Page 61 of Secrets and Lies
“Do you hate me?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper, as her tear-filled eyes meet mine.
“No,” I say softly. “I’m hurt, and I hate that you didn’t just talk to me about what you were going through. And I really hate that you cheated on me, but I don’t hate you.”
Slowly, she pulls her ring off her finger and extends it to me.
Numbly, I take it and stare into the little prisms of light emanating from the massive stone.
“Tell people whatever you want,” I say, my voice hollow and as empty as I feel. “You can blame the breakup on me if that makes it easier.”
“West…”
It feels like I’m disconnected from my body, like I’m hovering over it and watching myself in the third person as I stand up and slide the ring into my pocket.
We stare at each other for a few seconds, then she looks away, and without a word, I turn and leave her room.
Now I have to find a way to tell my family about the breakup and deal with the entire school knowing that not only is my relationship over, but that my fiancée changed her mind about marrying me three months after saying yes.
If this isn’t a sign that I’m going to die alone and no one will ever truly love me, then I don’t know what else the universe has to throw at me to get the point across.
11
ANTHONY
I’m just openingmy closet to put my helmet away when my phone vibrates with a notification.
Putting the helmet on my nearby desk instead, I dig my phone out of my pocket, and a slow smile spreads over my lips when I see the text app is active, and I have a new text from West.
Opening our text thread, I sit on the edge of my bed and read his message.
West: have you heard the news?
Anthony: what news?
West: that I’m the biggest loser to ever loser
Anthony: is that what people are saying?
West: yup
West: are you sure you go to silvercrest? Literally *everyone* is talking about it
Anthony: I was off campus for a bit, just got back and haven’t talked to anyone yet
West: ah, that makes sense. I’m sure you’ll hear all about it soon enough
West: wait, you went off campus for a bit?
I understand his confusion. Silvercrest isn’t just known for its world-class education, tiny class sizes, or how its degrees are essentially golden tickets into any industry, business, or educational institution graduates want.
One of the biggest draws of the school is how isolated it is. The campus is literally in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by thick, inhospitable woods and the best security that money can buy. The only things nearby are a small town where the school staff is housed and a private airport.
We have the freedom to come and go as we please as long as we sign in and out at the main gate, but since there’s nothing to do and nowhere to go, most people don’t bother leaving unless they’re flying out or taking a day trip.
Anthony: went for a ride
West: a ride?
Anthony: on my bike
