"Hey, handsome," Crystal said, her voice overly sweet as she walked up to Jason at the basketball court.
Jason and his friends were seated nearby, killing time after practice, tossing comments back and forth and laughing lazily. The court still smelled of sweat and dust when Crystal suddenly appeared, confidence rolling off her as if she owned the place. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around Jason's neck, pressing herself close like it was still her right to do so.
Jason stiffened instantly.
The laughter around them died down. He gently but firmly pried her hands off him and stepped back. A slight frown settled on Crystal's face, confusion flashing in her eyes before irritation took over.
"So now I can't even touch you?" she asked, stepping forward again, her tone sharp.
Jason's jaw tightened. "I respect my girl too much," he said coldly. "So back off."
The words hit hard.
Crystal's face flushed instantly, her lips parting in disbelief before anger crept in. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, nails digging into her palms.
"You used me, Jason," she snapped, her voice rising. "And now you wanna dump me?"
"Wanna dump?" Jaden scoffed, leaning back with a lazy grin. "Girl, you're already dumped."
"Yeah," Jake added bluntly. "Besides, you ain't the first, so get used to it."
Crystal spun toward them, eyes glossy, breathing uneven. "Yeah, I get it," she said bitterly, then turned back to Jason. "But why her?"
Her voice cracked despite her effort to stay composed. "You ditched me to choose her."
She gestured vaguely, like the answer was supposed to humiliate him.
"How is she any different from the rest of the girls you've used?" Crystal demanded. "How is she different from me?"
Jason exhaled slowly, clearly done. "Ugh, I'm not going to entertain this," he muttered before walking away, his friends following without looking back.
Crystal stood there, breathing hard, watching him leave.
I was seated at the cafeteria with my friends later that day, enjoying a bowl of fresh meatballs and yogurt, half-listening as Jasmine animatedly complained about prep, when Crystal sauntered toward us.
Her steps were sharp. Purposeful. Her eyes were locked on me.
She stopped right in front of our table.
"You," she said angrily, pointing straight at me.
Then, as if on cue, she burst into tears.
"Why do you have to take him away from me?" she cried loudly, her voice echoing through the cafeteria.
I froze for a split second.
Wow, I thought. She's really committing to this.
"You knew how much I loved him," Crystal continued, wiping her eyes dramatically. "Yet you still took him away from me."
The cafeteria buzzed instantly.
"I heard they were best friends," a girl whispered, not bothering to lower her voice.
"Why would she do that to her best friend?" someone else added.
"Crystal and Jason were so happy together until she came into the picture," another voice said.
"She's so cruel," someone muttered. "I don't even know why the mean girls are so loyal to her."
The noise piled up, layer after layer, pressing in on me. Eyes stared. Fingers pointed. Judgment hung thick in the air. Anyone watching would've thought I was heartless.
But I saw exactly what Crystal was doing.
Anger surged through me.
I slammed my palm against the table. The sharp sound cut through the noise, snapping heads in my direction.
I stood up on the table, straightening my back as I scanned the cafeteria, making sure every single person was paying attention.
"I get it," I said calmly. "Y'all have been waiting for a day like this to finally say everything you think about Jason and me."
The room quieted.
"Crystal and I were never best friends," I continued. "As a matter of fact, I met Crystal for the first time here at Elites High."
Crystal stiffened. Her sobs faltered.
"I believe Jason knows what's best for him," I said firmly. "He chose me over Crystal because he actually knows what he wants. So if any of you have a problem with that—deal with it."
I hopped down from the table and walked straight toward Crystal. I stood right in front of her, holding her gaze. For a brief moment, neither of us spoke.
Then I let out a soft giggle.
And walked away.
Later that afternoon, I went over to the boys' room with my friends for a little chit-chat before afternoon prep.
"I heard what happened at the cafeteria," Jason said, watching my face closely. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," I replied, resting my head against his chest. "Just one of Crystal's dramas. Now everyone thinks I purposely snatched you away from her."
"How on earth did you ever get attracted to that freak?" Chloe asked, folding her arms.
Jason chuckled. "C'mon, the girl is beautifully endowed."
I frowned immediately and shifted away from him.
He noticed at once. "C'mon, mi amor," he said softly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to praise another girl in your presence."
"Whether in my presence or my absence," I said, still frowning, "never dare to praise any girl—especially your exes."
"Let alone that freak," Jasmine scoffed.
"Girls, I'm sorry," Jason said quickly.
We burst into laughter.
"You girls are a piece of work," Jaden teased.
"I heard a rumor that you and Crystal were once best friends," Jake said, and suddenly all eyes turned to me.
"Yeah," Chloe added. "That rumor didn't sit well with us. And for some reason, I'm getting jealous."
"Oh please," I said dismissively. "That was false."
"That's a lie," Jasmine said. "Remember that day at the cafeteria when you almost passed out?"
"Yeah," Ivy added. "The day Crystal said something that triggered a part of you you're clearly trying to forget."
Jason turned to me immediately. "What's going on?"
"From my observation," Jasmine said slowly, "you two know each other too well."
"That's why she asked us to back off and leave Crystal for her," Ivy added.
I exhaled deeply, the weight of it pressing down on me.
"Alright," I said quietly. "Crystal and I used to be childhood best friends… until we fell apart."
"What happened between you two?" Jake asked.
I rested my head on Jason's chest and closed my eyes.
"I don't want to talk about it," I said with finality.