Loathing My Brother's Bestfriend

~Quintessa~ "Mom, I don't need condoms," I whispered over the phone, glancing around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "I know, honey. But you're nineteen already, it's okay to have sex." She said after a heavy sigh. "Okay, does Jason know you've moved there already?" She asked and I could hear the excitement in he tone. "Um... No, he doesn't. I plan on surprising him later today," I chuckled with a mix of shyness and eagerness rushing through me.. I couldn't wait to see my boyfriend, Jason after months of our long-distance relationship. He was my senior by a year when we were in high school, and he tutored me. Ever-charming in my eyes, and forever the boy I fell for. I really couldn't wait to wrap my arms around him and kiss him senseless. "Tessa," Mom called my name with a note of warmth. "Mom, " "Why haven't you told him already?" She asked. I didn't open my mouth because if I did, I'd definitely stutter. How could I tell her that my boyfriend, since high school, had not been responding to my texts and calls? "I want to surprise him," I said simply as I smoothed my hair. A part of me hated the taste of that bitter lie. The answer was simple. I hadn't told my boyfriend I'd moved to his college because he was probably busy with other things like every second-year student, right? "Bye, Mom. Our professor will be here shortly, and I have to finish my painting," I said to her, picking my brush from the palette. "Fine, honey. Remember to have fun, but not too much" That was her way of reminding me to mingle with the outer world and stop being indoors. This had been my life, every day since I gained admission to study Art at Manhattan Bay College. Mom would call almost every single day, and I liked it that way. That way, she didn't have to worry about me. My older brother, Dan had given her shitty worries when he newly gained admission. He'd always been cold and distant since my Father died, so I understood his part. He'd once told me in his defense that he didn't like Mom sounding worried whenever she called, so he always avoided and responded only a few times. "Quintessa Wren!" The professor's voice echoed through the room. My chest stopped. I didn't realize he'd already walked into the hall. Heads turned towards me and that was when it registered—it was my name. "Are you done with your painting? Come forward to show the class?" He instructed. At that moment, I knew I was doomed. By the time the class ended, I met with my friends—Olivia and Alice, both scholars. The two friends I'd made in a month of resumption. Alice was the extreme extrovert, Olivia the introvert while my personality was stuck somewhere between theirs. Coincidentally, Alice happened to be my roommate—our third roommate hadn't even returned. "Look who's all glowy," Alice beamed as she came up to me from behind. "I'm meeting Jason today." A natural smile crept to my lips. They'd heard about Jason, a million times from my mouth because I wouldn't stop yapping about him. Their faces warmed as they cheered me. "Good luck with meeting him then, Tess." Olivia patted my back lightly before we parted ways. My plan was as solid and as straight as a pencil. I'd contacted his high school friend who was in Manhattan too, and Josh had agreed to take me to his place. When Josh arrived in his car to pick me up, we exchanged surface-level greetings until he drove me to Jason's place. "He stays alone?" I asked, walking through the main gate with Josh. "Of course. Your guy is a big boy here," My guy. I loved the sound of that. I wasn't surprised. Jason was from a well-off family already, and that was enough. "The entry pin is 5572. I have somewhere to be, I'll catch you later." He told me, heading back into his car. I barely had enough time to thank him before he drove off. I was standing outside my boyfriend's house, bubbling with excitement as I held my "bag of gifts" tight in my hand. One minute, I was standing outside, and the next, I'd pressed the button and entered his apartment. I walked around, until I got to the bedroom. I could hear voices. Moans. Erotic and feral. I shouldn't have pushed that door, but I did. And when I did, I saw the worst that sent my heart bleeding right there. "Jason." His name left my mouth quieter than intended. He was in bed with a girl—naked and she was riding him. And he was MOANING for her. The bag in my hand dropped to the floor, yet they didn't notice I was there. I could literally feel a tear in my chest as my eyes watered. I blinked back my tears, my fists tightening as their moans filled the air. I'd never felt so degraded in my entire life. What would be the point of waiting? So I could tell him the things he didn't know? I turned, heading out of the house. I kept walking— just making sure I landed one foot in front of the other. I dialed Josh's cellphone when I was out of the house, but he didn't answer it so I walked to the nearest station and boarded a bus back to campus. When I settled in, I didn't care if the tears were going to fall or not. I threw my gaze outside the window, allowing New York City's breeze to blow on my face and probably my burning heart. The tears fell. Jason had been cheating, all this while, and I didn't have a clue? No. Maybe I had a clue, and I was the stupid one who was totally blinded by love. When I got back to my dorm, I didn't speak to anyone. I headed straight to my headspace, holding it back until Alice asked a simple question that triggered it all. "Did you meet Jason?" I didn't say a word. I turned to her and when her gaze softened, a weak sob broke on me. "Jason... Jason was cheating." All the pain finally broke from my chest, every part of me reacting to the betrayal. She held me close to her in a deep hug while I sobbed it all out. *** I didn't check my phone, but I knew Jason still hadn't called or reached out, and I made sure I didn't say a word about it. When Mom called, I told her I'd met him and he was very happy to see me— a lie I forced myself to tell her. "You need to go out today. You've been indoors for the past two days." Alice scolded, her hand brushing my shoulder. "I'm not in the mood to go out—" "Have you guys had closure or anything?" Her tone quieted, eyes glaring as though she could force the truth up my throat at that moment. I shook my head. " Um... I.. I have something to tell you, Stella" Alice's tone was unusually calm and sober. I raised my eyes to hers, but she looked away. " I know Jason a little too well..." She let out a heavy sigh. "Almost everyone in Manhattan Bay knows him as a playboy," My breath hitched. I shut my eyes tight in hurt and embarrassment. To think that I'd ever talked about him to her was a mistake I'd always regret for the rest of my life. "Why... didn't you tell me?" She looked away nervously, her knuckles forming into tight fists. "I didn't know how to. You're my friend and I... I.." "It's okay," I said quietly. Our little moment was interrupted by a knock on the door. "That must be our new roommate." She said, heading over to open the door. I pushed myself to the bed, allowing her to answer the door. It opened and a girl walked in—dirty blonde-haired. Slim. Too arrogant. She pushed her luggage in while Alice watched the girl pretend as if she didn't exist. I sat up, raising my head when I saw him leaning against the balcony outside. Jason. "Babe, come in." She called him from inside. He walked in, our eyes mirrored and he didn't look away. My eyes watered, and I squeezed my fists tight so that my long nails dug into my skin. "Hello, girls. I'm Cynthia, your new roommate," she introduced herself, but I didn't give a single reaction. Jason's eyes didn't leave mine. It didn't hold guilt or regret. Nothing. Just emotionless. "And this is my boyfriend, Jason." That line broke everything I was gathering to rearrange inside of me. It broke the last thread of hope. "He's helping me move in." She added, but that part was too faint to break the fog in my head.