CHAPTER 1: The Perfect Girlfriend
Evelyn POV
The idea that if I loved someone enough, they would love me back was the first lie I ever discovered. I believed that lie when I was ten. Even at the age of 18, I still believed it. Perhaps that was my biggest mistake.
"You're looking at your phone again."
I looked up from the kitchen counter to see my father watching me through the rim of his coffee mug. Thomas had perfected the art of appearing disappointed without saying anything.
"I am not staring," I said.
He raised an eyebrow.
I exhaled. "Alright, maybe a little."
A little is an understatement. Jason's name sat at the top of the screen. Not a single new message. No missed calls. Nothing. I'd texted him nearly two hours ago. Good luck at practice today! ❤️. The message remained marked as delivered. Not read. No response.
My father took his seat across from me. "When's the last time that boy called you?"
I knew exactly who he was referring to. "Jason calls."
"I wasn't asking that." I shifted my gaze away. My father made a low sound under his breath. That usually meant he was trying really hard not to start an argument.
"He has hockey practice," I explained.
"He has hockey practice every day."
I crossed my arms. "He's occupied."
"Everyone's busy, Evelyn."
I detested these conversations. They would always end the same way. My father claimed Jason wasn't good enough, and I defended him. We keep having this conversation. My dad shakes his head. "You make excuses for him," he continued.
I grabbed my backpack from the countertop. "I have classes."
"Evelyn."
I paused at the door. My father's expression softened slightly. It happened rarely enough that I noticed each time. "You deserve someone who has time for you."
I forced a smile. "Jason does." The words felt rehearsed. Like something I had said so many times that I stopped questioning it. My father did not seem convinced. I didn't, either. But I left before he could say anything more.
The Texas heat engulfed me the moment I stepped outside. I climbed into my car and drove to campus. My phone remained silent the entire way.
The university's parking lot was crowded. Students walked between buildings, carrying books and coffee cups. Everyone else's lives appeared to be easy. I parked and headed to my first class.
Someone called out my name about halfway through. "Evelyn!"
I turned around. Chloe Bennett jogged toward me. Her blond hair bounced behind her. She looked flawless as always.
Perfect clothing. Perfect smile. Every man's dream, unlike me, a nerd who always wears sophisticated glasses and sucks at fashion. But at least I drew the attention of the most attractive guy on campus.
"Hi," I said.
She linked her arm with mine. "You vanished after study group yesterday."
"I had an assignment."
"There is always an assignment for you."
I laughed. That was most likely true.
Chloe cast a glance at me. "Did you hear from Jason?"
My stomach tightened. "A little."
"A little?" "
He has practiced."
Chloe gave me an odd look.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing." I frowned. She quickly smiled. "Nothing, forget it."
Before I could ask any more questions, her focus shifted across the courtyard. Several students were cheering outside the athletic building. The hockey team was wrapping up practice.
I spotted Jason right away. Everybody always did. He stood out without trying. Tall. Athletic. Confident. The type of guy who stands out the moment he walks into a room. I still felt my heart skip a beat when I looked at him. which, after almost two years of dating, was embarrassing.
One of his teammates said something that made Jason laugh. His eyes then fell on me. His face lit up with a smile. In an instant, all doubt vanished. I returned the smile.
Jason strolled over. The crowd appeared to automatically part for him. "Hey, babe." My stomach did a flip-flop as he kissed me on the lips, ignoring the stares of nearby students. At the very least, he publicly acknowledges our relationship. Despite my awkwardness, he did not hide me. That's enough proof that my father, Jason, genuinely cares. My cheeks flushed as he pulled away.
"How was practice?" I asked.
"Long." He checked something on his phone and hardly gave me a glance.
Chloe grinned at him. "Coach still torturing you?"
Jason laughed. "Every day." The two of them slid right into conversation. I am grateful that Jason and Chloe get along well.
Jason eventually returned his attention to me. "Are you okay?" He asked
I blinked. "Yeah."
He nodded. Then his phone vibrated. My heart always flutters at the slight attention.
Jason wrapped his arm around my waist.
"Movie tonight?"
The uneasy feeling subsided. "Really?"
"Sure."
My smile returned immediately. "What time?"
"I'll text you."
I nodded. "Okay."
He gave me a kiss on the forehead. Then he left. Just like that.
Chloe watched him go. "So."
I gave her a look. "So, what?"
"You're smiling."
I couldn't help myself. "Maybe."
She gave a dramatic roll of her eyes. "You're hopeless. "Maybe I was.
The rest of the day was a blur of classes and assignments. By evening, I was sitting on my bed, waiting for Jason's text. Six o'clock had passed. Then seven. Then eight. Nothing. I looked at my phone again. And again. And again.
Eventually, a message appeared. Sorry. Dinner with the team. I can't make it. I just stared at the screen. That was it. No apology. No offer to reschedule. Nothing. Just a single sentence. My heart sank.
A moment later, another message appeared. A rain check? I stared at the message for a long time. I typed back. Sure ❤️. The heart felt silly. I sent it anyway.
A few seconds later, he responded. You are the best. I smiled despite myself. Perhaps that was the problem. I forgot about all of my disappointments with one tiny crumb of attention.
The following morning, I awoke early. Tomorrow was my birthday. Nineteen. It was not a significant milestone. But a part of me hoped for something special. Perhaps Jason was planning something. Perhaps that is why he has been so distracted lately.
The thought followed me through class. Through lunchtime. Throughout the drive home. I was smiling as I walked through the front door.
My father immediately noticed. "What's happened?"
I flopped onto the couch. "Nothing."
"You only smile like that when it comes to Jason," he teased.
"Perhaps," I said laughing. He groaned. I threw the pillow at him.
For the first time that day, I felt light. Excited. Hopeful. Tomorrow was going to be different. It needed to be.
That night, I lay awake and stared at the ceiling. An idea gradually formed in my mind. Jason was always the one who planned things. Perhaps this time I can surprise him. The thought made me smile.
I grabbed my phone and opened the notes app. Tomorrow morning. His favorite cake. His favorite coffee. A birthday surprise visit before practice. Perfect. As I came up with
the plan, excitement fluttered in my stomach.
