5
I’d already pieced together what happened
from the others.
<
After Jamie and I went outside, Amy started
gossiping about me.
She said I was stingy and mean.
It was because one time, Jamie and I went to
the Bahamas, and Amy wanted to tag along.
I politely told her I wanted some alone time
with Jamie.
But Amy didn’t seem to get it. She came
anyway.
The first day, Amy didn’t want to go out
because she was afraid of the sun. So, Jamie
stovod in the hatol with har and nloved video
く
stayed in the hotel with her and played video
games all day.
The second day, we finally convinced her to
leave the hotel.
Then she started complaining about her
stomach and her head. So, Jamie booked the
earliest flight home.
The trip I’d been planning for months was
ruined.
I got angry and snapped at Amy.
Amy started crying.
<
“I’m sorry, Riley. I just wanted to bond with
my future sister–in–law. I didn’t mean to ruin
anything.”
Jamie stepped in to defend her, but he was
clearly on Amy’s side.
“Amy’s just trying to be nice… Besides, Amy’s
family. If we get married, she’ll be your sister
too. Can’t you cut her some slack?”
Family. Sister.
Those words made me back down, again.
Because back then, I really loved Jamie. I
<
wanted to be a real family with him.
I was willing to change myself, give up who I
was, to be with him.
I was even willing to swallow my pride and
put up with Amy’s BS.
But Amy was never satisfied.
She’d talk behind my back.
“Maybe it’s just me, but I think Riley’s being a
little bitchy, getting mad over something like
that… It makes her seem so mean.”
And Lily overheard.
L
Lily couldn’t take it anymore and blew up at
Amy.
Now, seeing me walk in, Amy wasn’t
embarrassed at all.
She looked almost smug.
“Riley, I was just saying what I thought.
You’re not mad, right? Can’t you control your
friend? She’s blowing this way out of
proportion. Isn’t she just trying to cause
problems between us?”
She glanced at Lily, smirking.
She was sure I’d do what
I’d do what I always did· cave
<
She was sure I’d do what I always did: cave,
apologize, and put Jamie first.
Even if it meant turning on my best friend.
But she was about to be disappointed.
I looked her in the eye, and I said, clearly and
carefully.
“Yes. I am.”
