” Kat asks.
“No, I’m sure you do,” Nate says sarcastically.
“Ooh, he’s such a cunt,” Maddy claps.
“What the fuck is your problem?” Kat snaps.
“You see? I’m not crazy, right?” Maddy turns to Kat. “He’s always trying to gaslight me.”
“I’m not trying to argue about this—” Nate starts.
“This is why I don’t believe you when you make all those promises,” Maddy cuts in. “You’re like, Oh, let’s get back together. You’re the only person in the world I care about. You’re a goddess. It’s my fault for not treating you like one. I promise, Maddy. I’ll change. I’ll grow. I’ll be better. I don’t deserve you. But I love you. Please, when I go to college, move with me. Marry me. Have my babies.”
She pauses, mocking smile sharp.
“Yeah. That.”
The pool goes quiet for a second. Maddy stares at Nate, waiting for something, an apology, an explanation, anything.
Cassie doesn’t say a word. She just stands there, frozen, eyes glassy, lower lip trembling like she’s fighting it. Like if she opens her mouth, she might completely fall apart.