The HeartAche

The next day at school, Jazzy didn't just act distant—she was a ghost. She walked right past Bri in the hallway without looking up.

Oh my god, why is she ignoring me? Why did she just avoid me? She hates me. She’s leaving me.

Bri caught up to her, breathless. "Hey! Why are you avoiding me? Did I do something wrong?"

Jazzy stopped, looking exhausted. "No, you didn’t. I think it’s just me. I’m sorry, Bri, but I can’t be in this relationship with you anymore."

"No!" Bri shouted, her voice echoing in the hall. "You have to stay with me! You promised!"

"I'm sorry," Jazzy said, walking away.

Bri collapsed. A full-blown panic attack took over, her lungs refusing to take in air. She left me. I’m all alone. I’m empty.

Vera found her minutes later, huddled against a locker. "Bri! What’s wrong?"

Through sobs, Bri told her. Vera tried to comfort her. "It’s okay. We’re gonna get through this."

"No," Bri wailed. "I’m all alone! She was all I had!"

"I'm right here though," Vera reminded her, hurt.

"I know," Bri whispered. "I still have you, but it’s different. I don’t know how to explain it."

Hours later, Bri was home, her eyes glued to her phone. She saw a post Jazzy made she was out with her friends, looking happy. Bri began to scroll. She checked Jazzy’s followers, her comments, her reposts, looking for a "why."

She saw a photo on Jazzy’s story of a specific street corner. Bri grabbed her keys and drove there immediately. She parked across the street, watching from the shadows of her car. She saw Jazzy come out of a building, laughing... and then a girl Bri didn't recognize walked up and took Jazzy’s hand.

Bri’s heart shattered again. How could she do this to me? Why? She was all I needed. Bri didn't care who saw. She fell to her knees on the sidewalk, screaming and crying. People walked past, looking at her like she was crazy, but Bri was in a world of her own.