My BFF Loved Him, I’ll Let Them Burn

Chapter 4

Through months of nonstop practice, I climbed my way up the competition ladder. From the school level to the city, then from the city to the state.

After beating round after round, I snagged second place at the state tournament.

Once my name got out there, event organizers started reaching out left and right.

Within a single week, I hosted over a dozen events and made my first real chunk of change.

I sent some of it back home to my folks. My dad couldn't stop laughing on the phone, saying his girl was making it big.

With the market trends from my past life fresh in my mind, I decided to take that money and start my own business.

Got my license sorted out, then started the paperwork for a campus startup space. The school was all about encouraging student entrepreneurs, so they had this whole policy in place.

The rent was covered by the university. Every penny saved counted.

Ever since I'd laid it all out for Maya that night, she'd moved out with Miles.

Even without that fight, she would've left anyway. Around this time in my past life, Miles was already scouting out apartments.

She never showed up to class either. Same as before, she found someone online to take attendance for her. Barely kept her participation score afloat.

I was in the dorm sorting through some paperwork when Maya came stumbling in, mascara all over her face. She didn't even shut the door, and this cold draft came howling in.

Must've caught Miles locking lips with someone else.

She was out on the balcony, crying so hard she could barely string words together. Still, I caught bits and pieces. Breakup being the main one.

Molly, who was reading nearby, caught my eye and gave me a look.

After that fight, Molly and I had gotten closer. We hit the library and classes together most days.

Our other roommate was tight with people from another dorm, so we didn't really cross paths.

After squatting on the balcony sobbing for what felt like forever, Maya finally came back inside.

Her eyes were ringed with smudged mascara, and she had a couple of fake lashes stuck to her cheek without even realizing it.

She bit her lip, hovering behind me, before she finally spoke.

"Zoe, I get it now. Why you never wanted me to be with him. Miles is total trash.

"I should've listened to you. Should've stayed far away from him..."

She shoved her arm in my face, covered in bruises, all pitiful.

"Look what he did to me."

In my past life, I would've jumped up right then, comforted her, and told her to let bygones be bygones.

Then she'd have talked me into going after Miles, and I'd have ended up with those photos taken of me.

And she'd have gone right back to him.

I didn't say a word. Maya leaned in to see what I was looking at.

Molly was quick. She slammed her book down over my papers.

Maya's face turned green with rage.

"What's that supposed to mean?! Zoe and I are best friends. Of course she'd show me!"

I let a faint, bitter smile creep across my face and shot her a sideways look.

"Didn't you just say I never really saw you as a friend?"

Panic flickered across Maya's face. "You know how I am..."

Before she could finish, I grabbed Molly and headed out the door, leaving Maya standing there with her jaw hanging open.

I wasn't about to fall for her sweet talk again.

We hadn't even made it past the dorm building when Maya came running past us.

Phone pressed to her ear, she was saying, "Miles, you got me that ring that can only be custom-made once in a lifetime?

"Then I guess I can find it in my heart to forgive you!

"You're so sweet, Miles. I love you so much!

"I almost let someone talk me into breaking up with you, but I'm so glad I remembered how amazing you are..."

...I wanted to scream.

No wonder Miles hated my guts back then. All thanks to Maya and her big, lying mouth.

That so-called once-in-a-lifetime ring? Miles got it for four ninety-nine on some cheapo site.

Back then, I already had my doubts about him, so I searched for the same one online. Sure enough, I found his review in the comments section.

Recognized it by the bracelet on his wrist. The one with Maya's name on it.

When I told Maya about it, she turned right around and said I was just jealous she got a diamond ring.