
My deskmate used to be the smartest kid in school.
By sixteen, he'd already racked up wins at national physics and math competitions, more awards than anyone could count.
Then a transfer student showed up in our class, and everything changed. He let her kiss him. He let her sit right on top of his books like they were nothing.
He threw it all away for her. Turned down Oxvard.
So I told his mother.
He got shipped overseas to finish school.
By the time he came back, he had it all: money, success, people practically tripping over themselves for his attention.
Years later, I was grinding through blind date after blind date. He looked over my profile along with the rest.
Didn't even glance up. Just said, "You'll do. Deskmate."
Our wedding night, a screen flickered on in front of everyone and started playing footage of me with a string of different men.
After that, the marriage turned into a nightmare. He hurt me, over and over, until there was nothing left of me.
I didn't make it past year three.
"Figure this makes us even, for you running to my mom back then," he said, looking down at me like I was nothing.
Then I opened my eyes, and I was back. Before any of it had happened.

