Hashtag Heartbreak

Ashton Miller

Waking up the next day, Mina experienced a sense of calm that took her by surprise, especially in the aftermath of the previous day's events. As she lay in bed for a moment longer, her mind wandered through the years she had spent with Ted. She recognized, perhaps for the first time with such clarity, that their relationship had always lacked a certain depth of passion. Yes, she had loved him, but their connection had always been missing that indefinable spark that she'd heard so much about. This realization brought a strange sort of peace, mingling with the hurt and betrayal.

Stacy, her best friend, had always been wary of Ted. "There's something off about that guy," she'd often said, skepticism clear in her tone. Stacy worked in the building next to Mina's journalism department, making it easy for them to catch up over quick coffees or after-work dinners. Stacy's intuition about people was something Mina admired, even if she hadn't always heeded her advice.

While Mina was in the bathroom, brushing her teeth and pondering over these revelations, her phone started to ring. Without needing to check, she knew it would be Stacy. News, especially of the sort involving public humiliation and heartbreak, traveled fast, and Mina braced herself for the conversation. Stacy, undoubtedly, had caught wind of the situation and was calling to offer her support, or perhaps to say, "I told you so."

"Hey," Mina said casually, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy despite the tumultuous events she had recently endured.

"What the actual f**k!" Stacy exploded from the other end of the line, her voice a mix of shock and anger. Mina flinched, not prepared for such a visceral reaction, but she attempted to keep her tone light, "I'm guessing you have heard."

Heard? I Saw! The video is running viral with 5 million views," Stacy screamed back, her voice laced with disbelief and indignation.

At Stacy's words, Mina's actions froze, and the comb she was about to run through her hair slipped from her grasp, hitting the floor with a thud. She had tried to shield herself from the fallout of that night by muting notifications from everyone except for a few close friends and family members. Mina had hoped that by ignoring the wider reaction, she could find some semblance of peace, at least temporarily. However, Stacy's revelation shattered that illusion completely.

"Oh, God," Mina managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. The room felt like it was spinning, and she reached out to steady herself against the bathroom counter. "I... I didn't know it was that bad."

Stacy's tone softened, her initial shock giving way to concern. "Mina, I'm so sorry. This is... it's unbelievable. We need to do something. Do you want me to come over? We can talk about what to do next."

Mina, still grappling with the reality of her situation, felt a wave of gratitude for Stacy's unwavering support. "Yes, please," she said, her voice trembling. "I don't even know where to start."

As she ended the call, Mina realized that ignoring the situation wouldn't make it disappear. With Stacy's help, she would have to face it head-on, though the thought of what that entailed filled her with dread. For now, the immediate comfort was knowing she wouldn't have to do it alone.

Arriving beneath the familiar shadow of her workplace, Mina swiftly dialed Stacy’s number, stepping into a slice of morning light that cut through the urban canyon. She had slipped away from home, craving solitude over the well-meaning concern of her family. Stacy, ever her anchor, worked in a different world altogether, yet fate had amusingly placed their professions side by side. The proximity of Mina’s journalism building to the hospital, where Stacy served with compassion as a nurse, had become a cherished coincidence, allowing them to steal moments for quick coffee breaks and unwinding chats.

As Stacy appeared, her approach quick and concerned, she enveloped Mina in an embrace that spoke volumes of shared history and understanding. “Gosh! I hope you’re okay,” Stacy murmured, her voice a balm to Mina’s frayed nerves. Mina could only nod, finding comfort in the familiarity of her friend's presence.

“I want you to meet someone,” Stacy said, a hint of intrigue in her tone. Stepping aside, she revealed a man whose presence seemed to command the space around him. Dressed in a sharp black suit, his allure was undeniable, capturing Mina’s attention with an intensity that took her by surprise. She caught herself staring, a reminder echoing in her mind that it was too soon, far too soon, to entertain notions of attraction.

“Who is he?” Mina inquired, curiosity piqued despite her reservations.

Stacy’s smile widened, her eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and secrecy. “This is Ashton Miller. He came across your video,” she began, her words painting a picture of chance and fate intertwining. “His girlfriend was a patient at our hospital. When he found me frustrated over that video, he inquired about it, revealing he had already seen it. Ashton might just be the help we need.”